Sales of new cars in France fell significantly in 2024 compared to the previous year with 1,718,416 registrations, a drop of 3.2%, due in particular to the uncertainty linked to the political context.
Sales of new electric vehicles also decreased (-2.2%) and their market share remained stable at 16.9%, after three years of explosion, while the share of sales of new hybrid vehicles increased significantly. progressed to reach 42.8%, according to figures published Wednesday by the Automobile Platform (PFA).
The market has not returned to the very low levels of 2022, a year paralyzed by electronic chip shortages, but it remains far from its pre-Covid pandemic levels. Around 2.2 million new vehicles were sold in 2019, the last year before the coronavirus crisis.
Electric cars in decline
The year 2024 had, however, started well for the French automobile industry since sales of new vehicles had shown an increase of 4.9% at the end of May, before collapsing during the second half of the year. “These are quite heavy, involving purchases, and the context of political uncertainty has not helped,” observed Marc Mortureux, general director of the PFA, which represents manufacturers and large equipment suppliers in the automotive sector.
Regarding engines, around 5,400 fewer electric vehicles were sold in 2024 compared to 2023, after several years of strong growth in this type of automobile and despite the launch of electric social leasing.
“It’s a huge problem […] because to meet the 2025 objectives, we will have to sell many more electric vehicles,” explained Marc Mortureux. According to him, if manufacturers want to adapt to European standards on CO2 emissions, the share of sales of electric vehicles will have to reach 22% in 2025, compared to barely 17% today. “The jump is very important,” he noted.
Stellantis in the tough, Toyota progresses
Buyers could be slowed down by the reduction in purchase bonuses (from 4,000 to 2,000 euros for households with a reference tax income greater than 26,200 euros per unit), decided by the Barnier government in a context of budgetary rigor. However, certain new models are selling well, like the electric R5, rejoices Marc Mortureux.
On the manufacturer side, Stellantis continues to lose market share, Renault is holding its own and Toyota is progressing, even including two models in the ten best-selling vehicles in France in 2024.
