France November 2011: Dacia Duster beats records UPDATED

Dacia Duster

* NOW UPDATED with the Year-to-date Top 299 best-selling models! Click on title to see, thanks STAC *

Experts had predicted the French market would fall by over 10% year-on-year in November. Not so. Once again, car sales in France impress with their hold at -8% and 179,038 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,016,412 units, down just 0.3%. The Renault Clio reinforces its leadership with 9,937 sales and 5.5% share, now at 118,135 units and 5.9% year-to-date vs. 94,485 and 4.7% for the Peugeot 207, #2 this month at only 4.2%. 2011 will end up being one of the Clio’s easiest cruises to pole position, with 8 months out of 11 at #1…

Citroen DS5

The Renault Megane is stable in 3rd place at 3.7% and now threatens the Citroen C3 for a spot on the 2011 podium with 72,688 sales vs. 73,956 for the Citroen, #6 this month. The Renault Twingo confirms it is back to its traditional levels thanks to its quirky facelift, #4 this month at 3.5%.

The performance of the month goes to the Dacia Duster: up 2 spots on October it breaks into the French monthly Top 5 for the very first time at #5 with 5,783 sales and 3.2%, which are ranking, volume and market share records for the model! Dacia has a stellar month due to the return to full availability of its entire range: the Sandero stays in 15th place but improves to 1.9% share, its best in 10 months, while the Logan is up 25 spots on October to rank #33 with 1,328 sales, its best position in 15 months. Notice also the very first unit of the Dacia Lodgy registered this month.

Peugeot 208

Other great performers this month include the Ford C-Max up to #21 at 2,543 units and 1.4%, the Nissan Micra up 14 ranks to #30 and 1,524 sales, the BMW X1 breaking into the Top 50 at #48, the Kia Rio up 16 spots to #63, the Range Rover Evoque up 16 ranks also to #79 and the Audi Q3 breaking into the French Top 100 for the first time at #88 with 393 units sold.

As far as French newcomers are concerned, November is also a rich month. The Citroen DS5 makes its very first appearance in the monthly Top 100 in 74th position with 524 sales and 0.3% share. In anticipation for its March 2012 launch, 184 dealership units of the all-new Peugeot 208 are delivered this month, placing Peugeot’s future best-seller at #123…

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Full November 2011 Top 200 and Year-to-date 2011 Top 285 Ranking Tables below.