FLENSBURG (dpa-AFX) - The boom in all-wheel drive vehicles in Germany is waning. After their share of new registrations doubled over the past decade, it has now declined slightly for the third consecutive year. This is according to figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority analyzed by dpa. In 2025, all-wheel drive vehicles accounted for 24.1 percent of new registrations. That was 0.5 percentage points less than in 2024. Compared to the peak in 2022, the difference is even 1.8 percentage points.
The decline comes as a surprise, since several factors that contributed to the boom in all-wheel drive vehicles remain valid. SUVs, where the drivetrain is popular, continue to increase their market share, and the same is true for electric vehicles, which are also often equipped with all-wheel drive.
One reason for the slightly decreasing share could be the relatively high fuel prices of recent years. At least for combustion engines, even modern all-wheel drive systems consume somewhat more fuel—simply because there are more moving parts and additional weight.
Share of All-Wheel Drive Vehicles in Fleet Continues to Rise
However, the share of all-wheel drive vehicles in the overall fleet continues to rise. As of January 1, 2025—no more recent data is available—there were a total of just over 7 million, or 14.3 percent. At the beginning of 2024, it was 6.8 million (13.8 percent)—and at the start of 2020, only 5.6 million, or 11.7 percent.
All-wheel drive vehicles are far from evenly distributed across Germany. Instead, there is a marked north-south divide: In Bavaria, they make up 17.7 percent of the vehicle fleet, in Baden-Württemberg 16 percent. In Thuringia, it is 15.4 percent, and in Hesse 15.1 percent. In Bremen, by contrast, it is only 11.7 percent, in Saxony-Anhalt 11.8 percent, and in Schleswig-Holstein 12.1 percent.
Looking at individual registration districts, the differences are even more pronounced: The highest shares are all in Bavaria. Leading is Freyung-Grafenau with 29.8 percent, followed by Miesbach at 29.6 percent and Regen at 29.2 percent. The lowest figures are found in the north: Emden with 8.8 percent, Wilhelmshaven with 9.2 percent, and Herne with 9.4 percent./ruc/DP/zb
