The French market hits another historic low in February

With 120,769 registrations, the French market (passenger cars) reached its lowest level in 15 years for the month of February for the second consecutive month, except for 2022 (a year marked by a semiconductor shortage). This is -15% compared to February 2025, representing a 30% decline from pre-crisis levels (2019).

The market has thus declined by -11% since the beginning of the year, which is -30% compared to pre-crisis levels (2019).

The market for new light commercial vehicles (under 5.1 tons), with 28,869 registrations, is up +2% year-on-year. Compared to pre-crisis levels (2019), this represents a decline of 24%.

As for the industrial vehicle (V) market, with 3,206 registrations, it shows a decline of -8% year-on-year.

Orders (VP), after a 6% decline in the first month of the year, saw this decline accelerate to –14% in February, or –10% over two months. Orders for light commercial vehicles (LCV), after reaching a historic low in 2025, recovered in January (+7%) and continued to do so in February (+14.5%).

The market share of 100% electric vehicles reached 27% in February

In a generally shrinking market, 100% electric vehicles (EVs) had a market share of 27% in February, after 28% in January.

This level is the result of a now very wide range of models, the obligation to green fleets, and finally a social leasing effect. While the first two drivers will continue to shape the market in the coming months, the positive impact of social leasing, on the other hand, will fade.

Hybrid vehicles (HEV + MHEV + PHEV) dominate, once again accounting for more than half of the French market (52%).

European market (EU 27) down 4% in January 2026

New car registrations in the EU fell by 4% in January year-on-year.

The market share of 100% electric cars reached 19%.

European consumers continue to favor hybrid engines (HEV + PHEV), which accounted for nearly half of the European market in January (48%).

Registrations of plug-in hybrid cars continue to show strong growth, accounting for 10% of the European market in the first month of 2026. This was driven by very significant volume increases in key markets such as Italy (+134.2%), Spain (+66.7%), and Germany (+23%).

­Production in France reaches 1.46 million units in 2025

Production in France, at 1.46 million units, is up +8% compared to 2025. This growth is driven by the allocation of new models to France by manufacturers. More than ever, strengthening the competitiveness of France as a manufacturing location must remain a priority.

                                                                 2024        2025        Var 2025/2024

Vehicle production in France     1,358       1,464           8%

Passenger cars                                    910       1,062          17%

Light commercial vehicles             447           402           -10%

Electric vehicle production in France accounts for one in five vehicles, with a 23% share for passenger cars and 12% for light commercial vehicles, in line with their respective market shares in Europe (EU 27) in 2025 (17% for passenger cars and 11% for light commercial vehicles).

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