Neither electric nor hybrid: the best-selling car in Spain is LPG

The best-selling car in Spain is not electric or plug-in hybrid. It's not diesel or gasoline either. Oddly enough, the best-selling car in Spain is gas, specifically liquefied petroleum gas, also known as Autogás or by its acronym GLP. For the third consecutive month, the best-selling car in Spain has been the Dacia Sandero and, by extension, it is also the best-selling model in 2023, according to data from the manufacturers' associations (Anfac), sellers (Ganvam) and dealers (Faconauto). .

The Dacia Sandero led sales in February with 2,427 registered units, of which 1,352 (almost 55%) corresponded to the LPG version called ECO-G. So far this year, 2,400 units of the Dacia Sandero ECO-G have already been sold, more than half of the model's total sales, which amount to 4,622 units, more than double that of last year. A success that is due to several reasons, although the main reason is the considerable savings in fuel consumption that it means for drivers' pockets.

LPG is up to 60% cheaper than gasoline and diesel, and its price is very stable. On average, a liter of LPG costs 0.99 euros in Spain and the historical maximum has barely exceeded 1.05 euros/liter compared to 2.15 euros/liter that unleaded 95 gasoline or diesel has come to cost A. Not to mention compressed natural gas (CNG), which has reached 3.20 euros/kg at the worst moment of the energy crisis due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The purchase price of the vehicle is another reason for the surprising success of the Sandero ECO-G, since the LPG version costs just 600 euros more than the petrol version. While the 90-hp Sandero TCe has a starting price of 13,000 euros, the 100-hp Sandero ECO-G is available from 13,600 euros. It is the cheapest alternative technology on the market and, in fact, one of its main advantages.

The DGT ECO label is another of the reasons that explains the increase in sales of the Sandero ECO-G, since Autogas allows NOX emissions to be reduced by up to 75% and CO2 emissions by 25%. In addition, the autonomy of LPG cars can exceed 1,000 kilometers with the two tanks (Autogas and gasoline). And the ease of charging is another point in its favour, since the refueling time is similar to that of a gasoline or diesel car, and there are more than 800 service stations where LPG can be refueled, most of them from Repsol.

LPG car sales have skyrocketed by more than 70% in recent months and Dacia accounts for more than 80% of the market. The entire range of the Romanian brand, except the Dacia Spring (100% electric), is available with ECO-G versions. The Sandero, the Jogger and the Duster are the best-selling gas cars in Spain. They are followed by the Renault Clio and the Captur, which also have LPG versions.

The Dacia Sandero is also the best-selling car for individuals in Spain. Of the 4,622 units registered up to February, 3,900 correspond to the private customer channel. The retail market accounts for almost 85% of the total sales of the model and 80% of the total sales of Dacia. The Romanian brand is third in the 'retail market' after Toyota and Kia.

The second best-selling car in February was the Seat Arona with 2,385 registered units. The Spanish urban SUV is also second in the year accumulated with 4,180 units, 72% more than the previous year. The Peugeot 2008 completes the podium with 3,548 registered units, 40% more than last year. The urban SUV has taken third place from the Toyota C-HR, which is fourth in the year accumulated with 3,516 deliveries, 22% more than the previous year. In fifth place is the Seat Ibiza with 3,001 units dispatched and an increase of 25.3%.

Regarding brands, Toyota once again led the market with 6,035 cars sold in February, 7.4% more than the previous year. Seat follows with 6,025 registered units and an increase of 5.2%, while Peugeot completes the podium with 5,741 deliveries and a strong rise of 14.3%.

In the accumulated of the year, Toyota continues to lead the market with 12,666 units registered until February, 15.2% more than the previous year. They are followed by Seat, with 10,446 units (33%), and Kia with 9,929 deliveries (19.5%). In fourth place is Peugeot with 9,721 cars sold (12%) and fifth position is for Volkswagen with 8,747 units (20%).