Volkswagen Group is selling fewer cars, but its new affordable electric vehicles are performing exceptionally well.
Volkswagen is facing a challenging period in the global automotive market. In the third quarter of 2026, the group’s vehicle deliveries dropped by 14.3%. However, electric cars continue to gain momentum in Europe. The German company reported nearly 150,000 orders for its four new urban electric models. This is an encouraging start for a lineup that could play a major role in the years to come.
Volkswagen Group has just released its results for the third quarter of 2026. Between July and September, 1.89 million vehicles were registered worldwide across all powertrains. This represents a 14.3% decline compared to the previous year. Of these, 240,200 were fully electric models. In other words, one in eight cars sold by the German group now runs solely on batteries.
EV sales rise 20% in Europe
Globally, the group’s electric vehicle sales declined by 4.7% over the quarter. However, this drop hides significant geographical disparities. In Europe, Volkswagen delivered 209,100 electric vehicles, representing a 19.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The situation is much more complicated elsewhere. In China, deliveries of electric models dropped by 30.1%. In the United States, the decline was even higher at 86.4%... Thus, Volkswagen generates the majority of its electric vehicle sales in Europe.
EV T3 Sales 2026
EV T3 Sales 2025
Change (%)
Europe
209,100
174,800
+19.6 %
China
5,100
37,400
-86.4 %
United States
18,000
25,800
-30.1 %
Rest of the World
8,100
14,100
-43 %
Total
240,200
252 100
-4.7 %
Another interesting indicator: in the first nine months of the year, one out of five cars delivered by the group in Europe was electric. This proportion could rise further since battery-powered models now account for 40% of its European order book. This shows that the transition is underway on the Old Continent.
The surprise comes from the best-selling electric model since the start of the year. It’s not a Volkswagen—it’s the Skoda Elroq. With 92,200 units sold, it surpasses the ID.4/ID.5 duo (81,900) and its larger sibling, the Enyaq (72,700).
Already 150,000 orders for compact electric vehicles
Volkswagen relies on its new affordable models to accelerate this trend. The manufacturer reports having received nearly 150,000 orders for its new lineup of city cars and compact electric SUVs.
Four models are involved: the Cupra Raval, Volkswagen ID.Polo, Skoda Epiq, and Volkswagen ID.Cross. They are gathered together for the first time at the 2026 World Motor Show in Paris. These vehicles are intended to help the group reach a broader customer base at more affordable prices compared to its previous electric vehicles. The ID.Polo seems particularly successful. By the end of September, the brand reported 10,022 orders in France, with 5,215 of those placed solely in September.
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These results still need to be viewed with caution. Orders are not yet deliveries, and it will take several months to determine their true impact on the group’s sales. But Volkswagen now has an additional argument in its favor to support its electric vehicle strategy: in Europe, the most affordable models are finding their audience.