26 September 2025
How have plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales fared in China? Is it too early to celebrate EU registrations growth? Plus, updates following the cyber-attack on JLR. Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry examines the latest news in the Automotive Update podcast.
In this week’s episode, a look at China’s faltering PHEV registrations, as well as Europe’s booming electric vehicle (EV) sector. Additionally, an assessment of what a positive August meant for the EU new-car market, and what lies ahead for the cyber-attack-hit JLR and its suppliers.
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China’s PHEV market hits five-year low
China’s PHEV market suffered its worst year-on-year performance since June 2020. The latest data provided by EV Volumes showed powertrain sales grew by just 3.2%, compared with July 2024. This is the worst result since a 51.4% decline during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the first time this year, the BYD Seal 06 topped the monthly PHEV chart. In second place was the Aito M8. The model first saw sales recorded in China in April.
Meanwhile, the country’s battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sector recorded an improvement compared to July 2024, with an increase of 34.5%. The Geely Geome Xingyuan remained the standout BEV performer. It topped the chart once again by a considerable margin over the second-placed Tesla Model Y.
Europe’s EV market upswing
Europe’s PHEV market recorded its biggest monthly growth since June 2021, according to EV Volumes. Totals soared by 53.5% year-on-year in July. The performance continued a run of double-digit PHEV improvements that began in March, following two consecutive monthly declines.
BEVs continued their consistent improvement, with double-digit increases every month so far this year. Compared to 12 months prior, all-electric deliveries rose by 33% in July.
In the PHEV sector, Volkswagen (VW) led the way with the Tiguan topping the chart in July, for the second consecutive month. Second was the BYD Seal U, which has remained inside the top three since March.
The Skoda Elroq led Europe’s BEV market for the second time this year. The Czech marque locked out the top two positions, with the Enyaq in second.
Further growth for EU new-car market
EU new-car registrations rose 5.3% in August to 677,785 units, marking a second straight month of growth, according to the latest data from ACEA. However, year-to-date volumes remain down 0.1%, with 7,168,847 cars registered so far in 2025.
Of the larger markets, Spain continued to shine with a 17.2% gain, while Germany and France recorded single-digit improvements. Sales in Italy slipped by 2.7%, and despite positive returns in August, while France remains more than 7% behind on a year-to-date basis. Electrification drove much of August’s momentum, as electrified vehicles captured more than 62.2% of the market. Petrol and diesel registrations continued to fall.
Despite positive signs, industry group ACEA warns that EV uptake is still ‘below the pace needed’ to meet EU climate goals, making any celebrations premature.
JLR’s cyber-attack pain continues
Following a cyber-attack at the beginning of September, JLR has stated that it will continue its production pause until at least 1 October, according to Autocar.
The attack forced the carmaker to shut down its internal computer systems, resulting in production at all its global plants coming to a halt. This has also created issues with parts ordering, impacting suppliers and retailers.
According to the BBC, the stoppage is costing JLR around £50 million (€57.2 million) each week, and the UK government are considering financial support for impacted suppliers.
Yangwang’s new speed record
Yangwang, the luxury sub-brand of BYD, has set a new global production-car top-speed record of 496.2kph (308.4mph). The feat was achieved with Yangwang’s latest U9 Xtreme, an electric-powered hypercar.
‘This record was only possible because the U9 Xtreme simply has incredible performance,’ stated driver Marc Basseng. ‘Technically, something like this is not possible with a combustion engine.’
