France January 2013: Mercedes A-Class and Opel Mokka impress

Mercedes A-Class

* See the Top 105 best-selling models and Top 53 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

Painful start of the year for new car sales in France, down 16% year-on-year in January to 124,952 registrations. The Peugeot 208 is in pole position for the 6th time in the last 7 months with 6,890 sales and 5.5%. The Renault Clio IV is not far behind at #2 with 6,595 units and 5.3%, but so far it has only managed to rank first once, last November. The following 3 models replicate the Full Year 2012 ranking: the Citroen C3 at #3, Renault Megane at #4 and Renault Scenic at #5.

Dacia Sandero

After spending most of the month at #4, the Dacia Sandero finally ranks #6 in January with 3,682 sales and 3.9%, or nearly a full percentage point above its December market share. This is the Sandero’s 8th time in the French monthly Top 6 but the first time in 2.5 years. Previous ones are August 2009 (#6), January 2010 (#5), March 2010 (#2), May 2010 (#4), June and July 2010 (#6) and August 2010 (#4).

Opel Mokka

Now that the Peugeot 206+ and Renault Clio Campus are on their last legs, the Peugeot 207, now called 207+, and Renault Clio 3 get a boost, up to #14 and #15 respectively. The Toyota Yaris is in great shape at #16 with 2,218 units and 1.8%, its strongest market share in the country since January 2008. The Mercedes A-Class is up 3 ranks to a best-ever #24, the Citroen DS4 is up 29 ranks to #30, the Ford B-Max up 42 to a record #33 and the Opel Mokka lands directly inside the Top 40 at #39 with 885 sales.

Further down, the Kia Rio is up 30 spots to #47, its highest ever ranking in France also reached last July, the Toyota Auris back within the French Top 50 for the first time since April 2011, up 6 ranks to #48, the Hyundai i30 is up 24 to #71, the Dacia Dokker breaks into the Top 100 for the first time ever, up 35 spots to #73, the VW Coccinelle is up 25 to #78 and the Fiat 500L is up 11 to #85.

Previous post: France 1-28 January 2013: Dacia Sandero resists at #4

Full Year 2012 post: France Full Year 2012: Last hurrah for the Renault Clio III

Previous month: France December 2012: Dacia Sandero back in Top 10 after 2.5 years

One year ago: France January 2012: VW places Polo #4 and Golf #7

Full January 2013 Top 105 models and Top 53 All-brands Ranking Tables below.