France 1-25 March 2013: Renault Clio IV back in pole position

Renault Clio IV

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It’s still looking grey for new car sales in France: after 25 days in March the market is down 12% compared to the same period in 2012 at 113,222 registrations. For once the local manufacturers fare better than imports: Renault is up 2% to 20,494 sales and 18.1% share, Peugeot down just 4% to 19,466 units and 17.2% while Franco-Romanian Dacia is up a whopping 42% to 5,050 sales and 4.5% even though it doesn’t place any model in the Top 10. As the month comes to an end, the Renault Clio IV reclaims the models pole position with a fantastic 7,808 sales and 6.9%, on track to lodge its third ever month at #1 in France after November 2012 and February 2013.

As a result the Peugeot 208 is kicked down to 2nd place at 6,944 units and 6.1%, still way ahead of the #3 the Renault Megane with 3,999 units and 3.5%, down just 2% year-on-year. The Peugeot 3008 delivers a shiny 4th position thanks to 3,023 sales and 2.7%, and with the Citroen C3 at #5, Renault Scenic at #6 and Citroen C4 at #7, the Top 7 is 100% French which hasn’t occurred since last December. The VW Golf (#8) and Polo (#9) are the only two foreigners in the Top 10.

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Previous month: France February 2013: Renault Clio IV leads, Noe in Top 100

Full 1-25 March 2013 Top 10 brands and models Ranking Tables below.