In 2020, Volkswagen seemed doomed to become the “new Nokia.” In 2026, it sells one in four electric cars in Europe

Volkswagen has gone from fearing it would become the “new Nokia” to leading Europe’s EV market in 2026.

In Q1 2026, the company sold about one in four electric cars in Europe after speeding up launches and expanding its lineup.

Tesla has lost market share, while legacy automakers and Chinese brands like BYD are gaining ground.

The shift underscores how traditional carmakers, especially Volkswagen, have narrowed the gap in a fast-growing European EV market.