France Passenger Car Sales Decline in January as Market Hits 15-Year Low

Plateforme de la Filière Automobile (PFA) announced that France passenger car sales totaled 107,157 units in January, reflecting a 6.6% decline compared to the same month last year. According to French media reports, this marked the lowest January level for passenger car registrations in 15 years, excluding the semiconductor-related disruption seen in 2022.

Performance of Major Automotive Groups

Group Stellantis recorded sales of 34,666 units during the month, posting a 2.7% year-on-year decline while maintaining a market share of 32.4%. Renault Group delivered a comparatively resilient performance, with sales rising 1.1% to 28,309 units, translating into a 26.4% market share. Volkswagen Group registered 14,836 units, down 7.2% year on year, accounting for 13.8% of the market. Toyota reported a sharper contraction, with sales declining 15.4% to 9,513 units and a market share of 8.9%.

Premium and Other Brands

Hyundai Group experienced a significant downturn, with sales falling 28.7% to 4,220 units, representing a 3.9% share. BMW Group also saw a steep decline of 24.0%, with 4,191 units sold and a similar 3.9% share. Ford sales dropped 27.7% to 2,118 units, leaving the brand with a 2.0% market share.

Light Commercial Vehicles and Total Market

Sales of light commercial vehicles declined by 2.8% in January, reaching 24,663 units. When combining passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, total new light vehicle registrations fell 5.9% year on year to 131,820 units, underscoring the continued pressure on the broader automotive market.

Electric Vehicle Share and Market Dynamics

Although the share of electric vehicle sales climbed to 28.3%, this increase was largely attributed to the impact of social leasing programs designed to support electric vehicle purchases. Market observers noted that this rise does not indicate a genuine recovery in underlying demand, as overall France passenger car sales continue to face structural and economic challenges.