France May 2025: Volumes down -12.3%, BEV private sales down -58%

The Citroen C3 Aircross II leaps inside the Top 15 in May.

25/06 update: Now with Top 52 brands and Top 300 models.

Another disappointing month for French new car sales with May off -12.3% year-on-year to just 123,919. This is the lowest May volume since pandemic-stricken May 2020. The year-to-date tally is now down -8.3% to 672,700 units and at this rate we are headed towards a full year result around 1.5 million units. This would be comparable to the mediocre score of 2022 (1,529,035) which itself was the weakest annual volume since 1975 (1.482.343). Even more worryingly, both private (only 40% share) and fleet sales (-18%) fall heavily, with tactical channels (short term rentals, demo sales) preventing the market to fall even faster. The most notable result is the -58% year-on-year fall in BEV purchases by private buyers to 14% share, whereas BEV fleets are up 15% to 19% share.

The Renault Clio hits 7.9% share, its highest since April 2020.

All in all, BEV sales fall -18.8% to 19,414 and 15.7% share vs. 16.9% in May 2025. Petrol is down -30.2% to 30,217 and 24.4% share vs. 30.6% a year ago and diesel sinks -39.3% to 6,925 and 5.6% share vs. 8.1%. In contrast, HEVs grow 14.7% to 54,553 and 44% share vs. 33.7% last year. PHEVs are weak at -19.8% to 8,180 and 6.6% share vs. 7.2%. Over the first five months of the year, BEVs are down -7.4% to 119,475 and 17.8% share vs. 17.6% over the same period in 2024, petrol freefalls -34.3% to 157,100 and 23.4% share vs. 32.6%, diesel is off -43.4% to 31,752 and 4.7% share vs. 7.7%, HEVs surge 38.3% to 301,880 and 44.9% share vs. 29.8% and PHEVs skid -37.4% to 37,365 and 5.6% share vs. 8.1% in 2024.

The new Bigster helps Dacia up to 9.6% share, its highest this year so far.

Looking at the brands ranking, Renault (-15.2%) loses share year-on-year but still holds 18% of the market vs. 15.1% for Peugeot (-5.2%) resisting better. Dacia (+12.4%) defies the negative market and is up to 9.6% share, its highest since the 10.3% of last August. Citroen (+2.7%) manages a second consecutive month in positive but has to contend with just 7.4% share. That’s better than Volkswagen (-15.5%) and Toyota (-26.5%) both in dire straits as is BMW (-22.2%) at #7. Skoda (+13.3%) is the biggest gainer in the Top 10 and reaches a record 8th place, also hit last October, November and March. Audi (-17.7%) and Mercedes (-19.4%) close out the Top 10. MG (+199.2%) climbs 6 ranks on last month to #14. Notice also Cupra (+7.9%) and Mini (+7.5%). Tesla implodes -67.2%.

The BYD Dolphin Surf has landed in France and accounts for 44% of the brand’s May sales.

The Renault Clio (+23.4%) improves on an already exceptional April result, leaping up to 7.9% share which is the nameplate’s highest since pandemic-stricken April 2020 (11.5%). The Peugeot 208 (-20.9%) is relegated three percentage points of share below at 4.9%. It distances the Dacia Sandero (-0.6%) and Peugeot 2008 (-12.3%). The Citroen C3 IV is down one spot on April to #5 ahead of the Dacia Duster III and Peugeot 3008 III. The new Renault Symbioz ranks #8 and outsells its little brother the Renault Captur (-38.9%) which seems cannibalised. The Peugeot 308 (-12.1%) is back inside the Top 10. We have a newcomer in the Top 20: the Citroen C3 Aircross II up 26 ranks to #14. The Renault 5 is down three ranks to #16, as the honeymoon launch period seems to have ended. It is outsold by the Citroen e-C3 in the BEV models charts (1,500 vs. 1,469). Notice also the Dacia Bigster up 9 spots to #23, the BYD Dolphin Surf landing directly at #72 and the Renault 4 up to #87.

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

One year ago: France May 2024: First market decline in 22 months, Toyota (+31.3%), Opel (+27.9%) stand out

Full May 2025 Top 52 brands and Top 300 models below.