Data from the firm NGC Data® show a 16.3% drop in the new car market in the first half of 2022, with only 772,046 registrations over the period. Peugeot and Renault, which both show significant declines, are neck and neck.
The French automobile market recorded a thirteenth consecutive decline in June. New car registrations fell by 14.2% this month, totaling 171,112 units (NGC Data® data). Although the decline is still significant compared to last year, June was by far the most prolific month in terms of volumes since January 2022. As in May, Renault (–0.8%) took first place of the French market in this sixth month, with a market share of 21.3%. Peugeot, which rather limited damage (– 4.9%), comes far behind (share of 16.6%). Thanks to a jump of 15.9%, Dacia is once again on the third step of the podium, with a market share of 10.1%.
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The plunge of Citroën, the rebound of Nissan
The contrast is striking with Citroën, whose registrations fell by 29.4% in June (share of 7.7%). Several other brands recorded notable declines this month: Volkswagen (–38.9%), DS (–41.3%), Suzuki (–46.5%), Seat (–61.3%), Volvo ( – 48.5%) and Jeep (– 55.2%). alone five brands in the top 30 recorded growth in June : Dacia (+15.9%), Mercedes-Benz (+13.6%), Nissan (+18.4%), MG (+185.9%) and Cupra (+45.1%).
NV registrations per month on 1er semester 2022
- January: 102,901 units
- February: 115,383
- March: 147,098
- April 108,733
- May 126,819
- June: 171,112
Shortages, inflation and purchasing power
In the first half of 2022, shortages continue to disrupt the production of new cars, while rising commodity prices as well as the war in Ukraine caused an acceleration of inflation. “Purchasing power is more than ever at the center of the concerns of car buyers, who are increasingly moving towards electrified models analyzes Marie-Laure Nivot, market intelligence manager at AAA Data. And to add: The surge in fuel prices is not abating despite government aid. The relationship with the automobile is changing, and new trends such as reconditioned second-hand cars are making sense for motorists seeking to reconcile responsible consumption with a constrained budget. »
Peugeot and Renault, battle for the “yellow jersey”
Citroën’s market share fell to 8.8% in the first half of 2022.
In the first six months, the automotive market fell by 16.3%, to 772,046 units. It is doing better compared to the first half of 2020 (715,798 units), which had been weighed down by the first confinement. On the other hand, it suffers from the comparison with the 2019 (1,166,442 copies) and 2018 (1,188,150 copies) financial years, showing a loss of around 400,000 units. Renault, which had ceded its historic position as the leading automotive brand in France to Peugeot in 2021, has returned to the race in these first months. The lion firm retains its position by a short head, with a market share of 16.6% (17.2% at the end of 2021). Renault is well in its wheel (share of 16.5%). Despite a 25.3% drop since January, Citroën retains its third place overall (8.8% share). The chevron brand is closely followed by Dacia (8.4% share).
The weight of French brands continues to melt
The three French generalist brands have left their mark in recent months. In total, over this first half, they represent a 41.9% share of the French market (compared to 43% in 2021, 47.2% in 2020 and 46.2% in 2019). The Korean brands Hyundai (+ 4.1%) and Kia (+ 3.3%) are those that benefit the most from the loss of speed of Peugeot, Renault and Citroën. Note also the strong growth of the MG Motor (+173.5%) and Cupra (+79.5%), recently launched brands, as well as the recovery of Alfa Romeo (+16.8%) and Mitsubishi (+ 47.6%).
