U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #282: August 25, 2003
Diesel Sales Continue to Climb in Europe

In 2002, 5.8 million diesel passenger cars were sold in Western Europe, which amounts to 40% of the new car market. The market share of diesels in many Western European countries has been rising steadily over the last four years.

Diesel Market Share, 1999–2002
Graph Showing European Diesel Market Share 1999-2002

Note: Total includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Supporting Information

Diesel Passenger Car Sales Shares 1999–2002
  1999 2000 2001 2002
Belgium 54.3% 56.7% 62.6% 64.2%
France 44.1% 49.0% 56.2% 63.2%
Germany 22.4% 30.4% 34.6% 38.0%
Italy 29.1% 33.7% 36.6% 43.6%
Norway   8.2%   9.0% 13.3% 17.5%
Spain 51.7% 53.1% 52.5% 57.3%
Switzerland   6.6%   9.2% 13.3% 17.8%
United Kingdom 13.8% 14.1% 17.8% 23.5%
Total 28.4% 32.3% 36.0% 40.4%

Source: Automotive Industry Data Newsletter, No. 0102 and 0302. Original source: AID/Industry sources.

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