Austrian Car Market in 2025 continues to accelerate. YTD sales up to November surged 13.6%, with Volkswagen and Skoda competing for the top spot while Cupra emerged as new leader. EVs grew by 36.9%, with BYD rising 2 spots to claim leadership.
Economic Environment
Austria is projected to remain in recession in 2025, with GDP shrinking by 0.3%, marking the third consecutive year of economic contraction. Modest consumption recovery and a slow rebound in construction are expected, but weak investment, sluggish industry, and trade tensions will continue to weigh on growth. Inflation will remain elevated at 2.9%, driven by rising energy prices and services costs, before easing to 2.1% in 2026. The unemployment rate will peak at 5.3% before slightly improving next year.
Fiscal consolidation is underway, yet the government deficit will remain above 4% of GDP through 2026, and public debt will rise from 84% to 85.8% of GDP. Despite cuts to public consumption and climate bonuses, inflation-indexed spending on wages and pensions keeps fiscal pressure high. Trade tensions, especially with the US, limit export prospects, and industrial competitiveness remains challenged by high energy and labour costs. A mild recovery is forecast for 2026, led by stronger domestic demand, but structural weaknesses and fiscal constraints will persist.
Automotive Industry Trend and Outlook
Austria’s car market in 2025 continues to build the prior year’s trend. YTD sales up to November totaled 263,742 units, up 13.6% and steadily accelerating over the past months.
EV Market Trend and Outlook
The EV market in Austria rebounded in 2025 despite the negative performance in 2024, reaching 17% of total car sales. YTD sales up to November surged 36.9%, driven by better charging infrastructure and a wider range of models.
BYD surged 126.3% to take the lead and climbed 2 spots, while Volkswagen climbed up 2 spots and ranked 2nd (+97.7%). Skoda closed the podium, up 83.9% and 2 spots.
Medium-Term Market Trend
Over the past decade, Austria’s car market has seen notable ups and downs. Starting at 303,232 units in 2014, it grew steadily to a peak of 353,596 in 2017, up 7.4% year-on-year.
The market then declined in 2018 (-3.4%) and 2019 (-3.5%) due to stricter EU emissions rules and shifting consumer preferences away from combustion engines. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a sharp 24.5% drop to 248,942 units as lockdowns and uncertainty stalled demand.
Declines continued through 2022, hitting a low of 215,049 units due to supply chain disruptions, particularly chip shortages. A rebound came in 2023, with sales up 11.2% to 239,016, followed by further recovery in 2024 to 253,795 units (+6.1%), driven by easing supply issues and rising eco-consciousness.
EV sales picked up in 2019 (+75.4%) and sustained double-digit growth, reaching a 14.4% market share in 2024, supported by incentives, new models, and improved infrastructure.
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 models.
