France April 2021: Renault Clio V back on top, Hyundai (+19.8%) impresses, sales down -25.4% on two years ago

The Renault Clio V is the best-selling vehicle in France in April.

13/05 update: Now with Top 50 All-brands and Top 286 All-models.

New car sales in France are up 568.8% year-on-year in April to 140.426 units, reflecting the strict national lockdown in place in April 2020 and lifting the year-to-date tally up 51% to 582.217 registrations. A more adequate comparison set is with April 2019 at 188.195 sales, showing a -25.4% decline and demonstrating that the French market is still far off returning to its pre-pandemic level. According to AAA Data, the share of leasing (locally split between LOA – leasing with purchase option and LLD – long term leasing) climbs to a whopping 47% vs 37% in April 2019. Petrol remains the most popular fuel at 61.231 sales and 43.6% share ahead of diesel at 33.091 and 23.6% share and hybrids at 33.002 and 23.5% share. Cars account for 47% of the French market in April thanks to 66.018 sales, followed closely by SUVs at 62.453 and 44.5%.

The Peugeot 5008 is up to a record #11 at home.

All evolutions are compared with April 2019. Over in the brands ranking, Peugeot (-23.4%) betters the market slightly to secure an 8th win in the past 9 months and cements its YTD domination over Renault (-30.7%). So far this year, Peugeot holds 19.1% of its home market vs. 15.4% for Renault. Keep in mind if these positions remain unchanged until the end of the year it would be the first time Peugeot becomes the most popular carmaker in France. Citroen (-35.4%) and Dacia (-35.8%) are struggling in April, Volkswagen (-24.3%) matches the market while Toyota (-0.6%) is stable in a depleted context and snaps the 5th spot off Dacia for the month. Premium Germans Mercedes (-11.2%), Audi (-11.1%) and BMW (-11.1%) all evolve identically and Hyundai (+19.8%) scores the best performance in the Top 20, cracking the Top 10 brands at #10. Other gainers further down include Mini (+11.9%), Volvo (+6.5%) and Skoda (+2.9%).

The VW T-Cross also breaks its ranking record at #16.

Model-wise, the Renault Clio V reclaims the top spot for the first time this year, distancing its archenemy the Peugeot 208 II by 429 sales. That’s not enough to displace the 208 II from its YTD pedestal. The Peugeot 2008 II remains in third place both for the month and year-to-date while the Peugeot 3008 (-2.2%) is lifted two spots on March by its facelift to #4 overall, knocking the Citroen C3 (-23.9%) down to #5. The Dacia Sandero III climbs up two ranks on last month also, ending April at #6 above the Renault Captur II and Twingo (-4%). The Toyota Yaris (-20.3%) is once again the best-selling foreign model in France at #10, distancing the Fiat 500 (-2.8%) at #15 and the VW T-Cross (+77.2%) at a record #16 (previous best: #19 in November 2020). Notice also the Peugeot 5008 up 19.4% to #11, also a new ranking record eclipsing its previous best of #12 hit in July 2018. Adding 3008 and 5008 volumes results in the best-selling vehicle for the month. The new Citroen C4 is up 9 spots to #14, the best ranking so far for this generation. The Toyota Corolla (+150.6%), Hyundai Tucson (+94.5%), Seat Ibiza (+55.3%) and Hyundai Kona (+48.1%) also impress further down.

Previous month: France March 2021: Peugeot scores 7th win in past 8 months, Tesla Model 3 signs first Top 10, market down -19.1% on two years ago

One year ago: France April 2020: Covid-19 pulls sales down -88.8% to lowest April volume in 70 years

Full April 2021 Top 50 All-brands and Top 286 All-models below.