7 at the end of twelve months disappointing

Despite the gloom of the morale of the household, sales of new cars still passed the 2 million last year in France: with 2,068 million vehicles registered individuals national market displays, 2004, an annual growth of 2.7 in raw data and 3.1 in number of days equivalent. Lightweight faux pas of December (2.7 in raw data ) does only marginally the overall trend, but confirms the difficulties of the end of the 2005 vintage. "After a first half, the situation is gradually stretched in the second part of the year, then the competition became more and more intense between the marks," details the Committee of French automakers (CCFA), nevertheless considers the past year "rather satisfactory".

However, the main feature of this exercise is particularly strengthening the penetration of foreign trademarks: they have swept 44 of total sales, in awarding even near two year registration. With a market share of only 56 (excluding vehicles), hand 58.1 of sales current 2004, national builders failed despite them match their historical low point of 55.9 in 1997. Year poorly, their market share had a tendency to swing, in recent years, around 60.

In detail, the year is to forget more quickly for Renault, leading this trend downward. In concluding 2005 on a fall by 9.9 in December (and even 14.7 without the make-up of the Romanian Dacia, manufacturer of the Logan), the constructor at the diamond back of 2.7 at the end of twelve months disappointing. Its market on its main geographical market share back of 1.5 points, to 25.8.

Carlos Ghosn is now a boulevard before it destabilised troops announce a new three-year strategic plan, in early February, although it has many little assets for 2006 in terms of offer products.

Table contrasting in PSA

Symbol of the ex-Régie Loon: Megane (sedan) and its version Scénic, which represent about 60 of the operational advantage of the mark, falling respectively by 24.3 and 8.7, waiting for their double lifting. The "mini MPV" Modus disappoints, with only 61.900 registrations last year, as the Laguna restylée, a decrease of 15.

In the SAP camp, the table is more contrasted. Total with annual growth of 2.2, group at the two marks is not very far from the tendency of the domestic market. But this result is mainly attributable to Citroen, which climbs 5.7, while Peugeot is dead ( 0.3). And again, the Chevron brand can congratulate the success of his C4 sedan, sold to close 63.800 best last year, because the rest of its range (Picasso, C2, C3, C5, etc.) is negative. For Peugeot, the year ends on a market share of 17.5, 18 a year earlier, in the expectation of the arrival of the 207, in the spring of 2006 ("Les Echos" from January 2).

Conversely, many foreign brands well negotiated the elapsed year, at least in terms of volumes. With several new features as its Passat, Fox, Golf Plus and the non-negligible make-up of Audi and Skoda brands, the Volkswagen Group rose by 11, consolidating its position as first importer of cars in France. Similarly, Toyota continues to plot his route ( 11.1) and spent 4 market share, either clearly more than the Fiat group, almost motionless ( 0.5). In a more restricted registry, Honda sign a boom year ( 31.4), followed by compatriots Suzuki ( 16.4) and Nissan ( 8.6).

On the other hand, Korean Hyundai is somewhat slowed in its growth ( 1.5) in anticipation of its new Czech plant, whose construction is soon begin.

For 2006, the Vice-Chairman of Toyota France, Michel Gardel, table on an increase of 1.5 of the automotive market, in an interview with "The Forum" to be published today.