A phenomenon which is not so widespread at dealers

Thank you the premium case-sensitive! With a market share of cumulative 54 of sales, without even counting the range group Logan Renault, three French brands have largely regained last year their domestic market. Overall, and a very strong second half, the French automobile market of passenger cars culminated in 2009 to 2.27 million shipments, up 10.7 over a year. It is the highest level in volume since... 1990. It won't be easy to continue the new year at the same pace, even if the Government has extended, by the slightly lowering the device of the differential case.

The short term, manufacturers have to see what come: Renault still said the head of a book of orders filled for the next three months, Peugeot evaluates his own more than two months. After that, it is a little unknown. "The French market should suffer the aftermath of the acceleration of the end of 2009, said Christophe Bergerand, Director commercial France of Peugeot. At the time, it could end up to almost 2 million units in cars, or a decrease of 10 over one year. But in the utilities, the activity should recover to 400,000 units (up from 374.000 last year).

"Bonus hunters".

So far, the market is increasingly unbalanced by "bonus hunters", to the point that small cars or economic models represented 57 of total sales, against 45 two years earlier. At the same time, all the other segments are declining, the image of the car "averages below" (Renault Mégane, VW Golf, etc.) that collectively 1.4 decrease. In a world where builders are fighting fervently to tenths of a point of market share, French rather well behaved. The Group Renault WINS by 0.5 point for the Romanian Dacia range and a point of penetration, with a respective contribution of 0.4 of a point for the eponymous. In December only, this label of entry-level yesterday stationed in emerging countries has trusté about 4 of total sales in France, or more than half of deliveries of the Volkswagen brand!

Citroën has not done either, with an annual increase equivalent to that of Renault ( 0.9 point of penetration), before even the rise in the regime of the new C3, expected next year. At Peugeot, progress is not measured in terms of market share (-0.2 point on the year): brand believes have voluntarily limited sales to some rental companies at the beginning of the year, and was especially satisfied with its launches, as the 206 model input range, or the new crossover 3008, which totaled 29,000 orders since May. With this model, which is "low cost", "we have improved our net sales by vehicle in the second half and stabilized in the whole of the year", says Christophe Bergerand. A phenomenon which is not so widespread at dealers.

Among major general practitioners, if Ford is progressing with the French, some lose a little ground. Toyota conceded half a percentage point of penetration, falling even on small models supposedly easy to sell as the Aygo, Peugeot 107 cousin. The Volkswagen Group progresses overall by 5, but recoils from 0.6 in market share. If they want to regain the initiative, each and the other will have to dip into the Pocket financially: Renault is abundant of 300 euros the amount of the new premium case for keep at 1,000 euros, and double Peugeot now the premium on some models. Competitors line up if they want to stay in the race.