France June 2015: Renault Captur, Kadjar and Espace fuel up

The Renault Kadjar climbs to 15th place at home in June.

* UPDATED with the Top 42 All-brands and Top 270 models *

A breath of fresh air: that’s what new car sales in France are in June, traditionally the largest month of the year, up 15% year-on-year to 225.850 registrations and lifting the 1st Half total up 6% to 1.017.500 units. This is the largest year-on-year gain in four years in France, however to be mitigated by two additional selling days compared to June 2014, resulting in an adjusted growth of just 4.5%. June orders are up 23% year-on-year according to CCFA which is a good prospect for the rest of the year. At last, private sales are growing as fast as the market at +15% whereas they had been struggling since the start of the year, often in negative (-3% in February, -5% in April, -4% in May) or slight positive (+0.3% in January, +2% in March). Yet private sales are up just 1% so far this year vs. +9% for company sales.

The Renault Captur is up to an all-time high #2 ranking this month.

In the brands ranking, Renault is king this month with a 23.7% market share and 53.471 sales despite lagging behind the market at +10% – to be compared with 20.5% year-to-date. Reversely, Peugeot is up 20% but with a particularly low base in June 2014 it lodges a market share (16.8%) slightly below its year-to-date level (17.3%). Citroen finally posts a satisfying month at +11% and 10.7% share along with DS in progression for the first time in 2015 at +15% to 3.707 units, benefiting from promotions related to the 60th anniversary of the original Citroen DS. Volkswagen continues to aggressively gain ground at a splendid +26% in June, Dacia is back on track in 5th place with 5.2% share ahead of Ford (+10%), Nissan (+19%), Toyota (+20%) and Opel (+14%). Audi (+23%), Skoda (+29%), Fiat, Mini (+32%), Hyundai (+52%), Volvo (+57%), Land Rover (+114%), Jaguar (+229%) and Jeep up 6-fold lodge spectacular performances.

The new generation lift the Renault Espace up to #32.

The Renault Clio remains the most popular nameplate at home but stable sales see its market share thaw to just 6.2% compared to 7.1% a year ago. After two months at a depressing 5th place, the Renault Captur surges 18% to outpace the Peugeot 208 and rank #2 overall for the 2nd time ever after June 2014 with 11.286 units and 5% share. This is the first time the Captur delivers a 5-digit monthly sales figure in France or any country in the world. The Peugeot 208 is kicked down to #3 despite sales up 29% year-on-year and distances the 308 (+25%) and 2008 (+44%). The Toyota Yaris (+39%), VW Polo (+42%), Opel Mokka (+51%) and Citroen C4 Cactus (+76%) also deliver impressive gains inside the Top 25.

The Fiat 500X continues to climb the French charts: up to #31 in June.

Further down, the Renault Kadjar climbs 9 spots on May to #15 overall for its 2nd full month in market with 3.484 sales (including 2.121 demos), already outselling the Nissan Qashqai (#17), and the Renault Espace is boosted up 22 ranks on last month and 343% year-on-year to #32 by the new generation with 1.725 units (252 demos). Notice also the Fiat 500X up a further 4 spots to a #30, the Mini up 115% to #34, the Renault Zoe up 131% to #39, VW Passat up 82% to #40, Skoda Fabia up 91% to #49 and the Jeep Renegade once again just outside the Top 50 at #53. Finally, we welcome the Jaguar XE at #157 and the Ssangyong Tivoli at #221.

Previous month: France May 2015: Peugeot 308 above 208, Renault Kadjar lands

One year ago: France June 2014: Renault Captur above 208, up to record #2 spot

Full June 2015 Top 42 All-brands and Top 270 models below.