unusual figures from the French market in 2023

The European and more French car market will do better in 2023, but it is still worse than before 2020. It is likely that manufacturers will not return to the previous levels of more than two million annual sales. So the cake is smaller, and the people at the table are always more and more ambitious. A direct result: the portion is reduced for some, and increased for others.

And obviously there is some damage. The biggest decline can be attributed to the Stellantis group, which stagnates in the market by +16%. Its rival Renault and its subsidiary Dacia fared better with the Clio in very good shape. But more than the French trio, what’s the surprise? A quick look back at the statistics of the surprising facts of this year 2023 that will be beneficial for certain brands focused on electricity.

In France, MG sells more… than DS

In fact, the comparison is questionable as the DS is trying to play in the premium sector while the MG is generic at a lower price. But it’s still indicative of the current situation: small producers who are struggling to get out, and others who are seeing their sales follow an exponential trend.. For the DS, this is mostly explained by the failure of the DS4 which sold better than the DS7. At MG, the situation is very different as MG4 had a successful year. And even if it loses the bonus in 2024, it should be among the best-selling electric cars. So he will once again carry the brand alone.

1. MG Sales (2023): 33,374 units (+163%)
2. DS Sales (2023): 23,374 copies (+ 11%)

More seats than a Cupra!

Cupra had expanded its catalog to include fuel-efficient engines such as the TSI 150 in the Formentor or Ateca. Choice of choice for cars that sell well. But Cupra is probably suffering from Born’s sales which are still a little timid: 3,224 (a big increase compared to 2022, right). Above all, the Cupra does not have the SUV B body, which remains a Seat special. The Arona, together with the Ibiza, therefore once again carries the Iberian brand that remained ahead of the Cupra in 2023.. We wouldn’t bet on the complicated situation of Kiti!

“I spend more than three quarters of the time in Cupra”: Are you at risk from 2025?

• Seat sales (2023): 17,879 units (+ 30%)
• Cupra Sales (2023): 14,946 units (+97%)

Volkswagen is working… soon ahead of Citroën?

Polo (26,118 sales, +43.4%), Tiguan (16,599 sales +37.6%), T-Roc (21,365 sales, +24.1%), Golf (15,112 sales, +24%) … aging models, but still is as popular as ever. These excellent results have enabled Volkswagen to continue significantly to reach 120,228 sales in 2023 in France (+ 23.6%). The growth has been such that Volkswagen is now approaching Citroën which, like Peugeot, had a difficult year: 125,937 sales, and above all – 3%. in a rapidly growing market. The new C3 could change the situation in 2023 but nothing is decided for chevrons who would lose their fourth place there, behind Dacia.

Peugeot star in red

2023 was therefore difficult for Stellantis, which remains in a good position in terms of the overall brand. But in detail, Citroën and Peugeot struggled. The lion suffered a lot as its three stars are the only models in the red list in the top position. 208 (sales 86,268, – 2.9%), 2008 (sales 49,345, – 4.1%) and 3008 (sales 30,745, – 15.3%) are in trouble. For 3008, let’s not forget that it is in the renewal phase. And then, let’s mention the 308 which today is the only C-section model to appear in the French Top 10 sales with 45,565 sales (+ 9.2%).