Sedans ahead of SUVs in new car purchases, electric not so popular in sales to individuals… An Argus study with NGC Data goes against certain preconceived ideas.
This is the big trend at this 2024 Paris Motor Show: new 100% electric models and SUVs on each stand. But while the market has slowed down in recent months in Europe, are these trends really out of step with what French individuals are currently buying?
Over the first nine months of the year, this private market represents 45% of new car sales, with just over 576,000 vehicles out of a total of 1.3 million. The rest of the market mainly focuses on corporate fleets and long- and short-term rental companies.
The “sedan” in front of the SUV
First surprise: the SUV is not the most popular body format among this private clientele, according to an Argus study with NGC Data. “Sedans” are ahead of them, with 49% of sales. But this includes a wide variety of models, from more or less versatile city cars to large sedans and compact sedans.
Models that we also find well placed in the ranking of best sellers. The Dacia Sandero has indeed remained the best-seller on this private market since the start of the year, ahead of the Peugeot 208 and Renault Clio.
Then we find SUVs, with 42% of sales to individuals from January to September, down slightly year-on-year. Behind the 100% sedan podium, there are the first representatives of the category, with the Dacia Duster, Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur.
Sales of station wagons (3.4%) and minivans (0.9%) appear to be quite limited, with few new models offered by manufacturers.
Gasoline increasingly converted to hybrid
Another strong trend: the evolution of engines chosen by individuals. The hybrid is becoming widespread in all these forms in order to reduce CO2 emissions: the micro-hybrid has thus jumped by 46% in one year, with a market share of 12.5% among individuals, and 19.1 % for the “classic” non-rechargeable hybrid.
Gasoline engines still dominate with almost one in three sales (30.9%), but with a strong downward trend with -19% compared to last year due to this increasing range of engines. electrified. This is the case for example of the next Dacia Bisgter, with at least micro-hybridization on all the engines offered, even gasoline-LPG dual fuel.
The plug-in hybrid is less popular with prices that are often quite high and more attractive tax incentives for businesses. Among individuals, its market share thus fell to 3.3% while it was 7.8% in the overall market over the same period from January to September.
Electricity accounts for almost one in four sales
On two other engines, we find stronger trends on this private market. Diesel thus falls to 3.9% market share among this public, compared to 7.6% on the overall market with still demand among businesses and rental companies.
It’s the opposite for 100% electric, with individuals more attracted than one might think and a market share of 24.3%. This is much higher than what electric represents in the entire new market, at 17.2% of new car sales since the start of the year.
The Minister delegated to Energy, Olga Givernet, supported this Thursday the establishment of sanctions against companies which do not green their automobile fleet enough.
