Spain’s NEV Share Reaches 31.5% in October as BYD Rises to Fifth

Spain’s passenger vehicle market continued to expand in October, with new registrations reaching 98,487 units, up 1.8% year over year (YoY). The figure marked the strongest October performance since 2007 and extended the market’s growth streak to five consecutive months, according to the latest data from the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC).

From January to October, new vehicle registrations totaled 1.01 million, up 6.2% YoY. Félix García, ANFAC’s director of communications and marketing, said the current growth trajectory puts full-year sales on track to exceed 1.2 million units in 2026.

Electrified vehicles remained the market’s main growth driver. Combined sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) reached 31,044 units in October, surging 43.1% YoY. Their combined market share climbed to 31.5%, crossing the 31% threshold for the first time in a single month.

For the first 10 months of 2026, electrified passenger vehicle sales reached 248,343 units, up 37.6% YoY, accounting for 24.6% of the market. In other words, roughly one in four new cars sold in Spain during the period was a BEV or PHEV.

José López-Tafall, ANFAC’s director general, said both BEVs and PHEVs were gaining wider consumer acceptance. Spain’s shift toward electrification is accelerating, he said, but policy continuity remains essential if the country is to catch up with the European average.

The rising NEV share is also reshaping the competitive landscape for Chinese automakers in Spain. BYD’s January-October sales reached 39,690 units, overtaking MG’s 37,453 to become the country’s best-selling Chinese brand year to date.

BYD continued to gain ground in October, selling 5,306 vehicles, up 19.6% month over month (MoM). The result lifted it to fifth place in Spain’s overall passenger vehicle rankings and marked its third consecutive month as the country’s top-selling Chinese brand.

MG, by contrast, sold 3,055 vehicles in October. Although sales edged up MoM, the brand fell to 14th place in the monthly rankings.

Omoda and Jaecoo, both part of Chery Group, cooled from their September highs. Omoda sold 2,152 vehicles and Jaecoo 1,203, bringing their combined October volume to 3,355 units. Together, they maintained sales at the 3,000-unit level.

Leapmotor, which leverages Stellantis’ sales network, remained the leading Chinese startup brand. After reaching 1,705 units in September, its October sales came to 1,698, largely unchanged MoM, indicating a relatively stable market position.

Other Chinese automakers also continued to expand their presence. Geely sold 1,777 vehicles in October, climbing to 20th place from 26th in September and extending its strong growth for a second consecutive month. Changan, including its Deepal lineup, sold 929 units, while Lynk & Co delivered 291 and XPeng 234.

With electrified vehicles now accounting for more than 30% of Spain’s monthly passenger vehicle market, Chinese automakers are broadening their presence beyond isolated successes. BYD’s overtaking of MG in both monthly and year-to-date sales marks a significant shift in the pecking order among Chinese brands in Spain.