New trends (2): Hybrid Cars!

As seen above, car manufacturers are having to deal with increasingly stringent norms and customers who are increasingly demanding with respect to fuel savings. As a result, large numbers of them are now looking into solutions that involve electrifying their vehicles. Hybrid vehicles, some of which can be recharged, and electric vehicles are the new stars of the auto tradeshows. 

Manufacturers release new models, government having a green policy giving away bonuses, allowed in 2012 the hybrid car market to not be concidered as a niche market anymore, by its market that has been doubled compared to the previous year.

In total, 27 730 hybrid cars have been registered in France in 2012, going up for about 107%! Despite a late coming to the market, the Toyota Yaris HSD is the most sold car in its category in 2012 with 4 418 registered vehicles and 16% of market shares. In 2nd we find the French manufacturer Peugeot with its Peugeot 3008 and 15% of market shares, followed not that far by the Toyota (again) Auris hybride (14%).

Interesting thing to point out is that the most famous hybrid car, that has been in the Top for many years, the Prius, now is ranked 6th, with only 2 486 cars registered, representing 9% of the market shares.

The global hybrid vehicle market exceeded 740,000 units in 2009. France accounted for sales of 9,399 of these units – a very modest increase of 2.9% on 2008, but importantly, on a market share that fell.

A market highly dominated by Toyota and PSA.

With 54.69% of market shares, Toyota group (Lexus included) dominate the sales for hybrid cars in France. Thanks to its innovation in technology, HYbrid4, launched on the model 3008, 508 and 508 RXh of Peugeot and DS5 by Citroën, the french group PSA is 2nd, reaching 34.77% of market shares. Cumulated, these 2 groups appear to get almost 90% of market share in 2012.

In the 3rd position, far away from Toyota and PSA, Honda gets 6.26% sales thanks to the success of its citadine Jazz Hybrid (1383 registrations). 

So, for a general overview, it appears that hybrid cars seem to have found their customers in France, customers find attractive the "green" side of these cars, but the government helps a lot the purchase of such vehicle. As seen above, sales keep increasing and manufacturers understood quickly that they have to become major influencers in this area, by keep improving their vehicles but also technologies.