Germany remains the largest European producer of PHEVs in the 1st quarter of 2024
- Germany remains the largest European producer of plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV) in 2023 and the rest in the first quarter of 2024.
- This situation is explained by the fact that Germany produces a wide range of PHEVs, in particular Premium carmakers such as Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Porsche which are particularly well established in the country. It is indeed necessary to remember that PHEVs are mainly developed by Premium carmakers because the additional costs of this technology is acceptable on an already expensive luxury car but unacceptable on a much cheaper car produced by mainstream carmakers.
- If the production volume of PHEVs is increasing in Germany, it is due to greater demand for this type of vehicle in Europe but also in China where German exports (which represent the majority of European exports to China) are banking on PHEVs (which now represent 1 in 10 exported cars) to offset their difficult position in the BEV market. However, the Volvo XC60 and Ford Kuga are the most produced plug-in hybrid vehicles in the first quarter of 2024 while they are produced in Sweden (for the Volvo) and in Spain (for the Ford).
- Slovakia has become the second European country producing PHEVs thanks to the production of several models of this type, such as the Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, Audi Q8, Kia Ceed, Kia X-Ceed, Kia Sportage and Land Rover Defender. The Netherlands will no longer produce PHEVs in 2024 because the production of the Mini Countryman has been transferred to Germany.