New Caledonia (France) March 2021: Toyota Hilux, Yaris and Peugeot 2008 top market down -6.1%

The new generation lifts the Toyota Yaris to #2 in New Caledonia.

Unlike metropolitan France, new car sales in New Caledonia, a French overseas archipelago located north-east of Australia, actually drop year-on-year in March at -6.1% to 505 registrations, due to a 3-week Covid-19 lockdown. This means the year-to-date tally is now down -8.5% to 1.567. Toyota (+150%) is the hero of the month, multiplying its year-ago volume by 2.5 to hit a mammoth 25.7% share and cement its YTD domination at 17.2% of the market. Peugeot (+10.8%) is also up and gains five spots on February to land in 2nd place with 16.2% share vs. 9.7% so far this year. Kia (+76.5%) and Mitsubishi (+36.4%) also brave the negative market context with splendid lifts, but Renault (-67.3%), Nissan (-41.2%), Dacia (-34%) and Ford (-19.4%) are all in dire straits. Unlike last month there is no Chinese carmaker in the Top 10, with FAW leading the charge at #16 ahead of Dongfeng at #18.

Toyota is in control of the models ranking this month, placing the Hilux (+350%) and Yaris (+437.5%) in the Top 2 spots. The Peugeot 2008 (+750%) also shoots up, landing in third place overall and at #5 year-to-date. Below, the Peugeot 208 (-46.2%) and Dacia Duster (-36.7%) are in difficulty, with the latter losing the YTD top spot to the Toyota Hilux. The Hyundai Creta (+100%) is up 12 ranks on last month to return inside the Top 10 at #6. Notice also great performances by the Mitsubishi Sportero (+300%), Toyota Land Cruiser (+250%), Kia Picanto (+166.7%) and Toyota RAV4 (+166.7%).

Previous month: New Caledonia (France) February 2021: Dongfeng Joyear X6 up to #4, sales down -3.6%

One year ago: New Caledonia (France) March 2020: Nissan, VW ignore market down -25.9%

Full March 2021 Top 33 All-brands and Top 20 models below.