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In the ever-evolving automotive landscape, France's new-car market is experiencing a significant transformation. The latest figures reveal a contraction in overall sales, with petrol vehicles bearing the brunt of the decline, while hybrid and electric vehicles continue to gain traction.
Registrations of petrol cars in France have dropped sharply by about 21.2% by June 2025, marking the steepest decline among major European markets. This reduction reflects a broader contraction in France’s overall car market, which fell 8.2% year-to-date, contributing to France dropping to fourth place in European new-car sales.
Conversely, hybrid vehicles (HEVs and MHEVs) are demonstrating resilience, with French manufacturers Stellantis and Renault dominating the market. Models like the Toyota Yaris Cross, which traditionally offer hybrid powertrains, have moved up in market position, indicating steady popularity.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have steadily increased their market share but still face competitive challenges. In March, BEV registrations fell for the eighth month in succession, with a 14.7% decrease. However, the Renault Symbioz, an electric model, experienced explosive growth, signaling strong consumer interest in innovative or new EV offerings.
Diesel registrations have also slumped, with a 52.1% decrease in March 2025, accounting for just 4.2% of total registrations. Only HEVs and mild hybrids (MHEVs) posted improvements last month in the French new-car market.
The trend towards electrification and hybridization continues strongly in the medium term, with economic factors and market uncertainties contributing to cautious consumer demand. Local brand loyalty remains high, favoring Renault and Stellantis models across all powertrain types, with models like the Renault Clio (popular petrol and hybrid variants) leading sales.
The CO2 emission threshold for triggering a €50 malus tax tightened to 113g/km in France from the start of last month, which may further incentivize the shift towards electrified vehicles.
In summary, France’s new-car market is contracting overall, with petrol car sales declining sharply, hybrid vehicles remaining steady or growing moderately, and electric vehicles gradually building market share but still facing competition. This outlook suggests the automotive market in France will increasingly shift toward electrified vehicles, although petrol cars will continue to decline sharply, hybrids will act as important transition options, and electric vehicles will capture growing but still partial market penetration by 2025.
- The contraction in France's overall car market has led to a 21.2% drop in petrol car registrations, marking a steep decline among major European markets.
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have been gradually increasing their market share, but despite a 14.7% decrease in registrations in March, innovative models like the Renault Symbioz indicate strong consumer interest.
- Diesel registrations have slumped significantly, accounting for only 4.2% of total registrations in March, compared to the steady growth shown by hybrid vehicles (HEVs and MHEVs).
- In the French new-car market, economic factors and market uncertainties contribute to cautious consumer demand, despite local brand loyalty favoring companies like Renault and Stellantis across different powertrain types.
- The tightened CO2 emission threshold for triggering a €50 malus tax may further incentivize the shift towards electrified vehicles, including electric cars and hybrids, in France.
