France February 2025: Renault (+20.4%) reclaims control in stable market

The Renault Symbioz is up to a record #13 in France in February.

14/03 update: Now with Top 244 All models ranking

141,569 new cars found a buyer in France in February, showing a market returning to stability at -0.7% year-on-year. Keep in mind February 2024 was up 12% on the year prior. The year-to-date tally after two months is off -3.3% to 256,242 units. Petrol sales sink -27% to 35,110 and 24.8% share vs. 33.7% a year ago and diesel crashes -34.4% to 6,707 and 4.7% share vs. 7.2% in February 2024. HEVs surge 50.7% to 62,144 and 43.9% share vs. 28.9%, that includes 30,571 full hybrids (+28.4%) and 31,573 mild hybrids  (+81.3%). PHEVs are in freefall at -45% to 6,451 and 4.6% share vs. 8.2%. Finally BEVs edge down -2% to 25,335 and 17.9% share vs. 18.1%. Year-to-date, petrol sales are down -27.5% to 65,084 and 25.4% share vs. 33.9% over the same period in 2024, diesel is off -41.2% to 11,663 and 4.6% share vs. 7.5%, HEVs are up 51.4% to 113,591 and 44.3% share vs. 28.3% including 57,671 full hybrids (+28.5%) and 55,920 mild hybrids (+85.4%), PHEVs lose -49.3% to 11,303 and 4.4% share vs. 8.4% and BEVs drop -1.4% to 17.7% share vs. 17.3%.

The DS No 8 makes its first appearance in the French charts in February.

In the brands ranking, Renault (+20.4%) rallies back on a weak year-ago comparison to 17.3% share, overtaking Peugeot (+0.7%) at 15.8%. Dacia (+9.3%), Citroen (-2.3%) and Volkswagen (+20.5%) all gain one spot on January to #2, #3 and #4 respectively, all taking advantage of the relative weakness of Toyota (-4.7%) down three ranks to #6. As a result Citroen is up to #4 year-to-date vs. #6 over the Full Year 2024. Skoda (+29.6%) delivers the largest gain near the top at #9, achieving a 5th Top 10 finish in the past 7 months which are record levels for the brand. Below, Cupra (+40.2%), Nissan (+38%) and Mini (+34.2%) impress while among smaller brands Leapmotor (+1353.3%), Alpine (+228.4%), BYD (+65.8%) and Mazda (+62.3%) stand out. Tesla drops -26.2%.

… as does the Renault 4.

The Renault Clio (+24.9%) reclaims the top spot it held over the Full Year 2024, even grabbing the YTD lead as well. Surprise leader last month, the new Citroen C3 IV stays at a fantastic 5.4% share but drops to #2. The Peugeot 208 (-31.7%) is in freefall at #3 both for the month and year-to-date. Meanwhile the Dacia Sandero (+10.3%) and Peugeot 2008 (+58.2%) both post solid scores to round out the Top 5. The Peugeot 3008 III (+4905.6%) repeats at a strong 6th place with 3.1% share, ahead of the Dacia Duster III up one rank to #7. The Renault 5 lodges a 4th consecutive month inside the Top 10 at #9, confirming its success, but drops to #2 BEV in the country, just 24 units below the Citroen e-C3. Finally the Renault Symbioz is up two spots on last month to a record #13. We have a couple of notable French new models entering the charts this month: the DS No 8 at #144 and the Renault 4 at #223.

Previous month: France January 2025: Citroen C3 triumphs

One year ago: France February 2024: Stellantis (+21%) shines in market up 12%

Full February 2025 Top 55 All brands and Top 244 All models below.