ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The motor vehicle market starts on 2026 with a positive signal: 141,980 registrations in the month, an increase of 6.2% compared to 133.721 of January 2025, thanks to the very strong increase of short-term rental. The comparison with the pre-pandemia period remains however penalizing: compared to January 2019 there are still about 23,300 units (-14.1%).
On the end of the year, the prospects remain cautious: for 2026 the forecast UNRAE confirms a weak demand and a volume of 1,540.000 registrations, in slight increase (+0.9%) on 2025, with a limited recovery (about 14.000 units). Compared to 2019, the gap remains wide (-19.7%, equal to 377,000 cars less), confirming the level of balance emerged in the last three years in a range between 1.5 and 1.57 million. For the two-year period 2027-2028, the Association estimates a market still under 1.6 million.
On the power supply front, the effect of incentive cars is more consistent with structural demand: the share of electrics as well (BEV) is at 6.6% (9.446 units), decreased compared to peaks of November (12.2%) and December (11.0%), but growing compared to 5.0% of January 2025.
The plug-in hybrids (PHEV) continue to show a sustained dynamic, thanks to an offer of models in expansion and new provisions on corporate cars in fringe benefits: the January share reaches 8.7%, slightly down on 9.3% of December, but clearly above 3.7% of January 2025.
UNRAE continues the action to speed up the procedures that allow the repayment of the amounts anticipated by the Concessionaries: the sector is financially exposed for more than 300 million euros, with the risk that any delays can be reflected also on the time of registration of the incentive cars. On Friday, 30 January UNRAE participated in the Automotive Table convened by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, a moment of confrontation between institutions and representatives of the sector in a decisive phase for the future of the European automotive industry.
The goal is to contribute to more pragmatic positions and adhere to market dynamics, in the awareness of the complexity of the ongoing transition. In his speech, Roberto Pietrantonio, UNRAE President declared: “In a particularly delicate phase for European automotive, it is essential that Italy can dialogue with the main European partners starting from common references. Today the Italian market of the ECV is around 15.3%, compared to 27% or 30% of countries like France and Germany, which represent key interlocutors in the next discussions on the future of the sector. To fill this gap, concrete and effective tools are needed: a targeted reform of the fiscality of the company fleets – intervening on detraibility of VAT, deducibility of costs and amortization times – can give an immediate impetus to the market, speed up the renewal of the circulating park and promote the diffusion of vehicles to zero and low emissions, respecting a pragmatic approach and technological neutrality”.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
