Despite the French legislators ’ backlash against diesel continuing and diesel market share still in decline the general EU move to utilitarian vehicles like SUVs is still visible in France and diesel remains the most popular choice for SUV buyers . The three SUV segments top the table with well above average RVs with premium derivatives in all segments remaining the most sought after .
At a brand level Porsche , Land Rover and Jaguar top the table . Whilst these may not seem like the quintessential vehicle for a typical French car buyer they do benefit from a niche but growing following with the two British brands in particular benefitting from their widening and refreshed model range . Amongst the domestic and pseudo-domestic brands the budget Dacia benefits from its very low list price resulting in a strong RV percentage although in absolute terms its RVs are low . The move by Citroen to break out the DS brand and move it upmarket has resulted in above average RVs but the challenge is continuing to distance the brand from the Citroen badged predecessors and RV setters remain generally unconvinced this is happening enough resulting in the higher than average fall seen over the last 3 months .
Our overall view is that whilst petrol RVs have already increased sharply they may still increase by a further 2 percentage points whilst we believe diesel will be flat to marginally negative in segments like D1 large family saloons but have room to rise by a further 1 percentage point over the coming year .
Beyond 2017 is very much dependant on any further legislative interference but the extension of the Paris ban could add a further 1-2 percentage points improvement to the RVs of younger used vehicles coming back to the market in 2018-19 .
Top 10 Makes |
% Change |
|
Median RV % |
last 3 Months |
Market Average |
37.9 |
-0.3% |
PORSCHE |
51.5 |
+ 4.2 % |
LAND ROVER |
46.1 |
-0.3% |
JAGUAR |
45.6 |
+ 1.1 % |
AUDI |
45.1 |
+ 2.3 % |
M INI |
45.1 |
-3.1% |
BM W |
44.3 |
-1.6% |
VOLVO |
43.2 |
+ 3.3 % |
SUZUKI |
42.1 |
+ 0.2 % |
DACIA |
41.6 |
- |
DS |
40.9 |
-1.8% |
|
Top 10 Segments |
|
|
Median RV % |
% Change last 3 Months |
Market Average |
37.9 |
-0.3% |
J3 Premium SUV |
46.9 |
-1.2% |
J4 Luxury SUV |
44.9 |
+ 0.1 % |
J2 Compact SUV |
44.4 |
-0.1% |
C2 M edium Premium |
43.6 |
+ 1.7 % |
D2 Large Premium |
43.6 |
-1.1% |
J1 Small SUV |
42.4 |
-3.3% |
M 2 Large MPV |
40.4 |
+ 0.1 % |
D1 Large |
39.8 |
+ 2.7 % |
B1 Small |
39.6 |
+ 0.2 % |
E1 Executive |
38.6 |
-4.3% |
Source : Experteye AG
European Automotive Report - 2016 Quarter 2 16