French car market grows in October

The French automotive market grew by 7 percent in October 2026, with 149,341 vehicles registered, according to a report released on November 1, 2026. This follows a 11.6 percent increase in September 2026, showing continued momentum in the sector.

Electric vehicles drive growth

The increase is largely due to a sharp rise in electric vehicle (EV) registrations, which surged by 81.7 percent in October, totaling 61,958 units. These EVs made up 41.5 percent of the total market, marking a significant shift toward electrification.

Renault leads in electric sales

Renault was the top seller of electric vehicles, registering 14,610 units—a 69.6 percent increase compared to the previous year. This accounted for 56.3 percent of Renault’s total monthly registrations, highlighting its strong position in the EV segment.

Stellantis gains volume but not share

Stellantis saw a 2.8 percent increase in October, with 36,901 vehicles registered. However, the company did not gain any additional market share, indicating that its growth was outpaced by competitors.

Renault group faces internal challenges

The Renault group as a whole declined by 4.1 percent in October, with 34,730 registrations. While Renault and Alpine brands saw increases of 4.2 percent and 19.7 percent respectively, the decline of Dacia by 23.8 percent dragged down the group’s overall performance.

Year-to-date growth remains positive

Since the start of 2026, the French automotive market has grown by 4.4 percent, with a total of 1,384,293 vehicles registered. This suggests a sustained upward trend in the industry despite some fluctuations in individual brands.