The year 2024 confirmed the slowdown of the automobile market in France. Between the tense economic context and regulatory pressures, sales of new cars continue to decline. However, an engine stands out and changes the situation for manufacturers. Here are the figures published on December 30, 2024 by L’Argus in collaboration with NGC-Data.
-5% of new car sales in France in 2024
In 2024, registrations of new cars in mainland France fell by 5% compared to 2023, for a total of 1,689,789 units.. As pointed out L’Argusthis is the fifth consecutive year where sales have remained below the two million unit mark. For comparison, before the health crisis, either in 2019, sales were 24% higher than in 2024. The drop in public purchasing aid for electric cars and inflation are the main causes of this observed decrease.
The month of December 2024, for its part, recorded a 14% drop in sales compared to the previous month, due in particular to the European sanctions (CO2 standards) planned for the year 2025 on automobile manufacturers, with a view tocontinued ban on the sale of new thermal cars by 2035.
The hybrid, on the other hand, is experiencing growing interest, this engine now representing 34.3% of the French market share, thus surpassing, for the first time, gasoline.
Renault, Peugeot and Toyota at the top of sales
Despite headwinds, the French flagship Renault maintains its title as leader of the French market with 273,603 new registrations in 2024, thus representing alone 16.2% market shareslightly down compared to 2023 (-2%). The Clio remains the best-selling car in 2024, confirming its popularity with French motorists.
Peugeot follows closely with 227,754 unitsalthough its sales fell by 6%. The lion brand remains essential thanks to its emblematic models such as the 208, which recorded a slight increase (+1%).
Toyotathe world's leading automobile manufacturer, comes in third position on the podium and stands out as the big winner of the year 2024, having seen its sales increase by 17% for a total of 126,323 new registrations. A success mainly due to its hybrid models, such as the Yaris and the Yaris Cross, manufactured in France.
A particularly bad year for Stellantis and Tesla
The year 2024 was particularly difficult for Stellantis, as confirmed by figures from NGC Data and Argus. Citroën, despite its 109,006 registrations, saw its sales fall by 13%. Other brands of the group, such asOpel and Fiatalso suffered with respective decreases of 9% and 19% of their new car sales. Conversely, certain brands like Jeep (+54 %) et Alfa Romeo (+7 %) showed positive results.
The year was just as dark for the American electric giant and leader, Tesla, which saw its sales fall by 36% during 2024.. A poor performance which is partly explained by increased competition in the electric segment, the reduction in public aid for the purchase of a new electric vehicle, and the manufacturer's logistics (delivery) problems.
BMW and Skodafor their part, managed to do well, the two manufacturers having respectively seen their sales increase by 11% and 15%.
Summary table of automobile sales in France in 2024
| Ranking | Builder | Units Sold | Market share | Main Motorization | Segment | Evolution (%) | Lighthouse Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renault | 273 603 | 16,2 % | Hybrid | Compact | -2 % | Clio is captured |
| 2 | Peugeot | 227 754 | 13,5 % | Essence | Polyvalent | -6 % | 208, 2008 |
| 3 | Dacia | 143 072 | 8,5 % | Essence | Entry level | -9 % | Sandero, Duster |
| 4 | Toyota | 126 323 | 7,5 % | Hybrid | Compact | +17 % | Yaris, Yaris Cross |
| 5 | Volkswagen | 116 729 | 6,9 % | Essence | Compact | -3 % | Golf, Tiguan |
| 6 | Citroën | 109 006 | 6,5 % | Essence | Polyvalent | -13 % | C3, C5 Aircross |
| 7 | BMW | 65 964 | 3,9 % | Essence | Premium | +11 % | X1, X2 |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz | 50 810 | 3 % | Essence | Premium | -2 % | Class A, GLA |
| 9 | Audi | 47 553 | 2,8 % | Essence | Premium | -4 % | A3, Q3 |
| 10 | Hyundai | 44 605 | 2,6 % | Essence | Polyvalent | -10 % | Tucson, Kona |
| 11 | Tesla | 40 510 | 2,4 % | Electric | Premium | -36 % | Model Y |
| – | Total (all brands) | 1 689 789 | 100 % | Hybrid | Multisegments | -5 % | – |
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