The slowdown in France’s new passenger car market accelerated again in February, and for the first time in this downturn, Renault Group posted a steep decline after holding up relatively well in recent months. At least for now, Stellantis is weathering the storm better.
After a difficult start to the year, 2026 is shaping up to be a tough one for France’s new car market. January registrations were already down 6.6% versus the same month a year earlier. In February, France recorded 141,570 new passenger vehicle registrations, a drop of 14.7%. Over the first two months of the year, the market is down 11.1% cumulatively. The current pace is even weaker than early 2023, which was already considered the poorest start of the previous three years.
Renault’s Cushion Gives Way In February
Following a modest rebound in 2024, the French market has turned downward again. Until recently, Renault had managed to put up comparatively solid results and outpace Stellantis. February 2026 suggests that dynamic may be shifting.
Renault Group’s registrations fell 23.5% year over year in February. The Renault brand itself declined 16.5%. Dacia dropped 36.3%. Even Alpine, which had benefited from the launch of the electric Alpine A290, posted a 37.2% decrease.
Model cycle timing appears to be a factor in the short term. The updated Dacia Sandero, which recently received technical upgrades similar to the Jogger, is likely slowing sales while customers and dealers transition to incoming inventory. A new Renault Clio can also create a temporary statistical dip during the changeover period, even if demand remains healthy once deliveries ramp.
Stellantis Holds Up Better, Despite Brand Weaknesses
Stellantis posted what could be described as a relatively controlled decline, down 7.3% in February. The group was helped by sharp gains at Fiat, up 60%, and Opel, up 51.1%. Not all brands were spared. Peugeot fell 20%, and DS Automobiles declined 22%, showing that Stellantis’ strength is uneven and concentrated in specific nameplates and price points.
Diesel Continues To Fade, Hybrids Dominate The Mix
France’s powertrain mix continues to shift rapidly. Diesel is still sliding and now represents just 2.5% of new passenger vehicle registrations after the first two months of 2026.
Hybrids, including mild hybrids, full hybrids, and plug-in hybrids, account for 52.4% of the market. Most of that volume is coming from mild and full hybrids, while plug-in hybrids have dropped below a 5% share.
Battery electric vehicles represent 27.5% of the market year to date, with 27% in February. Even with a slight February pullback, that remains a record level.
A key driver, according to the source, is the delivery wave tied to France’s EV support programs. France has been running a subsidized EV leasing scheme aimed at making electric cars more accessible, and it has continued the broader purchase support structure through 2026 under the Energy Savings Certificates system.
The Sales Leaders So Far In 2026
The best-selling vehicle in France in 2026 so far is the Peugeot 208, with 11,265 registrations after two months, compared with 8,281 for the Renault Clio. Third place goes to the Peugeot 2008 with 8,172 registrations.
Citroën’s C3 sits in fourth place, with the note that the electric ë-C3 is not counted in the same category in this particular dataset. The Dacia Sandero follows, likely impacted by the transition to the refreshed version.
If the Clio’s decline is largely a model changeover effect, it could rebound in the coming weeks as deliveries normalize. In the EV segment, the Renault 5 E Tech is the standout, sitting sixth overall and closing in on the Sandero, underscoring how quickly electric models can climb the charts when incentives and deliveries align.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.