Car sales are picking up in France: they increased by 24.3% year-on-year in August, according to data from the Automotive Platform (PFA). Last month it registered 113,599 private vehicles in France.
In the first eight months of the year, the market registered a year-on-year increase of 16.6%, with 1.13 million registrations. The year is even the best since the pandemic: unlike the first months of the year, when 2021 continued to be a better vintage, in August 2023 registrations exceeded those of the previous three years.
It is also worth noting the excellent figures for sales of industrial vehicles, of more than 5 tons: they increased by 80.7% in one year, to exceed 3,800 registrations.
The electric continues its advance
The other great trend transcribed by these figures is the renewed irruption of electric vehicles, which accounted for 17% of purchases in August, and exceeds a quarter if we add rechargeable hybrids (26%). It is only the second time that this figure has been reached, after June 2023. Throughout the year, recalls the PFA, the electricity market weighs 15% of sales, compared to 13% in 2022 and 10% in 2021; in the case of hybrids, it is 24% compared to 22% last year.
A sign of a slight increase in purchasing power or a “premiumization of the market”, sales are heading towards a slightly higher level: 53% of the vehicles sold in 2023 are in the “economy” range and 24% of the “lower middle” range. ” range. Figures down compared to 2022, when the “upper medium” and luxury ranges advance frankly.
Renault continues to climb Stellantis
On the manufacturer side, Renault continues its recovery compared to Stellantis: registrations of new vehicles from the Stellantis group (Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel) increased by 8% last month compared to the previous year, compared to more than 37, 2%. more than a year for Renault (Renault, Dacia and Alpine).
The group led by Carlos Tavares remains in the lead, with a market share of 29.2% compared to 24% for Renault, but the dynamics of 2023 clearly favor the group led by Luca De Meo: since January, Renault has increased its share up to 25.3%. compared to 28.9% for Stellantis. An important trend, as the launch of consumer electric models looms on both sides: the e-308 for Stellantis and Citroën, 4L and R5 for Renault.
Sales in the European dynamic
The French figures add to the European trend: according to the latest censuses of the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA), sales increased by 15% year-on-year in July. Electric vehicle registrations increased by 60%, reaching a share of 13.6% on the continent.
Source: BFM TV
