France March 2019

Tesla Model 3 jumps to #2

The French PEV passenger car market registered 6,136 registrations in March, up 14% YoY, with a big portion of this growth coming from the Tesla Model 3, with 1,153 deliveries last month, the best result ever for a nameplate not called "Renault Zoe".

This result kept the 2019 PEV share at 2.6%, with BEVs alone having 1.9% share.

Looking at last month Best Sellers, the Renault Zoe sales dropped 32% last month, to 1,536 units (the Peugeot e-208 shadow is starting to be felt…), while this month main news came in 2nd place, with the Tesla Model 3 reaching 1,153 units, if those not familiar with this market might feel this is not a disruptive result, after all the Californian remained below the leader Zoe, this event in France is like the Audi e-Tron jumping straight into #2 on the US PEV market. 

Elsewhere, the usual silver medalist Nissan Leaf this time had to be contented with the last place of the podium, with 455 units, its best performance in the last 8 months, while the Kia Niro EV was #4, with 299 deliveries, a new personal best. 

Another interesting event was the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV reaching the 5th spot, thanks to 258 deliveries, beating the current PHEV Best Seller (Volvo XC60 PHEV, 223 units).   

Pl	Model	Sales
1	Renault Zoe	1,536
2	Tesla Model 3	1,153
3	Nissan Leaf	455
4	Kia Niro EV	299
5	Mitsu. Outlander PHEV	258

In a market known for its stability, this time there were a number of changes in the top positions, with the Tesla Model 3 jumping to the runner-up spot, while the Kia Niro EV was up one position, to #5.

The PHEV race is warming up, as 42 units now separate the #4 Volvo XC60 PHEV, and the #6 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, two midsize SUVs. 

Interestingly, the 7 best selling PHEVs are either SUVs or Crossovers, while on the BEV side, 8 out of the Top 11 models are regular cars.

On the second half of the ranking, both Land Rover yachts SUVs hit record numbers, allowing the Range Rover Sport PHEV toclimb one spot, to #11.

Underlining Kia's good moment in France, the Niro PHEV registered 115 units, its best result in 15 months.

We welcome two new models on the Top 20, although only one of them, the Audi e-Tron, is a fresh face, while the other, the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, is a familiar name in this ranking. 

In the brands ranking, Renault (29%, down 3%), continues in the leading position, but has lost a significant share of the market, while Tesla (12%) jumped to the 2nd spot, dropping  Volvo (9%, down 1%) to #3, and kicking Nissan (8%) out of the podium. 

Tesla Model 3 & the ICE competition

Pl	Model	2019 sales
1	Peugeot 508	2,839
2	Mercedes C-Class	2,118
3	Renault Talisman	1,782
4	Tesla Model 3	1,554
5	Mercedes E-Class	1,378

One of the question marks around the Model 3 in Europe, regarded the impact that it was going to make on this side of the Atlantic, will it disrupt the PEV and ICE sedan market in the same way that it is doing in the US, or will it be more subdued, because it is playing away from home?

The answer is now being written, comparing the Model 3 French deliveries in its second month on the market, the 1,153 deliveries allowed it to beat every competitor in its category, with the #2 Renault Talisman ending the month with 1,020 units.

But looking at the total Q1 registrations, the Tesla Model 3 was only 4th, although a podium place in the next quarters will not only seem possible, but likely. 

Is the handsome Peugeot 508 having its throne in jeopardy?

USA March 2019

Tesla Model 3 leads softening market

Some 27,600 plug-in units were registered last month in the USA, up just 5% YoY, with the PEV Share reaching 1.8%, above the 1.6% of 12 months ago. 

This growth softening has to do with Tesla focusing the Model 3 deliveries in overseas markets, with the numbers of the leading nameplate influencing the general behavior of this Tesla-addicted PEV market.

Speaking of Tesla, while the Model 3 keeps on growing, its older siblings, the Model S (2.275 deliveries, down 33% YoY) and Model X (2.175, down 23%) are suffering, although it's not as bad as in overseas markets, where sales are down to less than half. The refresh is a real necessity now.

Looking elsewhere, the Chevrolet Bolt returned to the 2nd Place, thanks to 2.166 units,  while the Toyota Prius Prime recovered from the Honda Clarity PHEV the status of Best Selling PHEV.

In a numb stable market, there are a couple of performances that deserve a mention, the VW e-Golf had its best result since 2015, with 581 registrations, allowing it to jump six positions, to #14, while the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV climbed three spots, to #15. Why the Japanese SUV is not in a Top 10 position is beyond me, maybe Mitsu finds it more profitable to sell in in Europe? 

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, Tesla is now responsible for 49% of the market (+2%), while Chevrolet (11%, +1%) hangs on to Second Place, with Toyota (7%) in the last place of the podium, ahead of Honda (6%, down 1%) and BMW (5%).

Tesla Model 3 & Others

Pl	Model	2019 Sales
1	Toyota Camry	81,684
2	Honda Accord	64,411
3	Nissan Altima	51,480
4	Ford Fusion	41,683
5 ... 7	Chevrolet Malibu … Tesla Model 3	34,197 … 22,425

With the Tesla Model 3 selling at a slower pace, the category best sellers gained a significant advantage, leaving the Tesla midsizer only in #7, but despite this, the Californian still has the Premium midsize segment Best Seller title in the bag, as its closest competitor, the Mercedes C-Class is well behind it, with 15,002 sales.

So the Model 3 will need the new, cheaper, SR versions to reach the Camry & Co sales pace. 

Tesla Model S & Others

Pl	Model	2019 Sales
1	Mercedes E/CLS-Class	10,394
2	BMW 5-Series	10,345
3	Audi A6	5,358
4	Tesla Model S	3,625
5	Mercedes S-Class	3,151

Looking at the large premium car category, the Tesla Model S is suffering from the cannibalization effect of the Model 3, having seen its sales drop 33% YoY, falling from the usual 3rd spot to 4th.

Sales may only return to normal levels, once the anticipated refresh finally lands.

Regarding the Model X, it's even worse, as the Tesla nameplate is not even on the Top 10 of the Large Premium SUV category…