motor vehicle — Motor vehicle registrations in Cyprus rose significantly in January 2026, showcasing a growing trend towards hybrid vehicles. According to the latest data from the statistical service, Cystat, a total of 4,350 vehicles were registered, marking a 6.7 per cent increase from 4,077 registrations in January 2025.
Motor vehicle: Passenger Car Trends Indicate Shift in Consumer Preferences
The increase in registrations was propelled by a notable rise in passenger saloon cars, which saw a 4.5 per cent growth, climbing to 3,317 from 3,173 the previous year. Among these, 39 per cent were newly registered, indicating a shift towards newer models, while 61 per cent were used vehicles. However, the rental car segment faced challenges, with registrations plummeting by 22.8 per cent to just 159.
Fuel Type Preferences Reflect Environmental Concerns
One of the most significant changes observed was in the fuel type distribution of newly registered vehicles. The share of petrol-powered passenger cars dropped considerably, from 42.5 per cent to 35.8 per cent. In contrast, the share of diesel vehicles saw a slight increase, moving from 8.1 per cent to 8.4 per cent.
Electric vehicles also made strides, increasing their market share from 5.6 per cent to 6.9 per cent. However, it is the hybrid vehicles that have truly dominated the landscape, with their share soaring from 43.8 per cent to an impressive 48.8 per cent, solidifying their status as the leading choice among new registrations.
Growth Across Other Vehicle Categories
Beyond passenger vehicles, other categories displayed significant activity. The registration of motor coaches and buses saw a remarkable jump, rising to 23 from just 7 in January 2025. The goods conveyance sector also experienced an uptick, with registrations climbing by 17.1 per cent to 562 vehicles.
This growth was primarily driven by heavy goods vehicles, which surged by 43.8 per cent, reaching 69 registrations. Meanwhile, light goods vehicles rose by 16 per cent to 471, and road tractors also saw a modest increase of 18.8 per cent to 19. However, the rental goods vehicle segment faced a stark decline, with registrations falling by 70 per cent to only 3.
Motorcycle Registrations Show Mixed Results
In the motorcycle category, the trends were varied. Mopeds under 50cc experienced a significant drop, with registrations falling to just 6 from 22 in January 2025. Conversely, motorcycles over 50cc saw a healthy increase of 13.5 per cent, climbing to 387 compared to 341 the previous year.
The January figures from Cystat suggest that the Cypriot vehicle market is evolving, with consumers increasingly gravitating towards environmentally friendly options, particularly hybrids. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to develop and shape the automotive landscape in Cyprus.
