France February 2014: Citroen C4 Picasso II at best-ever #4

Citroen C4 Picasso

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New car sales in France are down 1.5% year-on-year in February to 141,300 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 266,754 units, down 0.5% on 2013. Passed by the Peugeot 208 in January and for the first time in 8 months, the Renault Clio IV reclaims the leadership of the French models ranking both this month with 7,832 sales and 5.5% vs. 7,158 and 5.1% for the 208 and year-to-date at 14,411 units and 5.4% vs. 14,176 and 5.3%. In third position, the Renault Captur breaks onto the French podium for only the 2nd time ever after last September even thought its market share is down from 3.6% in January to 3.2% this month at 4,558 sales.

The Renault Captur ranks inside the French podium for only the 2nd time ever.

But the big event in the models sales charts is the arrival of the Citroen C4 Picasso II inside the Top 5 for the very first time, up 4 spots on January to a record 4th place with 4,428 units and 3.1%, becoming the brand’s best-seller just above the C3 at #5 and 4,371 sales. This is the C4 Picasso nameplate’s highest ranking in almost 6 years, since August 2008 exactly. The first generation C4 Picasso reached an all-time high 3rd place in November 2007 and repeated that feat 5 times until May 2008. The Peugeot 2008 continues on its exceptional trajectory and progresses vs. last month to #6 and 3% share thanks to 4,280 sales, now #6 year-to-date as well. The Dacia Sandero is still extremely strong but is down 3 spots to #7, while the 2nd generation Peugeot 308 is up 4 ranks on January to reach a best-ever 8th position (also hit last October) with 3,886 sales and a record 2.8% share.

The Peugeot 308 II is at its best so far in France.

Further down, the VW Golf VII reintegrates the Top 10 at #10 but is the only foreigner to do so. Thanks to its facelift, the Dacia Duster is up 5 spots to #11, its best ranking in a year, the Toyota Auris maintains itself at a record #26 for the 2nd month in a row, the Opel Mokka is down 3 to a still strong #36, the Nissan Note is up 31 to a fantastic 40th place vs. #101 over the Full Year 2013, the Nissan Micra is up 7 to #44 vs. #82 in 2013, the Renault Koleos remains #50 vs. #102 in 2013 and the Seat Leon is up 15 to #53.

The analysis continues below.

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Previous month: France January 2014: Peugeot 208 #1, Top 13 100% French!

One year ago: France February 2013: Renault Clio IV leads, Zoe in Top 100

Full February 2014 Top 15 brands and Top 80 models Ranking Tables below.