French New Car Registrations Rise 2.18% in August, PFA Reports.

New car registrations in France rose 2.18% YoY in August to 87,850, according to PFA data. The Stellantis group saw a 1.74% increase, while Renault registrations rose 2.28%. Tesla experienced a sharp 47.25% drop in sales compared to last year. Over the first eight months of the year, the market recorded a 7.14% annual decline with 1,046,432 registrations.

French new car registrations increased by 2.18% year-over-year (YoY) in August to 87,850 vehicles, according to data from French car body PFA [1]. This growth was driven by a 1.74% increase in registrations for the Stellantis group and a 2.28% rise in Renault registrations. However, Tesla experienced a significant decline in sales, with a 47.25% drop in August compared to the same period last year. Over the first eight months of 2025, the overall French market recorded a 7.14% annual decline with 1,046,432 registrations.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reported that new EU car registrations jumped by 7.4% in July 2025, with electric vehicle (EV) sales continuing to grow. However, Tesla is facing declining sales in the EU, with a 43.5% drop in sales between January and July 2025 [2]. Tesla’s market share in the EU has dropped significantly, from 2.1% in 2024 to 1.2% in the first seven months of 2025. Meanwhile, Chinese EV maker BYD has seen its sales triple in the first seven months of 2025, securing a 1.1% market share in July [2].

In contrast to Tesla’s decline, other Chinese EV makers such as XPeng, Xiaomi, Nio, and Li Auto are expected to report sales data for August, which could show continued growth in the Chinese market [3]. Tesla’s sales in China have been declining, with registration data pointing to another year-over-year decline [3].

The French market's growth in August is a positive sign, but the overall decline in the first eight months indicates a challenging period for the industry. The increasing popularity of EVs in Europe, driven by BYD and other Chinese competitors, is a significant trend to watch. Tesla's declining sales in the EU and China highlight the intense competition in the EV market and the need for strategic adjustments.

References:
[1] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_L1N3UN06T:0-france-new-car-registrations-up-2-18-in-august-industry-body-says/
[2] https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/08/28/tesla-sales-down-by-40-in-europe-while-chinese-byd-triples-its-sales
[3] https://www.investors.com/news/tesla-rivals-xpeng-xiaomi-nio-byd-li-auto-china-ev-sales/?mod=newsviewer_click&refcode=aflMarketWatch&src=A00619