Tesla caught by the pack

A sneak peek into our latest September/Q3 edition of our monthly European Electric Car Study (€) published by Schmidt Automotive Research identifies that Tesla has effectively been caught by the volume pack when it comes to BEVs. 

French social leasing scheme and Italian subsidies likely to put a stumbling Stellantis back on track in Q4.

Hyundai Motor Company (inc. Kia) is the primary upward mover on strong new products (EV3/Inster) alongside Chinese OEMs and Renault Group (R4/R5). Renault Group is also likely to be a main beneficiary of the domestic social leasing scheme during Q4. 

BYD  show strong upward momentum, but concern remains that the growth is coming mainly from low-hanging, low margin fleets, with little appetite yet seen from German and French markets. 

Premium performance:

BMW Group is taking a breath as it transitions from gen. 5 to gen. 6 BEV models (Neue Klasse), while the first sustained positive growth momentum has been spotted at Mercedes-Benz on the CLA rollout, with the MBEA GLC and C-Class to follow in 2026.

The full transition from EX30 from China to Europe, which interrupted Volvo Cars/Geely momentum, is set to resume and further so from 2026 as the European-made EX60 is rolled out. Strong Polestar growth, outnumbering Porsche BEVs by over 10,000 units so far this year, is helping offset disappointing Smart volumes under their Mercedes/Geely JV guise. 

Full details, data, trends and background information can be found in our industry-leading studies, trusted by stakeholders breaching industry divides. 

Source: Schmidt Automotive Research 

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*Western Europe 18 Markets: EU Member States prior to the 2004 enlargement plus EFTA markets Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, plus UK