New Car Registrations Climb 13% in H1

The number of new passenger car registrations in Hungary rose 13.3% to 74,905 in the first half from the same period a year earlier, the Hungarian Association of Vehicle Importers (MGE) said on Friday.

Growth in the electric vehicle segment remains strong. In the first six months, 7,498 electric passenger cars were registered, representing a 43.7% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth continues to be driven by government subsidies, corporate fleet purchases, and an increasingly diverse range of models.

The market for plug-in hybrids grew even more dramatically. In the first half of the year, a total of 5,653 plug-in hybrid passenger cars were registered in Hungary, with the number doubling in just one year. Plug-in hybrids continue to play an important role in the market for alternative-fuel vehicles, particularly among those who wish to combine the benefits of electric mobility with the flexibility of a conventional powertrain.

LRegistrations of light commercial vehicles have essentially stagnated: a total of 11,792 new light commercial vehicles were registered between January and June, 0.1 % less than a year earlier. The segment’s performance continues to be driven primarily by corporate and fleet purchases. Following the more subdued figures from the spring months, the uptick in June suggests that the market may return to a stronger growth trajectory in the second half of the year. Demand continues to be steadily supported by needs related to e-commerce, logistics, and urban freight transport, according to the MGE.

Alone in June, new car registrations increased 31.1% year-on-year to 15,096. Excluding re-exports, the number climbed 26.7%.