New car sales collapse

In August, new car registrations are in the red for the fourth consecutive month in France.

AAA DATA, an expert in augmented data, has released its monthly report on the activity of the French automotive market, and the numbers are again poor, particularly regarding new car sales. Traditionally, and quite logically, summer is not conducive to large purchases such as a new car. However, with a 22% drop compared to the same period in 2023, the sole argument of a summer slowdown does not hold.

AAA DATA recorded 85,977 new vehicle registrations in the past month, which is significantly lower than the 113,599 units recorded in August 2023, representing a 24% increase compared to August 2022. So was August 2023 exceptional or has a good dynamic been broken? It is a bit early to say.

Hybrids on the Rise

After several months of growth, hybrid car sales in France are stabilizing. This type of engine accounts for 43% of the new car market, reflecting an 11% increase compared to August 2023. Mild hybrids, the most reassuring form of electrification, jumped by 21%, and non-rechargeable hybrids rose by 7%. These two technologies represent 15% and 20% of the market, respectively. Plug-in hybrids still fail to convince and have seen a dramatic decline of 35%. This is surprising because this type of vehicle allows for 100% electric use most of the time, leading to significant daily savings. Ideal for urban dwellers concerned about zero emissions during the week while avoiding the hassle of long charging times when hitting the road on weekends. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of education…

TOP 3 Electrified Car Models, August 2024

The energy transition continues and is even accelerating, with a significant decline in thermal engines of -37% for gasoline and -43% for diesel.

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