France October 2021: Peugeot 2008 signs first ever win in sinking market (-30.7%)

The Peugeot 2008 is the best-selling vehicle at home for the first time. Picture largus.fr

12/11 update: Now with Top 295 All-models.

4/11 update: Now with Top 55 All-brands.

There’s no light at the end of the tunnel just yet for new car sales in France, down year-on-year for the fifth consecutive month at a dreary -30.7% to just 118.521 registrations. That’s 52.529 units less than a year ago and it means the year-to-date tally is now up just 3.1% over the same period in 2020 at 1.378.894 units. Long term leases (+13.1%) and short term rental sales (+28.1%) are up while private sales drop -7.3%. In October, petrol sales freefall -43% year-on-year to 42.609 and 35.9% share vs. 43.7% a year ago, diesel volumes implode -57.8% to 22.883 and 19.3% share vs. 31.7% in October 2020, but HEV is up 11.8% to 21.553 and 18.2% share vs. 11.3% a year ago, PHEV is up 13% to 11.526 and 9.7% vs. 6% last year and BEV soars 55.2% to 15.588 and 13.1% vs. 5.9% in October 2020. Year-to-date, petrol is down -12.8% to 564.872 units and 41% share vs. 48.4% over the same period in 2020, diesel plunges -28.1% to 299.332 sales and 21.7% vs. 31.1% last year, but HEV surges 83.6% to 236.986 and 17.2% share vs. 9.6% a year ago, PHEV is up 124.5% to 113.353 and 8.2% share vs. 3.8% and BEV gains 52% to 122.518 and 8.9% share vs. 6% in 2020.

In the brands ranking, Peugeot (-37.6%) reclaims the top spot for the first time since July at 18.2% share, that’s one percentage point above archenemy Renault (-38.1%) falling even faster at 17.2% of the market. Peugeot cements its year-to-date lead at 17.4% share vs. 16.2% for Renault and is on target to become the best-selling carmaker at home over the Full Year 2021 for the first time annually. Citroen (-36.9%) completes an underperforming podium at 10% share vs. 9.8% so far this year. Low cost carmaker Dacia (+2.8%) swims upstream and posts the only year-on-year gain in the Top 8 to reach 8.3% share vs. 7.4% year-to-date, consolidating its 4th place over the first 10 months of 2021. Toyota (-4.4%) resists very well and topples Volkswagen (-45%) to rank #5 for the 5th time this year. Kia (-5.6%) also limits its fall and advances two spots on September to #7, equalling its record ranking in France also hit in March 2020. BMW (-22.2%) and Mercedes (-25.2%) manage to lose less ground than the market but the best performer in the Top 10 is Hyundai up 10.6% year-on-year to #9. There are no additional gainers in the Top 20, with DS (-18.9%) losing the least ground.

Model-wise, after the Dacia Sandero in January we have another first time winner this month: the Peugeot 2008 (+14.1%) surfs on the success of the new generation of the model to sign a first ever monthly win at home. It’s a clearcut win at that with 6.6% share vs. 5.2% for the #2. This is the first time an SUV is the best-selling vehicle in France. It however remains #4 year-to-date for now. The Renault Clio V (-22.3%) resists better than the market and drops one spot on September to #2, distancing the Peugeot 208 II (-38.4%) by 125 units. The Citroen C3 (-30.1%) remains in 4th place while the Dacia Sandero III drops two ranks to #5. Below, the Renault Captur (-41.4%) and Peugeot 3008 (-48.3%) both get hit full frontal while the Dacia Duster (-24.4%) contains its fall somewhat. The Renault Zoe (-6.3%) is up four spots on last month to return inside the Top 10 for the first time since last May at #9 with the Renault Megane (-34.3%) in tow. The Renault Arkana is down four ranks to #11 and the Dacia Spring up two to a record #13 with 1.9% share. The Fiat 500 (+94.5%) is the best-selling foreigner at #12. Among other recent launches, notice also the Peugeot 308 III up to #94 spots to #29, the Toyota Yaris Cross up 52 to #65 and the Kia EV6 up 156 to #68.

Previous month: Market dives -20.5%, Renault Arkana breaks into Top 10, Dacia Spring up to #15

One year ago: France October 2020: Peugeot 208 II widens gap with Renault Clio V in market down -9.5%

Full October 2021 Top 55 All-brands and Top 295 All-models below.