Car Sales Slip in France in October

PARIS – Attention was paid to new cars in France at the Paris auto show in October, but not dealer showrooms.

Passenger-vehicle sales slipped 3.8% during the month, to 160,162 units. The industry remains up 1.4% for the year through the first 10 months, according to the French automakers’ association, the CCFA.

The auto show attracted 1.25 million visitors during its Oct. 4-19 run, setting a record for attendance. As in 2010 and 2012, registrations during the month of the auto show were no better than the year before. However, according to a press release from the show organizers, sales contacts and orders “were equal to or better than those of 2012.”

October’s sales slump touched the French automakers as well as importers, but both PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault continued to gain share, with sales falling just 2.2% and 0.4%, respectively. For the month, the two automakers had 55.6% of the market, up from 54.4% a year earlier. Dacia, Renault’s entry-level brand, was the only French brand to gain, up 6.8% in the month.

Volkswagen, Ford and Toyota, the three leading importers, all lost share during the month. VW was down 4.8%, while Ford fell 6.8% and Toyota declined 15.3%. Nissan increased sales 16.6%, and Fiat Chrysler deliveries rose 2.2%. Opel also improved, by 12.7%, but because General Motors has shut down its Chevrolet distribution here, GM’s total slid 21.5% compared with October 2013.

Through 10 months, the market has reached 1,487,477 units, up 21,000 from a year earlier. Renault and Dacia are up 31,000 units, and PSA has gained more than 16,000. The non-French brands as a group are down 3.9%.