The French car market grew by 6.8% in 2015, its best gain since 2009 and exceeded 1.9 million units, according to official statistics released Monday by the French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA).
The French car market grew by 6.8% in 2015, its best gain since 2009 and exceeded 1.9 million units, according to official statistics released Monday by the French Automobile Manufacturers (CCFA).
In December, when new car registrations increased 12.5% compared to the same month of 2014, the Volkswagen Group, a prey to fixing scandal diesel engines, saw its shipments fall 8.9% while as Renault jumped 26.7%, PSA Peugeot Citroën his side progressing by 7.7%.
For the full year, Volkswagen, which remains the largest importer with 12.9% market share, still ahead by 3.9%, however, at 9.4% compared to the average recorded by foreign groups.
French manufacturers have meanwhile increased less than average, with 4.6%.However, they hold 54.2% market share in their stronghold and monopolize the “top 10” of the models sold. Renault saw its shipments grow by 5.2% last year and 4.2% PSA.
In an unfavorable context for diesel engines, between the Volkswagen case and government announcements on the tightening of taxation with gasoline, diesel cars have even lost ground in 2015 and now represent only 57.2% of the market against 63.9% in 2014. Petrol cars have convinced 38.6% of buyers (33% in 2014).
Meanwhile, cars powered in part or whole to electricity continued to nibble share last year: hybrid rose to 3.2% penetration (+0.8 points), while the 100% electric cars, in a context of strong government incentives, reached 0.9% against 0.6% in registrations in 2014, according to the CCFA.
