France 6 months 2012 Private Sales: What people really buy

Dacia Duster

* See the Top 20 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

After exploring a similar ranking in Germany, thanks to French magazine Auto Plus I can now share with you for the first time on BSCB a 6 months 2012 models ranking focusing on sales to private buyers. Around 50% of overall passenger car sales in France are sold to non-private buyers like companies, rentals and government institutions. What people really buy is very different to the models ranking we follow every month…

VW Polo

If the podium is without any big surprise with the Renault Clio #1 followed by the Peugeot 207 and the Citroen C3, the followers make for a very interesting bunch. The VW Polo ranks #4 with 18,197 private sales or an excellent 74% private sales (PS) ratio. But the most revealing trend is the very high rankings of the two most successful Dacias: the Duster is up to #5 (vs. #15 in the overall ranking) with 15,126 units and a huge 82% PS ratio, while the Sandero is up to #9 (vs. #18) with 12,763 sales and 86% PS ratio…

Dacia Sandero

Other great performers with private buyers include the Renault Twingo at #6 and 60%, the Ford Fiesta at #12 and 62%, the Nissan Qashqai at #14 and 61% and the Toyota Yaris at #16 and 78%. Reversely, only 33% of Renault Megane sales are to private buyers (#10), 39% of Renault Scenic (#7), 39% of Citroen C4 Picasso (#20) and 41% of Citroen C4 (#17). This ranking is also a very good indication of the future success of these models in the used market.

Previous post: France July 2012: Peugeot 208 up to #2, teases Renault Clio

Previous month: France June 2012: Dacia Lodgy in Top 20, Peugeot 301 and Dacia Dokker land

6 months 2012 overall market: France 6 months 2012: Discover all 356 best-selling models!

Full 6 months Private Sales Top 20 Ranking Table below.