The Catalan automobile market continues its journey in the red and risks remaining there until the political and economic uncertainties in France are resolved. Result: between January and August, the Pyrénées-Orientales recorded an 8.8% drop in vehicle sales compared to the same period in 2023.
Let it be said, it doesn’t get any better. No, the situation of the automobile market in the Pyrénées-Orientales has not improved since the start of 2024. Already, in May, The Independent reported on the situation in the department. Between January and March 2024, the local auto market experienced a difficult quarter. Over this period, barely 3,000 new passenger vehicles were sold in total in the P.-O., volumes down around 10% compared to the same period in 2023. Figures in contrast with the national market which, over this same period of time, saw its sales increase by 5.71%.
Six months later, it’s less bad but it’s not there yet. Now, between January and August, sales of new passenger vehicles are down 8.8% compared to the same period in 2023. And this once again while the trend is timidly declining (- 0.5%) at the level national and drop of 2.5% in Occitanie as indicated by Mobilians, the automobile trade union chamber.
As a reminder, in 2023, the auto market in the department was in good shape: +13.4% of new vehicles were sold in the P.-O. compared to 2022. 2024 is therefore not a good year for the automobile industry.
Reduction in the bonus, sharp increase in the penalty, introduction of the environmental score on electric vehicles…
“In the Pyrénées-Orientales, the summer was not exceptional for the auto market. We are on more marked downward trends than at the national level or that of Occitanie. We are recording a even more marked drop in the month of August which dropped to – 30.9% in the OPs”indicates Michel Anduze, territorial manager at Mobilians Occitanie.
Infographics L’Indépendant – Infographics L’Indépendant
Several elements can explain this complicated context. Starting with the political uncertainty which reigned for several weeks in France. A situation that caused “a posture of wait-and-see” among individuals adds Michel Anduze, without forgetting to mention the budget cuts that occurred at the start of the year: “Reduction in the ecological bonus, sharp increase in the penalty, introduction of the environmental score on electric vehicles… All these measures contribute to the deterioration of the French automobile market.”
The hybrid on the rise
Over the first eight months of 2024, gasoline continues to decline (-26.8%) but nevertheless remains in the majority (34.7% market share). As in the first quarter, the non-rechargeable hybrid is once again doing well and gaining ground (+ 25.2%) and is getting closer to the leading position, with 30.7% market share. The electric vehicle market, which had experienced spectacular growth in recent years, is growing (+6.9%) but is showing signs of slowing down (16.2% market share). “This market seems to reach a plateau and stagnate” at 16.2% market share”underlines the territorial manager of Mobilians.
The sale of diesel vehicles continues to plummet (-18.8%) and that of plug-in hybrid cars is also at half mast (-26.5%). These categories both represent 7.3% market share in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
SUVs dominate the market
Unsurprisingly, SUVs dominate the P.O. market. with 49.1% market share, but progressing little (+ 0.5%). Hatchback vehicles – hatchback cars – follow with 42.9% market share but lose – 17.3% compared to the year 2023 over the same period. Next come sedans (-5.5%), station wagons (-8.5%) and crossovers (-27.8%), representing a market share of less than 2%.
And of course, some brands work better than others. In terms of models, the Peugeot 208 remains the favorite of the French, with a market share of 5.4% in France, followed by the Renault Clio at 5.1% and the Dacia Sandero at 4.6%.
“We are waiting for clear directives from the government”
This downward trend is much more marked in the Pyrénées-Orientales than in the rest of Occitanie (-2.5%) and France (-0.5%). in the P.-O. is verified in Perpignan. Like many of his colleagues, Jean-Michel Falcone, director of the Nissan brand and co-director of the Maurin group, has seen his sales decline. Typically, the Nissan dealership sells around 350 vehicles per year. This year, he plans to sell “40 or 50 less”. A drop of around 15 to 20%.
“Even though we make interesting offers, there are still fewer purchases. It should also be noted that in the space of 24 months, credit rates have increased significantly. Until there is not that long ago, we were on rates between 4 and 6%. This element also weighed in the balance. Now, builders are starting to offer zero-interest loans again to revitalize the market. one of the weakest in the country. Our territory is particularly poor. This is why we are more affected by economic crises. explains the professional, disappointed at moving forward blindly. “We are in uncertainty, we don’t know. Today, we don’t know what to advise the customer: an electric one, a thermal one, a hybrid one. Even we professionals in the sector are a little disillusioned. We are waiting for clear directives from the government!”
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