France Passenger Car Sales : 2026 (Jan-Jun)

Registrations were up 11% in June and 2% YTD. Renault has established a healthy lead over Peugeot. Renault owned Dacia is next, having lost 6% market share and is close to being overtaken by Citroën. Tesla has moved up ten places and is safely ensconced in the top ten. 

Chinese brands are establishing themselves here, offering value in the EV segment. For now, just to are in the top twenty, MG and BYD. Others are arriving but how far they get remains to be seen. 

 France gives EVs subsidies depending on the carbon used to build the car and ship it to France. Chinese car brands rely heavily on coal power, and shipping cars to Europe adds more carbon. This effectively disqualifies many Chinese models from receiving the cash rebate. If EVs are bought to help the environment, then it makes sense. 

Data source: CCFA.
Photo sources: Renault (Symbioz) & Citroën (e-C3).

France Top 50 Models: 2025

Below we have the usual colour coded chart showing the best selling passenger car models and which region they are associated with. There is no surprise that French brands and those owned by them are doing well. In addition, both the Yaris and Yaris Cross are also made in France. 

Data source: CCFA.

Photo source: Citroen (ë-C3) & Nissan (Qashqai) France.

Brands From China In France : 2025 (Jan -Nov)

The chart to the right shows sales of brands that are based in China. Rk is where they rank compared to all brands, MS is market share and +/- shows increases over 12 months of 2024. 

There have been some impressive gains plus some new ones, n/a showing that. Saying that, compared to many other markets, the 3.1% overall penetration is low. 

MG is well established (since 2020) and BYD has wasted no time in moving up the rankings, 2024 is its first full year here. Leapmotor and Xpeng have done well in a short time as well. 

It will be interesting to see what develops from here. The EU have set tariffs based on what they have determined are unfair subsidies. These are not imposed as a blanket figure but vary according to the calculated amount of the subsidy. 

This will have impacted the numbers compared to the UK, where they haven't acted on this issue so far. I would like to do an article on Norway, which has like the UK, does not impose tariffs. I just don't get enough data to do that. 

For others in the series: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore. The UK.

Data source: AAADATA. 

Photo source: MG (EHS - top) and Xpeng (G6 -bottom) France. 

France Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (Jan-Aug)

Registrations were up 2% in August but down 7% YTD. Renault, Peugeot and Citroën each recorded an increase in market share. Last year they had 36% of the market when combined and YTD 39%. 

Dacia increased its portion which keeps it in third place. Toyota and VW both lost a place in the rankings due to Citroën's mini revival. Mercedes-Benz has fallen from 3.0% to 2.5% so far this year. Tesla is in a worse position, the drop in this instance from 2.4% to 1.4%. Fiat is down to 1.2%, well short of last year's 2.0%.

Land Rover sold over 10,000 vehicles last year but only 141 this year. I did a web search but couldn't find an explanation. My guess is it may be something to do with fines for excess emissions. There are French visitors to the site and if you could explain, plese leave a comment. You don't have to register to do so. 

The top selling models were:

Renault Clio - 66,910

Peugeot 208 - 47,720

Dacia Sandero - 44,169

Peugeot 2008 - 37,572

Peugeot 3008 - 27,614

Dacia Duster - 26,908

Citroën C3 - 26,567 (picture above)

Renault Captur - 25,349

Toyota Yaris Cross - 22,150

Renault Symbioz - 21,241

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 50 Models.

Data source: AAAData. Picture Source: Citroën.

France Top 50 : 2024

The source only provides a top 100 list and they break down models into more detail than I do so I combined some figures, the ones that I could. 

For example, there are two figures for the Dacia Duster into the older and newer model but I combined them. There will be examples where I have insufficient data to do that.

The models with a French connection are certainly well represented at the top of the list. Renault narrowly takes top honours with the Clio.

Peugeot counted with a strong effort with the Clio's direct competitor in the form of the 208. Then Renault's Dacia wades in with its similarly sized budget focused Sandero. That would be my pick of the three. 

After the European onslaught at the top, there are Asian brand offerings that appear. Toyota is the main one as per usual. The USA has Tesla and Ford bringing four models to the table. 

So there isn't any real surprises here, the usual suspects hogging the limelight. 

Data source: CCFA.

France Passenger Car Sales : 2024

The market was up 1% in December and -3% for the year. The total of just over 1.7 million is superior to the last few years but a few hundred thousand short of the years of the best earlier this century.

Renault has been battling it out with Peugeot for the top spot, the former looking to make a repeat of podium finishes. Renault owned Dacia is third and Toyota has passed Citroën to claim fourth, the latter falling back to sixth. I've got statistics going back a long way and Citroën has never been this low in France. It has usually been third. I take it the pulling back on volume is intentional to improve the bottom line. 

Data source: CCFA.

France Top 50 Sales : 2023

      Of the top seven models, all are French or French owned, so plenty of loyalty there. The Tesla Y at ninth is the first interloper. European models do best here with a reasonable smattering of Asian and US models as the list descends. 

Peugeot has been winning the brand war with Renault regarding passenger cars but the empire has struck back. The Clio has passed the 208 to regain the lead and in dramatic fashion. How much it matters to these companies I'm unsure but there are usually some bragging rights attached to such matters.

Data source: CCFA.

France Passenger Car Sales : 2023

Registrations were up 14% in December and 15% YTD. The 'Diff' column shows market share change. With the semiconductor issue behind manufacturers, it's now a case of getting stock to customers. Over the last few years the French car market has been subdued so some pent up demand is now being satisfied. 

The traditional duo of Peugeot and Citroën are at historic lows when it comes to market share but that is not unexpected as choice increases and chasing volume is more than ever seen as a vain exercise. Renault is on the up and has regained the leading position after surprisingly surrendering it two years ago. Renault owned Dacia (picture below) is at a record high as this value driven brand flourishes. 

Tesla has been rather late to the party in France but has now entered the top ten list and presumably has its sights set higher. A few Chinese brands have joined the ranks but are yet to make too much of a splash, MG leading the charge. 

France Top 50 Sales By Model : 2022

Models from French manufacturers dominate the top of the list. Dacia is owned by Renault and that fact is not lost on the local buying public. The Peugeot 208 is well ahead of the rest, the sort of position that a Renault model would always hold historically. 

Data Source: CCFA.

France Sales : 2022

Registrations for December were the same as last year while the complete 2022 was -8%. The '+/- diff' column below is for market share change. Peugeot took a second year as top dog from Renault despite the latter being the leading brand going back into the mists of time. However, the gap is slightly narrowing as the empire strikes back. Additionally, if light commercial vehicles are added, Renault is comfortably ahead. 

VW was a solid fourth a couple of years ago but Dacia (Renault owned) is storming along and is now exceeded Citroën's level of volume. Toyota has also moved past VW but it is too close to say that will become a regular feature. 

Data source: AAA Data.

France Production Top 15 Models : 2021

When you think of production in France, you may be thinking of French Brand names but no. There are many others too sometimes due to connections they have with local brands. 

I think Renault builds the Nissan Micra at a factory in France to appease the French government who were unimpressed with Renault not building enough cars at home. Renault has a controlling interest in Nissan. Opel/Vauxhall coming under PSA ownership led to models being made here. Toyota gets vans made for it in Europe, hence the Proace. 

France Top 50 Sales By Model : 2021

The Renault Clio has been the darling of the French car buying public, being the top selling model for decades. However, with Peugeot taking over the brand race in 2021 - after always living in the shadow of Renault - so too the top model has seen a changing of the guard. Technically it took place last year but I combined Clio IV to Clio V and preserved that long run of history. 

I colour coded the list to show where brands historically originated. Considering how well local models do, it's not as eurocentric as it could be. Asian models are reasonably represented, even if it is mainly toward the lower end of the list. 

Point of interest: Fuel types are changing rapidly. Diesel engines now motivate only 20% of new cars sold in 2021 (30% 2020). For a nation that was not so long ago in love with them, that's quite a turnaround. Petrol still holds 40% (46%), electric 10% (7%) and the rest 29% (16%) which is mainly hybrid. 

Data source: CCFA.

France Sales : 2021

Registrations in France for December were -15% +1% YTD. Things are consistent but well short compared to previous years of 2019 (-550,000) and before. The main thing is sufficient stock and it appears that hasn't been great. The '+/-' column below is comparing market share variance for 2021 with 2020. 

Peugeot has played second fiddle to Renault since whenever but it finally reached the summit of the French car market. There wasn't much in it but there doesn't have to be. If light commercials are added, then Renault is the larger but ere we just look at passenger cars. 

Dacia passed VW, Cupra is now separated from SEAT and MG is mounting an assault as it has been doing successfully elsewhere. Other new entrants from China are Lynk & Co and Aiways, which are showing some promise but it's early days to see if that's sustained. Lynk & Co sounds rather like Lincoln but I'm sure that's coincidental. 

Point of interest: The big three French brands (Peugeot, Renault and Citroën) take a sizable chunk of registrations. In the 1970's it was around 70%, gradually reducing from there to 2012 when it dipped below 50% for the first time. It's held up well from there but is currently at just over 43%. 

That's still a strong position but Renault's losing ground is the reason for the trend. The marque has gone from one revered in its home market to one not so anymore. It's not that they are doing things badly but aren't doing great things anymore. 

France Renault / Peugeot Comparison : 2009-2021

The Renault Captur could do with more help

Renault has been the best selling car in France for so long. It's also managed to be the top selling brand in its main market Europe at certain times too. Today is a long way from there as it slides down the rankings in Europe and facing being bumped out of its perennial leadership back home.  

In 2009, it had a sizable advantage over Peugeot but that lessened as the years have since passed. Regarding traditional cars Renault does well but as for SUVs and especially crossover vehicles, Peugeot seems to have made a better fist of that. 

By 2020, the difference in registrations had become negligible and for 2021 Peugeot has pulled clear of its rival. If the year continues as it has been, then a notable change will have occurred in the French car market. Even if Renault was in some way able to regain the lead, it would surely only be a temporary reprieve.

The question now is does it really matter which brand is the top selling one? Yes and no. If the top spot is secured through discounting then of course not. If it can be done in a profitable way, it proves the product is right. In the SUV and crossover area, I think Peugeot is doing that better and that's why it's now at the top in France. 

It's Peugeot's impressive crossover lineup

Renault Production France : 2016-20

Renault production in France involves six factories, the Renault Group model or external brand they are made for are listed below. Total production across Europe (including Russia) was 1,671,700, down 22.4%. Renault and Dacia are the Renault Group models made. The vehicles they make for other companies are shown as totals rather than models. The data is from Renault and is generally easy to follow but there are a few areas where I had to estimate. 

The miserable 2020 is reflected by what is seen here. It is unreasonable to read too much into the data, other than to be aware of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had on things. The total of vehicles made in France alone was 543,300, -20.8%. The new Clio had a lift in volume but otherwise it was subdued. 2021 is continuing the theme of challenging issues that car makers currently have to face.

France Top Premium Brands Graph : 2000-20

France doesn't have a premium brand unless one counts the fringe player DS which has recently been created for that purpose. It should morph into something more premium rather than being a Citroën with bling, which seems to be what's happening. 

German premium marques are the mainstay of this segment. Back in 2000, it was Mercedes, followed by Audi. The arrival of the MINI just after that gave impetus to the company's sales and has led since 2007. Audi got the better of Mercedes for a few years but M-B struck back. DS came on quickly but is now regrouping after a sales retraction.

As for the bottom feeders, Alfa Romeo has been quite popular but even dabbling in an SUV hasn't been enough to avert a slump. Volvo is slowly on the up and JLR has meandered along without ruffling competitor's feathers.

I don't know if a picture of someone waiting for a car to
be recharged is the way to promote electric propulsion

France Top Brands Graph : 1995-2020

The Peugeot 208

Below is a France graph or as I call it fra gra. Culinary jokes aside, it becomes clear the strength of French brands in their homeland. Renault has been the kingpin for so long but is currently fighting off Peugeot for that position. Citroën was closer to the two leaders but has fallen back since around 2010.

The Citroën Xsara Picasso

Ford and Opel were quite well placed in 2005 but over the decades, the trend has been downward. VW has held steady through some financial downturns but this 2020 well and truly beat it. Dacia is owned by Renault and benefits from that connection, surging from 2005 but it too succumbed to the virus. Toyota gained through the 1990's and early 2000's and in 2020 fared better than others. 

The Renault Mégane

France Premium Comparison : 2018-20

The MINI is a very important marque for the BMW Group and In France it keeps the group well ahead of Mercedes. JLR and Alfa Romeo are fast becoming a marginal brands here. This contrasts with Lexus and Porsche which are both small selling but are at least slowly inching their way to improved market share. 

Data source: CCFA.