New car registrations fell 20.5% in September 2021 compared to the same month last year, to 133,835 units. A short month which bears witness to a sluggish market due to a lack of products and which suggests a complicated final quarter.
Few cars for sale, few registrations. According to data from NGC-Data®, the automotive market fell 20.5% in September 2021 compared to the same month last year, totaling 133,835 cars, ie a deficit of nearly 34,500 units. The decline amounted to – 22.8% compared to September 2019. The reduced supply at dealers, resulting from low production rates in the factories of manufacturers (some have even closed in recent weeks) related to semiconductor shortage, and the lengthened delivery times partly explain this so low volume for the month of September. This is the fourth consecutive month in decline for the French automotive market.
TO READ. All indicators of the French automotive market in September 2021
Renault ahead of Peugeot in September
Renault took the opportunity to take back orders, with a market share of 18.2%, and thus catch up on Peugeot (share of 15.5% in September). The lion brand showed a 35.8% drop in registrations this month. Citroën completes the podium with a penetration of 10.4%. The brands Mercedes-Benz (- 43.3%), Alfa Romeo (- 45.4%) and Mitsubishi (- 64.8%) showed the most significant falls in September. Conversely, ten brands showed positive variations, among which Hyundai (+ 31.1%), Kia (+ 13.9%), Tesla (+ 157%) and DS (+ 17.6%).
In this sluggish market, the firm AAA Data notes that SUVs generate an ever-growing demand, represent 43% of new car registrations in September. In terms of engines, 44% of SUV buyers have opted for the hybrid (including plug-in), which supplants diesel (19%), while gasoline is at 29% and electric at 6%. Across the NV market as a whole, electric powertrains jumped 70% and reached a share of 13% over the month. Hybrids (including plug-in) climbed 40% in September (27% of registrations).
A market far from expectations in 2021
Over the first three quarters, new car registrations are up 8% compared to the same period last year, to 1,260,373 units (compared to 1,641,368 at the end of September 2019). As a reminder, at the end of June 2021, the automotive market was showing an increase of 28.9% compared to last year. In view of the current dynamics, new car registrations should not exceed the 1.7 million unit mark this year. Several brands are already showing a negative performance over the year compared to last year, as sales to individuals are down.
Despite a slight improvement in recent months, Renault shows a drop of 9.6% since January, posting a share of 16.1%. The diamond brand has somewhat caught up with Peugeot, whose share stands at 17.3%. Other brands in decline over the first nine months: Ford (- 13.9%), Opel (- 5.6%) or even Nissan (- 16.6%). The main increases since January are to be put to the credit of Dacia (+ 27.4%), Volkswagen (+ 32.8%), Audi (+ 28.8%), Hyundai (+ 31.3%) and Tesla (+ 235.2%).
