It is time to take stock of the year 2022 of the French automotive market. A bad year, which we can even call aannus horribilis. The slight increase seen in 2021 was not confirmed in 2022 and the automotive market broke sad records, with a 7.8% drop in new car registrations compared to 2021. And this despite the four consecutive months of increase recorded in the second half of 2022.
In concrete terms, 1,529,035 new passenger cars of all engines were registered, compared to 1,659,003 in 2021 and 1,650,000 in 2020 (-6.7%). We are still very far from the 2,214,000 registered in 2019, the last “normal” year before the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out 670,000 registrations, the equivalent of three months of activity.
While petrol is still the preferred motorization of the French (37.2% over the past year as a whole), electrified motorizations (non-rechargeable hybrids or full hybrid in English, and 100% electric) are doing well. Micro-hybrids (or mild hybrid).
On the other hand, this is not at all the case with rechargeable hybrids (or PHEV), shunned by the general public. Between January and December 2022, 126,551 plug-in hybrid vehicles were registered, which represents a decrease of 10% compared to 2021 and a market share of 8.3%. The plug-in hybrid market should unfortunately not improve with the outright removal in 2023 of the €1,000 bonus.
Peugeot and Citroën, sole masters on board
Throughout the year, the battle was fierce for the number one spot in the PHEV sector, where Peugeot has long fought a duel with Mercedes.
Finally, it is the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid which climbs to the top step of the 2022 podium with 10,729 units, ahead of the new Peugeot 308 (2nd; 6655 VP) and Citroën C5 Aircross (3rd; 6636 VP). The chevron brand caps the Mercedes GLC on the post (4th; 5555 copies).
The ranking of the top 10 is quite eclectic since, in addition to Mercedes, the Hyundai Tucson (5th; 4,775 VP), the Kia Sportage (7th; 3,947 VP), the BMW X3 (9th; 3,769 VP), and the Mini Countryman (10th ; 3330 VP). Note the presence of a second Mercedes vehicle, the GLA SUV (8th; 3900 VP).
As for Lynk&Co, the surprise of the month of March, it finally ranks 12th with 3098 copies sold. Remember that the company’s economic model is monthly rental without commitment. However, it is not forbidden to buy the vehicle with cash.