This is the big trend of this 2024 Paris Motor Show: new 100% electric models and SUVs at each stand. But while the market has slowed in recent months in Europe, are these trends really out of step with what the French are currently buying?
During the first nine months of the year, this private market represents 45% of new car sales, with just over 576,000 vehicles out of a total of 1.3 million. The rest of the market is primarily focused on corporate fleets and long- and short-term rental companies.
The “sedan” versus the SUV
First surprise: the SUV is not the most popular body format among this particular customer, according to an Argus study prepared with NGC Data. They are followed by “sedans”, with 49% of sales. But this includes a wide variety of models, from more or less versatile city cars to large sedans and compact sedans.
Models that we also find well placed in the ranking of best sellers. In fact, the Dacia Sandero continues to be the best-seller in this private market since the beginning of the year, ahead of the Peugeot 208 and the Renault Clio.
Then we find SUVs, with 42% of sales to individuals from January to September, with a slight year-on-year decrease. Behind the 100% saloon podium are the first representatives of the category, with the Dacia Duster, the Peugeot 2008 and the Renault Captur.
Sales of pickup trucks (3.4%) and minivans (0.9%) appear quite limited, with few new models offered by manufacturers.
Gasoline is increasingly becoming hybrid
Another strong trend: the evolution of the engines chosen by individuals. The hybrid is becoming widespread in all these forms to reduce CO2 emissions: the microhybrid has thus increased by 46% in one year, with a market share of 12.5% among individuals and 19.1% for “ classics.” Non-rechargeable hybrid.
Gasoline engines continue to dominate with almost one in three sales (30.9%), but with a strong downward trend with -19% compared to last year due to this growing range of electrified engines. This is the case, for example, of the next Dacia Bisgter, which will have at least microhybridization in all the proposed engines, even in the dual fuel gasoline-LPG.
The plug-in hybrid is less popular, with prices that are usually quite high and with more attractive tax incentives for companies. Among individuals, its market share thus falls to 3.3%, while in the global market it is 7.8% in the same period from January to September.
Electricity accounts for almost one in four sales
In two other drivers we find stronger trends in this private market. Diesel thus falls to 3.9% market share among this public, compared to 7.6% in the global market, with demand still among businesses and rental companies.
Quite the opposite for 100% electric, with greater appeal to individuals than one might think and a market share of 24.3%. This is much higher than what electric represents in the entire new market, at 17.2% of new car sales since the beginning of the year.
The delegate minister of Energy, Olga Givernet, supported this Thursday the establishment of sanctions against companies that do not sufficiently green their vehicle fleet.
Source: BFM TV
