Mathilde Carlier
Research Expert covering transportation and logistics
Thanks to household names like Peugeot, Renault or Citroën, the automotive industry is an important factor in the French economy. As one of the biggest consumer markets in Europe, France’s wholesale and retail industry generated 1.32 trillion euros in turnoverin 2017 and a production value of 387 billion euros. All in all, the country counts more than 600,000 enterprises operating in the trade and repair of vehicles and motorcycles.
In 2017, more than 1.4 million passenger cars were produced in France by French manufacturers. This makes France one of the most important motor vehicle manufacturing countries in Europe. Out of the 2.1 million cars sold in 2018, 1.12 million were petrol cars and the number of newly registered cars operated with diesel engines has been decreasing in recent years. That same year 183.7 million new motorcycles and 6,228 new buses and coaches were registered.
The number of households owning no cars has been increasing over the last years. In 2018, more than 7,000 French households were without a car and 4,000 households owned at least three cars. Most French households owned only one car, though.
The three homegrown big players Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën rank supreme in terms of car ownership, leaving the runners-up Volkswagen and Ford far behind. 13.5 million French people are driving a Renault as of 2018, making it the most beloved car brand in France. With 2,2 million passenger cars produced, the company, steeped in tradition and established as early as 1899, is also France’s biggest car manufacturer. Still, sales of Clios, Méganes and Twingos fluctuated over the last decade. Selling over half a million cars in 2009, this number dropped to 337,600 in 2013. For the last years, sales have been stalling at just above 400,000.
In 2017, more than 1.4 million passenger cars were produced in France by French manufacturers. This makes France one of the most important motor vehicle manufacturing countries in Europe. Out of the 2.1 million cars sold in 2018, 1.12 million were petrol cars and the number of newly registered cars operated with diesel engines has been decreasing in recent years. That same year 183.7 million new motorcycles and 6,228 new buses and coaches were registered.
The number of households owning no cars has been increasing over the last years. In 2018, more than 7,000 French households were without a car and 4,000 households owned at least three cars. Most French households owned only one car, though.
The three homegrown big players Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën rank supreme in terms of car ownership, leaving the runners-up Volkswagen and Ford far behind. 13.5 million French people are driving a Renault as of 2018, making it the most beloved car brand in France. With 2,2 million passenger cars produced, the company, steeped in tradition and established as early as 1899, is also France’s biggest car manufacturer. Still, sales of Clios, Méganes and Twingos fluctuated over the last decade. Selling over half a million cars in 2009, this number dropped to 337,600 in 2013. For the last years, sales have been stalling at just above 400,000.
