Hybrid cars continue their breakthrough. The summer period is much less prosperous than last year for manufacturers.
August is once again a lull in car sales. New car registrations fell sharply last month: 85,977 new passenger cars were registered, a decrease of 24.3% compared to August 2023, which had one more working day, reported the Automotive Platform (PFA) and AAA Data.
A summer slump when traditionally fewer deals are sealed, August had been dynamic in 2023 (113,599 units sold), benefiting from a decrease in delivery difficulties after months of shortages of electronic parts. The level of sales still remained lower than before the Covid-19 pandemic: some 129,300 vehicles had been sold in August 2019.
Both individuals and businesses have reduced their purchases of new cars this year.
“The uncertain political context is impacting the economic sphere, with households already facing prices and interest rates remaining high, and companies adopting a wait-and-see stance regarding their investments,” underlines Marie-Laure Nivot, analyst at AAA Data.
In August 2024, the drop in sales was particularly marked for the leader Stellantis (Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat), with 31.7% fewer registrations, and its competitor Renault (-22.5%). Conversely, Volkswagen grew by 6%.
Electrics down, hybrids big winners
More broadly, over the first eight months of 2024, more than 1.1 million new cars were registered in France, which represents a decline of 0.48% compared to the same period in 2023.
“After several months of growth, sales of hybrid cars in France are stabilizing,” observes AAA Data. They represent 43% of the market.
Sales of electric cars fell by 33%, “with a market share falling to 15% from 18% in August 2023,” the firm notes.
As for thermal engines, they are declining “significantly”, according to the same source: “-37% for petrol (32% of the market), and -43% for diesel (7% of the market)”. The Peugeot 208 remains the best-selling model to individuals in the first half of the year, ahead of the Renault Clio and the Dacia Sandero.
