Volkswagen overtakes Toyota in Spain’s car market for the first time in October - Politics and regulation

Volkswagen registered 7,671 passenger cars in Spain in October, narrowly surpassing Toyota’s 7,563 units. The German brand’s progress was supported by non-plug-in hybrids, particularly the T-Roc, although Toyota retains a clear lead in the year-to-date ranking.

Volkswagen moved ahead of Toyota to become Spain’s best-selling passenger-car brand in October, although the result represents a single-month lead rather than a change in the annual standings. The German manufacturer registered 7,671 vehicles, 10.6% more than in October 2025, while Toyota reached 7,563 units after growing 2.7%.

Both brands are benefiting from the growing demand for non-plug-in hybrid vehicles. For Volkswagen, the T-Roc has become a key model in this area. The SUV recorded 1,572 registrations as a conventional hybrid in October, helping it rank third among the month’s best-selling non-plug-in hybrids.

The T-Roc was behind the Toyota Corolla, with 2,143 units, and the Kia Sportage, with 1,613. Considering all powertrains, Volkswagen’s SUV registered 1,645 units and finished seventh in the overall model ranking, just one unit ahead of the Seat Ibiza.

Toyota continues to dominate the non-plug-in hybrid rankings through models including the Corolla, Yaris Cross and C-HR. Volkswagen is gaining ground with the T-Roc following the introduction of conventional hybrid versions. Between January and October, the model accumulated 13,316 registrations, placing fifth in its category behind four models from Toyota and Nissan.

Despite Volkswagen’s October result, Toyota remains comfortably ahead in the first ten months of 2026. The Japanese brand registered 88,247 vehicles, an 8.9% increase year on year, compared with Volkswagen’s 65,280 units and 3.5% growth. Toyota’s lead exceeds 22,900 vehicles.

The competition between the two manufacturers comes as electrified powertrains gain importance in Spain. October saw 43,314 non-plug-in hybrid registrations, while vehicles grouped under other fuel types—including fully electric cars, plug-in hybrids and other technologies—reached 78,754 units, up 14% from a year earlier. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars together accounted for more than 31% of registrations, setting a new record.

The overall model ranking for the January-to-October period remains led by the Dacia Sandero, Seat Ibiza and Toyota Corolla. Among brands, Toyota ranks first, followed by Volkswagen and Renault. Total passenger-car registrations reached 98,487 in October, up 1.8% year on year, while the ten-month total stood at 1,010,545 vehicles, an increase of 6.2%.

Sources: elDiario.es.