German new car registrations fell sharply at the start of 2026, with the indicator dropping by 21.3% month-over-month in January 2026, according to data updated on 24 February 2026. The decline marks a steep deterioration from December 2025, when registrations were already down 1.7% compared with the previous month.
The figures indicate a significant loss of momentum in Germany’s auto market on a month-over-month basis, as the January contraction far exceeds the moderate decline recorded in December. The data compare the change in registrations each month with the immediately preceding month, highlighting a sudden and pronounced weakening of demand in the first month of the year. Investors and industry observers are likely to scrutinize upcoming releases to see whether January’s slump proves to be a one-off shock or the start of a more persistent downturn in Europe’s largest car market.
