France 1-8 October 2012: Toyota Yaris & Nissan Qashqai impress

Toyota Yaris. Picture by L’Argus, all rights reserved.

* See the Top 10 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to STAC *

During the first week of October 32,273 new cars found a buyer in France, down 20% on a year ago. Weekly rankings always have their lot of surprises as they are very dependent on promotions and specific stock situations but this week is pushing the envelope a little… Citroen leads the brands ranking with 17.8% share ahead of Peugeot at 17.2%, Volkswagen at 10.9% and… Renault at 8.5%! Renault’s sales are always back-loaded with the majority occurring in the last week and days of the month, making the start of the month weaker but this time there is no Renault model in the Top 10!

Nissan Qashqai. Picture by L’Argus, all rights reserved.

The Peugeot 208 is comfortably installed in pole position with 1,877 sales and 5.8% followed by the Citroen C3 at 1,366 and 4.2%, the VW Polo at 1,033 and 3.2% and the Citroen C4 at 1,001 and 3.1%. The big event this week is the appearance of two Japanese models in the Top 10: the Toyota Yaris, built locally in Valenciennes, is up 110% year-on-year to #6 at 818 sales and 2.5% and the Nissan Qashqai is up 27% to #7 at 787 units and 2.4%.

Citroen DS3. Picture by L’Argus, all rights reserved.

If they both stay in the Top 10 at month-end, it would be the first time ever 2 Japanese models rank within the monthly French Top 10 and only the 3rd time ever that at least one Japanese is in the Top 10. The Yaris managed it twice before: in January 2007 (#9) and March 2007 (#10). For the Qashqai it would be its first time ever in France… Finally, notice there are 4 Citroens in the Top 10 this week: the C3 at #2, C4 at #4, C4 Picasso at #8 and DS3 at #10.

Previous post: France September 2012: More detail now available

One year ago: France 1-10 October 2011: Citroen C4 back in Top 10

Full 1-8 October 2012 Top 10 Ranking Table below.