Croatian Car Passenger Market keeps growing steadily in 2024. Sales in October reached 4,233 (+15.2%) with the YTD figures up to 55,511 (+11.9%), which was one of the best score in Europe this year. Volkswagen lost its leadership and was overtaken by Skoda. Toyota notably grew 3 spots into 4th.
Market Trend and Outlook
Croatia’s GDP is projected to grow by 3.3% in 2024 and 2.8% in 2025, driven by higher wages, increased employment, and ongoing disinflation boosting domestic demand. While strong private consumption and public investment, supported by EU funds, are maintaining robust growth, tight euro area monetary conditions are slowing private investment. The budget deficit is expected to widen in 2024 due to increased public spending but should decline in 2025 as spending growth moderates. Despite this, public debt is anticipated to fall below 60% of GDP by late 2025. Reforms to improve fiscal sustainability and enhance the business environment are needed to maintain growth momentum.
The car passenger market in Croatia reflects the positive economic outlook and data from recent months confirm the momentum.
Sales in October reached 4,233 (+15.2%), while YTD figures stood at 55,511 (+11.9%) one of the best score in Europe this year.
Looking at cumulative data brand-wise, Skoda -up 1 spot- became the leader with 7,579 sales (+34.7%), followed by Volkswagen -down 1 spot- with 6,514 (+12%) and Renault with 4,112 (-24.5%).
Renault’s recent downturn could jeopardize its spot on the podium, as closest competitor gain traction. Indeed, in fourth place, Toyota -up 3 spots- sold 3,718 cars (+49.7%), while the 5th, Suzuki -up 1 spot- sold 3,461 (+16.7%) and the 6th, Opel -up 2 spots- with 3,388 (+41.7%).
Dacia dropped 2 spots and ranked in 7th with 3,035 sales (-7.9%) followed by Hyundai -up 1 spot- with 2,992 (+43%), Kia -down 5 spots- with 2,820 (-21.9%) and in 10th place Audi with 2,214 (+5.9%).
The best-selling car was the Skoda Octavia -up 1 spot- up 80.3% from the previous year, followed closely by Volkswagen T-Cross -up 7 spots- (+88.9%) and by the Opel Corsa -up 10 spots- (+134.7%)
Medium-Term Market Trend
The Croatian auto market from 2010 to 2013 presented an overall downtrend, falling 21.2% in 2012 and 17.1% in 2013 to 27,761 sales. From 2014 to 2019 the car passengers market continued to grow year by year reaching higher all-time highs 3 years in a row, finishing 2019 at a maximum of 61,999 sales.
The arrival of the pandemic in Europe strongly affected the Croatian market that fell 44.0% to 34,742 sales.
The drop in 2020 was not due to a structural problem in the industry in fact sales grew rapidly in 2021 reaching 45,283 new car registrations (+30.3%). In 2022 sales continued to increase but at a slower rate, with registrations by the end of the year reaching 44,082 (+2.7%). A combination of factors are behind the current industry struggle: the disruption in the global supply chain caused by a lack of raw materials, in particular for the production of microchips and Governments push towards Evs, an expensive alternative for low income consumers. Yearly figures of 2023 reached 56,679 while being up 28.6% from the previous year.
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models.
