11% Share!
The French PEV passenger car market broke all the records in January, with all-electric models jumping 258%, to 10,952 units, while plug-in hybrids also surged (+238%), to 3,813 registrations, with both powertrains beating their own previous bests, and adding to a record 14,765 plugin registrations.
This brilliant start of the year, added to a falling overall market (-13% YoY), pulled the 2020 PEV share to an amazing 11% share (8.2% for BEVs alone), a far cry from the 2.7% of the same month last year, and with HEVs also jumping (9% share last month versus 5% in January '19), 20% of the overall market is already electrified, which is making pure ICE share to dive, and diesel in particular is now at 32%, a new decades low.
Has disruption hit the French market for good?
Looking at January Best Sellers, the Renault Zoe smashed its registrations record, with 5,331 units (#3 in the overall market!), being the main reason for BEVs to shine, but it wasn't the only one, as the #2 Peugeot 2018 EV landed with a bang, with 2,537 deliveries, with PSA disrupting the market, by placing 5(!) models in the Top 6.
Besides the runner-up spot of the 208 EV, Peugeot placed the 3008 PHEV crossover in #3, and the 508 PHEV midsize model in #6, while the luxury arm of the Group, DS, had its two models in #4 and #5.
Add the fire-sale of the nine-lives Citroen C-Zero (a record 414 units!) and the 161 registrations of the crossover Opel Grandland X PHEV, and we can say that PSA's electric deployment started with the right foot, and there's still the landing of the Opel Corsa EV and volume ramp up of the crossover Peugeot 2008 EV...
With the plugin market now starting to resemble the overall market, there was still time for other models to shine, like the #7 Kia Niro EV (429 units) and #10 Hyundai Kona EV (248) hitting record results, or the impressive landings of the Seat e-Mii EV (116 units) and Skoda Citigo EV (124), respectively the Spanish and Czech twins of the small VW e-Up!.
With PSA starting 2020 in full speed, Renault's 8 year(!) walk in the park could be nearing the end, and while the French brand still has a commanding 36% share, Peugeot now has 27%, and adding the remaing PSA brands (Citroen, DS, Opel) to the tally, we get 39% for PSA, which is exacly the same number, if we add Renault to Nissan and (the fallen to abyss) Mitsubishi.
And all of the sudden, the French EV market became one of the most interesting to follow...
8 new models!Comparison with 2019.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how many times I have written in the comments on the sites I visit: And What about PSA, They are as ambitious as VW Group.
ReplyDeletePS-who?
If the alliance gets its act together (unlikely), they can still compete
Yep, PSA has arrived late to the game, but its growth prospects are tremendous, i only wish they have enough batteries to satisfy demand.
DeleteThe difference is that VW has a real dedicated BEV platform, while PSA doesn't -- which means that outside of PSA's home turf, VW's models should be way more competitive, once they arrive...
DeleteBut this is still VWs first EV platform. Renault and Nissan are doing it for years and i don't believe that VWs EV will be as good in first generation (same as PSA).
Delete+ PSA has dedidacted platform. New platform was designed with thinking about EVs and Hybrids.
A platform designed with multiple power train options is *not* the same as a dedicated BEV platform. The requirements of combustion cars and BEVs are very different, and it's impossible to do a design that fully takes advantage of the possibilities offered by a BEV power train while also accommodating a combustion option. (In terms of costs, efficiency, interior space, simplicity, driving dynamics etc.) Every car maker who thinks they can "cheat" their way around that, will have a rude awakening.
DeleteAlso, while the MEB is VW's first dedicated mass-market EV architecture, it's not their first generation of BEVs: they have had the e-Golf and e-Up! for years; the e-tron for a while; and recently introduced the Taycan, on what's actually VWs first dedicated (though not flexible) BEV platform.
Renault/Nissan have been doing BEVs a bit longer, but with limited investment. Neither the Zoe nor the Leaf actually use a real dedicated BEV platform: they are both derived from combustion car platforms, much like the e-tron. They intend to introduce a true dedicated BEV platform in the future, but only after VW.
So yes, I'm fairly confident that the MEB models will be clearly superior to anything Renault/Nissan or PSA will have to offer in the near term... VW would really have to screw this up in order for them not to be superior.
France vs Germany.Is there a chance for France?
ReplyDeleteIdeally France should be the leader in BEVs since their night time electricity prices are very low because of 24*365 run of their nuclear plants. All plugin vehicle owners can happily charge at night with ultra low prices.
ReplyDeleteFinally French are getting their act. So Renault Zoe with the high range battery is racing and PSA is getting in.
"Ideally France should be the leader in BEVs".Year I think so too(best subsidy conditions).In this case,the models PSA and Zoe will not be enough in other markets.:(
DeleteI find it a bit shocking that even in the new year (no more intentionally holding back deliveries), Kona is still behind Leaf...
ReplyDelete#ImportersMatter.
DeleteThe attitude towards EVs of local importers play a major role in the success of a given brand, i remember that Kia Portugal took years to get into the EV bandwagon, unlike Kia Spain.
When people started to import privately brand new Kia Soul EVs from Spain to Portugal, finally Kia Portugal started to sell the Soul EV in significant numbers.
From the posted data, carmaker standings are:
ReplyDelete1st Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance with 5810 vehicles
2nd Groupe PSA with 5622 vehicles
3rd Kia-Hyundai with 784 vehicles
4th Volkswagen Group with 460 vehicles
5th BMW Group with 269 vehicles