The Italian passenger car market confirms its expansion phase in March: new registrations stood at 185.367 cars, marking an increase of 7,6% over the same month in 2025 (172.271 units). The first quarter closed at 484.802 cars, with a growth of 9,2% compared to January‑March of the previous year, a sign of recovering demand. However, the sector still remains below pre‑pandemic levels: the cumulative total is about 10% lower than in 2019, testifying to how the recovery is underway but not yet complete.
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Car market: growth in Italy in March
On the power source front, the clear leadership of hybrids is confirmed, dominating the market again in March with a share of 50,2% (+4,8 points compared to a year ago) and a weight of 51,3% in the first quarter. Within this segment, full‑hybrids represent 14,8% while mild‑hybrids account for 35,4%, reflecting both the wide range offered by manufacturers and buyers’ preference for solutions that combine efficiency and practicality. Traditional engines show a decline instead: petrol falls to 20,2% (-6,5 p.p. in the month) and diesel loses almost a third of its volumes, falling to a 6,5% monthly share.
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Widespread electrification
Significant progress was recorded by pure electrics and plug‑in hybrids: BEVs rose to 8,6% with 16.137 registrations, a value significantly higher than the 5,4% of March 2025, while PHEVs reached 9,1% against 4,6% a year ago. According to Unrae, “it is necessary to intervene urgently on the issue of incentives. The dealer network has advanced them out of their own pockets, exposing themselves for millions of euros and bearing significant financial burdens. The delay in reimbursements is putting hundreds of businesses under pressure. It is therefore essential to guarantee certain and rapid disbursement times, giving priority to correctly managed files, to protect the stability of the supply chain and strengthen the credibility of public measures”.
