France February 2016: Dacia and Opel shine in market up 13%

The Renault Talisman breaks into the French Top 50 for the first time.

* See the Top 50 All-brands and Top 316 All-models by clicking on the title *

The French new car market accelerates its artificial growth – because not driven by private sales – at +13% in February to 166.739 registrations, lifting the year-to-date total up 9% to 305.139 units. The rankings are back to bit of normality, with Renault back in the lead with 19.6% share above Peugeot at 16.9% and Citroen at 10.3%. The everlasting effects of the emissions scandal are clearly visible on Volkswagen sales this month in France: it is the only brand losing ground (-2%) in the Top 25… Particularly strong performers include (in order of ranking) Dacia (+34%), Opel (+26%), Fiat (+25%), Audi (+20%), BMW (+26%), Kia (+41%), Skoda (+46%), Land Rover (+82%), Mazda (+56%), Jaguar (+436%), Infiniti (+159%) and Ssangyong (+441%).

Dacia Sandero sales are up 49% year-on-year in France in February. 

In the models ranking, the Renault Clio (+14%) reclaims the top spot at 9.261 sales but the Peugeot 208 (8.404) remains #1 year-to-date for now at 16.092 units (+23%) vs. 15.257 (-1%). The Peugeot 308 (+22%) is regular in third place above the Renault Captur (-2%) and Peugeot 2008 (+5%). Excellent performance of the Dacia Sandero remaining in 7th position thanks to sales surging 49% year-on-year to 4.307 units. The VW Polo (#8) is the only foreigner in the Top 14 but one of six in the Top 20 with the Toyota Yaris (#15) and Nissan Qashqai (#17) performing the best at +21% both. The Renault Kadjar resumes its march to the top at #12, only outperformed in its segment by the Dacia Duster (+22%).

The Fiat Tipo is back in France. Picture courtesy largus.fr 

Among recent launches, the 4th generation Renault Mégane gains 9 spots on January to land at #22, the all-new Renault Espace is up 12 ranks to #28, the Opel Astra is up 165% to #30 thanks to the new model, the Renault Talisman breaks into the Top 50 for the first time, the Honda HR-V is up 21 to #128, the Fiat Tipo reappears in the French sales charts for the first time in 20 years at #142 with 148 units sold, the Infiniti Q30 is up 66 spots on last month to #174 and the Ssangyong Tivoli is up 26 to #188.

DR Zero in La Turbie, France. Picture courtesy Maxime Poujade

Finally, let’s notice DR Motor, the Italian assembler of Chery models, selling 3 additional units of its Zero, creeping up to #280 overall. Thanks to Maxime Poujade, a BSCB reader, we now have a little more information about the arrival of DR Zero in France. It turns out an Isuzu dealer in La Turbie (06) near Monaco and – fittingly – only 20 km from the Italian border, has become the official importer of DR Motor for France and Monaco, offering a two-model lineup composed of the Zero and the DR5 SUV (a Chery Tiggo). A dozen Zero and a couple of DR5 were stocked on premises as of early March. Even if you live in France, it may be the first time you hear about this deal, as it has gone completely unnoticed in the specialised media. You’re welcome!

Previous month: France January 2016: Peugeot 208 and 308 lead market biased by tactics

One year ago: France February 2015: Renault Twingo III breaks into Top 5

Full February 2016 Top 50 All-brands and Top 316 All-models below.