New car sales in France down 6.55% in January

Sunday 01 February 2026 - 14:20

By: Sahili Aya

New car sales in France down 6.55% in January

France’s car market got off to a difficult start in 2026, with new passenger car registrations declining sharply in January, according to data released by the French automotive industry body, the Plateforme automobile (PFA).

A total of 107,157 new passenger cars were registered last month, representing a year-on-year decrease of 6.55%. This marks the lowest January level in fifteen years, excluding the exceptional disruption caused by the global semiconductor shortage in 2022. Compared with January 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, registrations were nearly 48,000 units lower.

Despite the overall downturn, electric vehicles accounted for 28% of total sales in January, a record share over the past two years. Industry representatives caution, however, that this segment remains heavily supported by public incentives. Analysts point to the strong impact of government-backed schemes such as social leasing, which have boosted private purchases at the start of the year but may fade in the coming months.

Corporate fleet electrification has also contributed to the rise in electric vehicle registrations. According to market data, the Renault 5 led electric car sales in January, ahead of the Renault Scenic and the Peugeot 208.

Among manufacturers, Stellantis recorded a 2.7% decline in overall sales in France, with contrasting performances across its brands. Citroën posted modest growth, while Peugeot experienced a notable drop. The Renault Group slightly outperformed the market overall, driven by strong gains for the Renault brand, despite a sharp decline in Dacia sales. Toyota, the third-largest player in France, saw sales fall significantly.

Industry observers warn that the French car market continues to shrink structurally, amid uncertain consumer demand and ongoing debate over the pace and cost of the transition to electric mobility.