France April 2025: Sales down -5.6%, Renault up, places Symbioz above Captur

The Renault Symbioz outsells the Captur for the first time.

23/05 update: Now with Top 329 All models ranking

15/05 update: Now with Top 57 All brands ranking

Another disappointing month for French new car sales, down -5.6% year-on-year in April to 138,694 and leading to a year-to-date tally off -7.3% to 548,779. The only channels showing growth are tactical: short term rentals and self registrations whereas private and fleet sales collapse. More concerning, private leases sink by over 20% this month. SUVs are dominant once again with over 52% share. Petrol sales are down -38.7% to just 28,932, diesel is off -41.1% to and LPG down -25.7% to 4,869. In contrast, HEV are up 37.7% to 63,060 and BEVs edge up 2.4% to 25,542 and 18.4% share vs. 17% in April 2024 but PHEVs drop -11.7% to 9,593. Year-to-date, petrol is down -35.2% to 126,883, diesel is down -44.5% to 24,827, HEVs soar 44.9% to 247,327, BEVs dip -4.8% to 100,061 and 18.2% share vs. 17.8% over the same period in 2024 and PHEVs sink -41% to 29.185.

Renault (+4.3%) showcases solid growth to 19% share, almost two percentage points above its April 2024 result (17.2%). Peugeot (-10.7%) on the other hand struggles at just 12.9% share. Dacia (-4.8%) maintains itself at 8.8% of the market while Toyota (-11.2%) gains two spots on March to #4, overtaking Citroen (+6.2%), in positive for the first time this year, and Volkswagen (-15.4%). BMW (-12.8% also suffers whereas Mercedes (+24.8%) and Skoda (+12.1%) are both in great shape. Mini shoots up 120.2%, Cupra is up 51% and MG up 133.1% but the winner of the month is BYD, up a spectacular 906.8% to break into the French Top 20 for the first time at #18.

In the models charts, the Renault Clio (+16.6%) sails into the distance with 6.8% share, the nameplate’s highest in exactly 5 years: since pandemic-stricken April 2020. The Peugeot 208 (-31%) and Dacia Sandero (-35.9%) are both in freefall below, while the Citroen C3 IV is back up two ranks on last month to #4. The Peugeot 2008 (-17.4%) is also in trouble at #5, followed by the Dacia Duster III. Once again it’s a very strong month for the new Renault Symbioz, up a further one spot on March to a record 7th place. Most notably the Symbioz outsells its little brother the Captur (-23.7%) for the first time. The Toyota Yaris (+19.9%) and Yaris Cross (+7.7%) also shine just as the Peugeot 3008 III celebrates one year in market but drops to #10 vs. #6 year-to-date. The Renault 5 slips outside the Top 10 for the first time since last October at #13. Notice also the Mini Hatch IV up to #15 and the Dacia Bigster up to #32. The BYD Seal U breaks into the Top 50 at #48.

Previous month: France March 2025: Renault Symbioz crack Top 10, Tesla off -36.8%

One year ago: France April 2024: Market up 10.9%, Toyota breaks monthly volume record

Full April 2025 Top 57 All brands and Top 329 All models below.