France February 2012: Mercedes B Class and Kia Rio impress

Mercedes B Class

* See the Top 200 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

Like in January, new car sales in France are down 20% year-on-year in February at 163,063 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 310,109 units. The Renault Clio maintains itself in pole position for the 9th consecutive month with 10,449 sales and 6.4% share, almost 3,000 units and 2 percentage points above the Peugeot 207, #2 at 7,559 units and 4.6%. The Renault Megane and Citroen C3 follow, both at 3.7% of the market.

Nissan Qashqai

The Renault Scenic is up 4 spots on January to #5, the Peugeot 308 is up one rank to #7 and VW models fall back to their traditional level after a couple of euphoric months: the Polo is #8 and the Golf is #9. The Citroen C4 manages to rank within the Top 10 for the 2nd time in 3 months at #10 with 2.2% share, while the Nissan Qashqai stays at its highest French ranking ever (#16) and beats its market share record at 1.7%.

The Mercedes B Class takes advantage of its new generation to jump 11 spots on January to #35 with 1,195 sales and 0.7%. This is the highest position reached by a Mercedes in France in almost 4 years (since the C Class ranked #34 in July 2008) and the B Class’s top ranking in 5 years, since January 2007 when it ranked #28…

Kia Rio

There are a few other cars beating their ranking record this month: the Kia Rio is up 27 spots on January to #47 at 880 units and 0.5%, the Citroen DS5 breaks into the Top 50 for the very first time at #49 with 868 sales and 0.5%, the Kia Sportage is up 15 ranks to #57, the Audi Q3 up 14 spots to #64 and the Hyundai i20 is up 34 ranks to #70. Notice the Range Rover Evoque down 9 spots to #81.

Bolloré Bluecar

Last but not least, the 100% electric Bolloré Bluecar breaks into the Top 100 for the first time in February to #98 with 290 sales. These sales are dedicated to the new Autolib’ car sharing service in Paris launched last December. There are already 1,000 Blucars in circulation in Paris, aiming at 3,000 by the end of the year. Bolloré is now starting to deliver to private buyers so the car could progress further up in the next couple of months. More on Autolib’ here.

Previous post: France 1-20 February 2012: Renault Clio and Citroen C4 impress

Previous month: France January 2012: VW Polo #4, Citroen DS5 up – now with Top 200!

One year ago: France February 2011: Clio leads again, Citroen C4 close to Top 10

Full February 2012 Top 200 Ranking Table below.