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Cyprus Sees Robust Growth In Motor Vehicle Registrations Amid Shift To Hybrid And Electric

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 9, 2026

Cyprus commenced 2026 with solid momentum in its automotive sector, underscored by a marked 6.7 percent increase in motor vehicle registrations in January, according to data from Cystat. The positive figures reflect a deepening market transformation as consumers increasingly pivot toward cleaner, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

Market Performance Overview

A total of 4,350 vehicles were registered in January 2026, compared with 4,077 a year earlier. The figures point to continued demand across the sector, even as the industry adapts to changing fuel technologies and evolving mobility trends.

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Passenger Car Trends And Shifts

Registrations of passenger saloon cars increased by 4.5 percent to 3,317 units, up from 3,173 in January 2025. New vehicles accounted for 39 percent of registrations, or 1,294 units, while used cars made up the remaining 61 percent with 2,023 registrations. In contrast, rental saloon registrations declined sharply by 22.8 percent to 159 units.

Changing Fuel Dynamics

Fuel preferences also continued to shift. The share of petrol-powered passenger cars fell from 42.5 percent to 35.8 percent year on year. Diesel vehicles edged slightly higher, moving from 8.1 percent to 8.4 percent. Electric vehicles expanded their presence from 5.6 percent to 6.9 percent, while hybrid cars strengthened their lead, rising from 43.8 percent to 48.8 percent of new registrations.

Commercial And Two-Wheeler Segments

Activity was mixed in the commercial vehicle segment. Motor coaches and buses rose to 23 registrations from 7 a year earlier. Heavy goods vehicles increased by 43.8 percent to 69 units, while light goods vehicles grew by 16 percent to 471. Road tractors also recorded an 18.8 percent rise to 19 units. Rental goods vehicles, however, dropped sharply by 70 percent to just 3 registrations.

In the two-wheeler category, mopeds under 50cc declined to 6 units from 22, whereas motorcycles above 50cc climbed 13.5 percent to 387 registrations, up from 341 the previous year.

Overall, the data highlights a market that is gradually shifting toward cleaner mobility options while maintaining stable overall demand.

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Mercedes-Benz Posts Higher Profit Despite China Slowdown

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 29, 2026

Mercedes-Benz reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter results, lifting its shares on Tuesday despite mounting pressure from Chinese automakers and a weaker outlook for sales and revenue.

The earnings provided a boost for Europe’s auto sector, where manufacturers continue to grapple with tariffs, softer demand and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have all accelerated restructuring efforts in response.

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Cost Discipline Lifts Quarterly Profit

Mercedes-Benz shares rose as much as 5.9% following the results before trimming gains to trade 3.5% higher by 1118 GMT. The company reaffirmed its profit margin guidance for its core passenger car business after reporting an adjusted return on sales of 4.0% for the second quarter, above market expectations and within its 3% to 5% target range.

“In an environment where some automakers are ringing alarm bells on their competitive positioning, Mercedes delivered a clear and confident message,” Morningstar analyst Rella Suskin said.

Second-quarter operating profit increased 22% to €1.5 billion ($1.7 billion), despite a 3% decline in revenue. Lower administrative and research and development costs, together with strong performances from the financial services and vans divisions, supported earnings, while the results also included a €131 million gain related to the planned sale of leasing subsidiary Athlon.

China Remains The Key Pressure Point

Despite stronger profitability, Mercedes continues to face a challenging market environment. Sales in China fell 30% during the second quarter, prompting the company to abandon earlier expectations for stable car sales and group revenue. It now expects both to decline slightly from a year earlier.

BMW also lowered its outlook in June following a deeper-than-expected slowdown in China, highlighting the pressure facing Germany’s premium carmakers. At the same time, Mercedes said Chinese manufacturers are increasingly expanding into European markets, although Chief Executive Ola Kaellenius said their focus remains on higher-volume segments rather than the premium market.

“But that is not a reason to sit back and be relaxed,” he said.

Manufacturing Shift Continues

Mercedes is also reshaping its manufacturing footprint. The company said its German factories will undergo a more aggressive push toward leaner production, although it declined to provide further details while talks with labour representatives continue. Production is also being expanded in lower-cost Eastern European locations, including Hungary, where the company is increasing capacity at its Kecskemet plant, as well as in Poland.

Chief Financial Officer Harald Wilhelm said the full-year margin for the passenger car division is expected to come in at the lower end of the company’s guidance range, reflecting a higher share of electric vehicle sales in Europe, which remain more expensive to produce and continue to weigh on profitability.

“We must continue to work flat out to reduce costs so that we can remain competitive on the prices of our products,” Kaellenius said.