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Twelve consecutive months of decline for the French automobile market. The causes remain the same: shortage of semiconductors, rising energy prices, inflation and low French morale. Thermals are still popular, but for how long?
Voted car of the year in 2020, the Peugeot 208 still remains at the top of the best-selling vehicles in France. © COTY
Unsurprisingly, the French automotive market recorded its twelfth consecutive month of decline in May 2022, according to data published by NGC-Data. Indeed, in May 2022 (21 working days), 126,819 new private vehicles were registered. Compared to May 2021 (141,053 units sold – 19 business days), this represents a decrease of 10.1%.
The Peugeot 208, still at the top of sales
All engines combined, it is the Peugeot 208 (7253 copies) which once again tops the list of best-selling cars, ahead of the Renault Clio (6112 copies) and the Dacia Sandero (4616 copies).
The Top 20 new vehicles sold in May 2022. © NGC-Data
Once again, the Stellantis group (ex-PSA, Opel and Fiat Chrysler) places eight cars (four Peugeots, two Citroëns, a Fiat and an Opel) in the top 20. The Renault-Dacia group follows with eight cars (six Renault and two Dacia).
If last month, two foreign brands appeared in the Top 10, this month, only the Fiat 500 (3166 copies) is present. The 15th, 16th and 17th place are respectively occupied by the Toyota Yaris Cross (2143 copies), the Hyundai Tucson (2041 copies) and the Ford Puma (2013 copies).
The first electric car is the Renault Zoe (1448 units), which is in 22nd place. It does less well than the Dacia Spring, which in April 2022 occupied 15th place, and is relegated to 24th place (1357 copies).