MP CARS | Expert Automotive Consulting & Market Insights

Market Insights

Automotive Market Trends

What's shaping the car industry in 2025 and 2026

The Rise of SUVs and Crossovers

Over the past decade, the automotive market has undergone a profound shift away from traditional sedans toward sport utility vehicles and crossovers. In Poland, SUV registrations now account for nearly 45% of all new car sales, with compact and mid-size crossovers leading the segment.

This preference is driven by higher seating positions, versatile cargo space, all-wheel-drive availability, and the perception of greater road safety. For families and frequent travellers alike, the SUV format addresses real lifestyle demands that smaller vehicles often cannot meet.

Manufacturers have responded by expanding their SUV portfolios at every price tier. Buyers today have an exceptionally wide selection, making expert guidance more valuable than ever when navigating the choices.

Electrification and Hybrid Growth

The electrification of the vehicle fleet is no longer a distant prospect — it is an accelerating reality. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models now represent a significant and growing share of European new car registrations, offering a practical bridge between conventional engines and fully electric powertrains.

In markets such as Poland, where charging infrastructure is still developing, mild-hybrid and full-hybrid vehicles offer immediate fuel savings without the range anxiety associated with battery-only cars. Fleet buyers and cost-conscious private owners are increasingly gravitating toward these options as purchase prices fall.

Manufacturers like Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia have built strong reputations for reliable hybrid technology, while European and American brands continue to expand their electrified lineups aggressively. Further price parity is expected within the next two years.

Digital Retailing and Transparent Pricing

The way people research and purchase vehicles has changed dramatically. Online configurators, comparison portals, and virtual showrooms now play a central role in the buyer journey, with most customers arriving at a dealership having already done extensive research online.

Used car markets have been particularly transformed. Platforms offering detailed inspection reports, certified histories, and clear pricing have displaced much of the opacity that once characterised second-hand vehicle sales. Buyers are more informed than ever.

For both buyers and sellers, understanding this digital landscape — knowing where to research, what data points to trust, and when to seek independent expert advice — is a key competitive advantage in today's automotive market.

Buying Guidance

How to Choose a Reliable Car

A practical framework for making a confident, well-informed vehicle purchase

Research Reliability Ratings

Before visiting any showroom or browsing listings, spend time reviewing independent reliability data. Organisations such as J.D. Power and consumer associations publish annual surveys that track which models generate the fewest mechanical complaints over time. These ratings are aggregated from thousands of real owners and offer an impartial snapshot of long-term ownership experience.

Pay particular attention to the specific engine and gearbox combinations in the model year you are considering, as reliability can vary significantly within a single model range. A diesel variant may have a very different track record from its petrol counterpart. Narrowing your research to the precise specification you intend to buy gives the most relevant picture.

Verify History and Ownership Costs

For used vehicles, a comprehensive history check is non-negotiable. A VIN lookup through an approved provider will reveal past accidents, outstanding finance, mileage discrepancies, and whether the car has previously been written off. Skipping this step remains one of the most common — and costliest — mistakes buyers make in the used car market.

Equally important is calculating the total cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on the purchase price. Insurance premiums, annual road tax, average fuel consumption, typical service intervals, and the availability and cost of spare parts all contribute to the true cost of running a given model over time.

The Test Drive and Pre-Purchase Inspection

No amount of online research fully replaces an extended test drive. When testing a vehicle, vary the conditions deliberately: drive at motorway speeds to listen for wind or road noise, test braking firmly to feel for pedal fade, and assess the quality of the steering response through corners. Note any warning lights, unusual smells, or unexpected vibrations.

For used vehicles, commissioning an independent pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic is one of the best investments a buyer can make. A professional inspection can identify underlying issues invisible to untrained eyes during a test drive, and the report can serve as a negotiating tool if minor defects are discovered.

EV Outlook

The Future of Electric Vehicles

Where battery technology and the charging network are headed — and what it means for buyers today

Battery Technology Advances

Modern lithium iron phosphate and nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistries have dramatically reduced the cost per kilowatt-hour over the past five years, and solid-state batteries are on the horizon with the promise of faster charging, greater range, and improved longevity.

Practical ranges for mainstream EVs have moved from the 150–200 km figures that characterised early models to 400–600 km in current mid-range vehicles. This shift fundamentally changes the calculus for buyers who previously ruled out electric cars on practical grounds.

Independent studies show that the latest battery management systems maintain over 90% of original capacity after 200,000 km in many models — a figure that decisively addresses concerns about long-term depreciation linked to battery degradation.

Charging Infrastructure Expansion

The EU's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation mandates fast-charger coverage every 60 kilometres along major motorway corridors, and multiple networks — including Ionity and Orlen Charge in Poland — have significantly increased the number of high-power charging points available.

For urban drivers and those with access to home or workplace charging, the infrastructure question is largely already resolved. Overnight home charging at 7–11 kW is the standard use case and costs a fraction of petrol for equivalent mileage.

Ultra-rapid chargers operating at 150–350 kW are now deployed at motorway service stations across Europe, capable of adding 200 km of range in approximately 20 minutes — a window that aligns naturally with a coffee stop during a longer journey.

Total Cost of Ownership Today

For many buyers, the financial case for an electric vehicle has already become compelling on a total cost of ownership basis, even if the purchase price remains higher than an equivalent combustion model. Electricity costs per kilometre are substantially lower than petrol or diesel across all European markets.

EVs have significantly fewer moving parts — no oil changes, no exhaust system, no clutch — translating into reduced maintenance expenditure over time. Government incentives, reduced road tax rates, and exemptions from urban low-emission zone charges add further financial advantages.

Our consultancy helps clients evaluate these factors objectively, ensuring the choice between electric, hybrid, or conventional powertrains is made on the basis of individual circumstances rather than marketing pressure.

Why Clients Trust MP CARS

"MP CARS" Mateusz Prędki is a professionally registered automotive consultancy based in Busko-Zdrój, Świętokrzyskie. Since 2015, we have helped private buyers, families, and business fleet managers make better-informed vehicle decisions — saving them time, money, and uncertainty in an often complex market.

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