Stop making fun of driverless cars!

Gone are the slow and noisy cubes on wheels that served as a stopgap solution in case of driving license withdrawal. The car without a license is becoming stylish.

According to the latest barometer from AAA DATA, an expert in augmented data, the car without a license (VSP), also known as a microcar, is experiencing a true popularity surge. Boosted by the health crisis, the market for new VSPs has doubled between 2019 and 2023, rising from 13,376 registrations to 26,238. The used market, however, is still relatively narrow, with 1 new VSP for every 1.5 used VSPs.

As a mandatory technical inspection of these vehicles is set to be implemented starting April 15, the upward trend should continue this year. Registrations of new VSPs have already increased by 18% between January and February 2024 (4,255 units), and those of used VSPs by 7% (6,390 units), representing an overall increase of 11% in the VSP market.

New registrations increased by 20% in March 2024

A secure alternative to scooters, these vehicles can be driven from the age of 14, and they find their place in the new urban mobility landscape. This is especially true as they move towards electrification: one out of every two new models sold in 2023 was electric, whereas in 2019, 95% of new models sold were still diesel-powered.

While they increasingly attract young drivers, these cars are also appealing to companies. In 2023, 18% of new VSPs joined corporate fleets, which is a six-point increase from 2019. While it was hard to imagine a salesperson with a suspended license making their rounds in a microcar a decade ago, the new models are as seamless as sending a letter or signing a contract.

This success undoubtedly stirs the ambitions of car manufacturers. Following the Renault Twizy in 2012, Citroën entered this market in 2020 with its AMI, followed by its Stellantis siblings, Opel Rocks e in 2023, and Fiat Topolino at the beginning of this year.