France 1-24 December 2012: Peugeot 208 roars

Peugeot 208

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The French new car market is down 14% year-on-year in December so far after 24 days to 116,976 registrations, in line with the market’s evolution this year at -14% also. Peugeot is in the lead at a shiny 19,193 sales and 16.4%, up 1% on December last year, whereas Renault is down 29% at #2 and Citroen down 24% at #3. This means French manufacturers hold a historically low 42% of their home market over the period. Volkswagen ranks #4 with over 10,000 sales, Dacia is #5 (+8%) with Toyota (+1%), Audi (+3%) and Mercedes (+9%) also gaining ground.

2013 Dacia Sandero Stepway

The Peugeot 208 is on track to deliver its best month ever with an impressive 8,066 sales and 6.9% share, more than double the score of its archenemy the Renault Clio IV, #2 at 3,863 units and 3.3%. The Citroen C3 (-30%), VW Polo (-39%) and Renault Megane (-28%) follow. Boosted by the new generation now in dealerships, the Dacia Sandero is up 36% year-on-year to #8 with 2,409 sales and could lodge its first Top 10 month in France since August 2010…

Peugeot 208 R5

Finally the suspense is becoming unbearable for the Nissan Qashqai, still #10 after 24 days in December at 2,052 units and 1.8% share. Will it become the only Japanese model ever to rank within the monthly French Top 10 after the Toyota Yaris in January and March 2007?

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Previous year: France Full Year 2011: A Citroen on podium for first time since 1985

Full 1-24 December 2012 Top 10 models and brands Ranking Tables below.