France December 2013: Citroen C3 above Peugeot 208 for the first time!

Citroen C3

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New car sales in France are up an encouraging 10% year-on-year in December to 175,336 registrations which brings the final 2013 total to 1,790,473 units, down 6% on 2012 and the weakest annual result in 16 years since the 1,713,030 units from 1997… December results always have their lot of surprises in France as sales are heavily impacted by end-of-year promotions, and this year is no different! If the Renault Clio IV lodges another solid month at 9,513 sales and 5.4%, up a fantastic 48% on December 2012, it’s a catastrophic month for the Peugeot 208, down 29% to 6,637 units and 3.8% and passed for the very first time by the Citroen C3, in great shape at #2 with 6,743 sales and 3.8% share also. Note this is only the second time in the C3 nameplate’s 10 year career that it manages to rank #2, the other one being March 2011 when the Citroen sold a record 12,565 units for an all-time high 4.9% share.

Renault Captur

After being passed by its archenemy the Peugeot 2008 two months in a row, the Renault Captur reclaims the mini SUV lead, up to #4 with 6,238 sales and 3.6%, which means it is only 500 units off the second spot overall this month! Never before had the Captur been so close to the top of sales charts in France… For its part the Peugeot 2008 is down 3 ranks on November to #7 at 2.5% share. Another excellent month for the Dacia Sandero, up one to #5, and for the VW Polo up 3 to #6, its best ranking in France since December 2012. Notice also the Citroen C4 Picasso II holding strong at #10 just below the Renault Scenic particularly weak, and the VW Golf VII topping its category at #11, followed by the Peugeot 308 II (#13), Citroen C4 (#17) and Renault Megane (#18). But wait there are more interesting news in France this month… The analysis continues below.

Previous post: France November 2013 (final figures): Dacia Logan up to #36

Previous month: France November 2013: Peugeot 2008 confirms #4 spot above Renault Captur

One year ago: France December 2012: Dacia Sandero back in Top 10 after 2.5 years

More analysis, Full December 2013 Top 110 models and Top 18 brands Ranking Tables below.