PARIS — New-car registrations fell by 12 p.c in France in December, although showrooms reopened originally of the month after being closed in November due to a surge in coronavirus infections.

There have been 186,323 registrations in December, trade group CCFA mentioned, on 22 promoting days. There have been 21 promoting days in December 2019.

Most manufacturers noticed gross sales fall sharply, however Toyota recorded a powerful month, with gross sales up 25 p.c. Others in constructive territory have been Hyundai, up 8.1 p.c; Jeep, up 7.8 p.c; Opel, up 5 p.c; and Peugeot, up 3.1 p.c. 

For the 12 months, French registrations fell by 25 p.c to 1,650,118. Showrooms have been closed in March, April and a part of Might to gradual the unfold of COVID-19. 

Gross sales rebounded beginning in June as the federal government offered billions in coronavirus support for the auto trade, together with for electrified autos. Patrons who commerce in older fashions with increased emissions can obtain as much as a number of thousand euros towards the acquisition of a brand new or used automobile that meets present emissions requirements.

The federal government has prolonged the incentives till July 1, 2021, in an effort to bolster the market after the “second wave” of coronavirus circumstances in autumn.

The market additionally began from a excessive level of comparability in December 2019, when automakers sought to promote higher-emissions autos forward of recent EU fleet CO2 targets. The market was up 28 percent in that month in contrast with December 2018.

Amongst French manufacturers, PSA Group gross sales have been down 4.4 p.c, with declines of 18 p.c at Citroen and 9.1 p.c at DS offsetting positive aspects at Opel and Peugeot. For the 12 months, PSA gross sales in France have been down 25 p.c.

Renault Group gross sales fell by 15 p.c, with Renault model down 9.6 p.c and Dacia down 32 p.c. For the 12 months, Renault gross sales fell 25 p.c.

Volkswagen Group gross sales fell by 11 p.c within the month, with VW model falling 11 p.c, Audi down 7 p.c, Skoda down 13 p.c and Seat down 22 p.c.

Ford gross sales fell 22 p.c and Fiat misplaced 18 p.c.

BMW Group gross sales have been down 15 p.c, with BMW model dropping 16 p.c and Mini 12 p.c. Mercedes gross sales fell 21 p.c, and Volvo misplaced 18 p.c.

Amongst Asian manufacturers, Kia misplaced 21 p.c, Nissan fell 18 p.c, Suzuki misplaced 43 p.c and Mitsubishi 9.4 p.c. 

With new EU emissions targets in place for 2020, in addition to French authorities assist for electrified autos, CO2 ranges fell sharply throughout over the 12 months. Common emissions have been 113 grams per kilometer in December 2019, however simply 91 g/km in December. Ranges fell each month since Might, once they have been 101 g/km.

Gross sales of hybrid and electrified autos surged for the 12 months. Hybrid market share was 15 p.c, in contrast with 5.7 p.c in 2019. Of that, plug-in hybrids accounted for 4.5 p.c, in opposition to 0.8 p.c in 2019. Electrical autos made up 6.7 p.c of gross sales in 2020, in contrast with 1.9 p.c in 2019.

The Renault Zoe was the one electrical automobile within the prime 10 sellers for the 12 months, with 37,409 gross sales.

Diesel gross sales hit a multi-year low in December, with a market share of 27 p.c, in contrast with 35 p.c in December 2019, and 31 p.c for the 12 months. Gasoline engine market share for the 12 months fell to 47 p.c from 58 p.c.

Twin-fuel gasoline and LPG autos had 1 p.c of the market, as Dacia pushed the know-how, in opposition to simply 0.1 p.c in 2019.

Mild-commercial automobile gross sales fell simply 2.3 p.c for the month, and 16 p.c for the 12 months, outpacing the passenger automotive market.