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Eleven consecutive months of decline for the French automobile market. The causes remain the same: a shortage of semiconductors and raw materials combined with economic uncertainties. Despite the good performance of electrified vehicles, thermals remain a safe bet.
Unsurprisingly, the French automotive market recorded its eleventh consecutive month of decline in April 2022, according to data published by NGC-Data. Indeed, in April 2022 (20 working days), 108,733 new private vehicles were registered. Compared to April 2021 (21 working days), this represents a drop of 22.6% and even 42.22% compared to April 2019, the reference year, because before the health crisis.
The causes of this berezina are always the same: shortage of semiconductors, decline in purchasing power, rising fuel prices, war in Ukraine and uncertainties about the future…
As a result, over the first four months of 2022 (84 working days), only 474,115 new vehicles have passed. This corresponds to a decrease of 18.57% compared to 2021 (the same number of working days) and -36.07% compared to 2019, over the same period.
Hybrid and 100% electric engines continue to progress (+18.7 and +32.7%) to the detriment of petrol and diesel: -3.5% and -38.1%. Nevertheless, it is thermal vehicles that mainly occupy the top 20.
The Peugeot 208, still at the top of sales
All engines combined, it is the Peugeot 208 (5,866 units) which once again tops the list of best-selling cars, ahead of the Citroën C3 (4,380 units) and the Peugeot 308 (4,186 units).
Moreover, the Stellantis group (ex-PSA, Opel and Fiat Chrysler) places eight cars (four Peugeots, two Citroëns, one Fiat and one Opel) in the top 20. The Renault-Dacia group follows with seven cars, including the Dacia Sandero which occupies 4th place (3899 units), just ahead of the Renault Captur (3423 units).
Note that in the top 10, there are two foreign brands, with the Ford Puma (2138 units) and the Fiat 500 (2750 units).
The first electric car is the Dacia Spring (1568 units) which occupies 15th place.