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

Vehicle Technologies Program

Fact #335: August 30, 2004
Diesels Continue to Gain Market Share in Europe

The share of diesel passenger cars sold in Western Europe has risen from 28.4% in 1999 to 43.6% in 2003. More than two-thirds of all cars sold in France and Belgium in 2003 were diesel.

Diesel Market Share, 1999–2003
Graph showing diesel passenger car sales in Western Europe for the years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.

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, 1999–2003
  1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Belgium 54.3% 56.7% 62.6% 64.2% 68.3%
France 44.1% 49.0% 56.2% 63.2% 67.4%
Germany 22.4% 30.4% 34.6% 38.0% 39.8%
Italy 29.1% 33.7% 36.6% 43.6% 48.7%
Norway 8.2% 9.0% 13.3% 17.5% 23.2%
Spain 51.7% 53.1% 52.5% 57.3% 60.4%
Switzerland 6.6% 9.2% 13.3% 17.8% 21.5%
United Kingdom 13.8% 14.1% 17.8% 23.5% 27.3%
Total* 28.4% 32.3% 36.0% 40.4% 43.6%

* Total includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Source: Automotive Industry Data Newsletter, No. 0102, No. 0302 and No. 0401.
Original source: AID/Industry sources.

Return to 2004 Facts of the Week