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October’s auto market noticed plugin EVs at 31.1% share in France, up from 23.5% yr on yr. BEVs grew YoY quantity by 63% and gained a further 9% share of the market. Total auto quantity was 139,514 models, up some 3% YoY. The Renault 5 was France’s best-selling BEV in October.

October noticed mixed EVs at 31.1% share in France, with full battery electrics (BEVs) at 24.4% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 6.7%. These examine with YoY figures of 23.5% mixed, 15.4% BEV and eight.0% PHEV.
October’s notable enhance in BEV gross sales (up 63% YoY to 34,109 models) is a welcome results of the primary deliveries underneath the 2025 “Social Leasing” programme. How lengthy will the programme’s enhance to BEV volumes final? The Renault 5 delivered 4,551 models in October, some 2,000 models greater than regular. In complete, the Renault 5 recorded 10,000 signed lease contracts underneath the programme, so we are able to conclude that roughly 20% of those have been fulfilled (and delivered) in October.
Assuming this 20% per thirty days is roughly professional rata over all Social Leasing automobiles, the programme’s enhance to BEV volumes would possibly last as long as 5 or 6 months. Whereas that is thus a brief enhance, it can nevertheless additionally get extra (comparatively inexpensive) BEVs on the highway, enhance dealerships’ familiarity with BEVs, in addition to the general public’s familiarity, enhance manufacturing volumes and cut back prices, and so forth – all advantages which can endure after the programme ends.
Due to the rise in BEV market share, mixed combustion-only share fell to a file low of 23.3%, with diesel at an equal-record low of 4.2% and petrol an equal-record low of 19.2% (flat from final month). We may even see their mixed share dip beneath 20% in December.

Finest-Promoting BEV Fashions
Due to the Social Leasing programme, the Renault 5 noticed near file volumes in October, with 4,551 models delivered, taking the highest spot.
One other Social Leasing participant, the Peugeot e-208, took second with 2,436 models (some 3x its latest month-to-month common quantity). The Renault Scenic (not within the programme) took third, with 1,670 models.

Two different fashions which received a notable enhance from the programme have been the Peugeot e-2008, with 1,630 models (over 4x its latest month-to-month quantity), and the Renault Megane, with 1,166 models (some 2x latest quantity).
The Citroen e-C3 hasn’t but proven any specific enhance from the programme, with a modest 1,391 models (decrease than its quantity in 4 earlier months this yr).
In the meantime the Renault 4 continued to ramp, with a private greatest 1,201 models, and the Hyundai Inster additionally noticed a P.B. of 574 models.
Most different fashions within the prime 20 have been wholesome, albeit not essentially at their file volumes.
As normal, restricted public knowledge on auto gross sales signifies that we are able to’t detect launches of recent BEVs within the French market. It’s notable nevertheless, that nicely over half of the highest 20 quantity is made up of fashions in A and B segments.
Let’s get an replace on the trailing 3-month gross sales rankings:

Regardless of its massive September, the Tesla Mannequin Y’s extra modest October volumes have seen it fall again to second place this month, because the Renault 5 as soon as once more stands within the lead. The small Renault additionally has an enormous lead over the Tesla within the YTD race, so this isn’t simply concerning the Renault’s outsized October consequence.
The Peugeot e-208, then again, has leapt as much as third in October (from seventh within the prior interval) primarily because of the Social Leasing programme. Its sibling, the e-2008, had an excellent larger relative climb, to eighth, from twenty third beforehand.
The 2 different massive climbers in comparison with three months prior have been the Renault 4, now in sixth, from thirteenth, and the Hyundai Inster, in thirteenth, from twenty fourth prior. In each instances, that is primarily a results of their newness, and persevering with manufacturing ramp-up.
How far will these new fashions proceed to climb? I’d anticipate the Renault 4, which is a small SUV type issue, to ultimately be virtually as standard as its hatchback sibling, the Renault 5. The approaching months will see them each often within the prime 5, and certain each staying there for a very long time.
Outlook
The three% YoY progress of the auto market is sort of all because of the enhance in BEV quantity, ensuing from the beginning of Social Leasing deliveries. This YoY enhance will proceed over the following few months.
The broader French macroeconomy stays undynamic, with Q3 2025 knowledge displaying 0.9% YoY GDP progressfollowing on from 0.7% in Q2. Headline inflation decreased to 1.0% in October, from 1.2% in September. ECB rates of interest stay flat at 2.15% (since early June). Manufacturing PMI was up barely, at 48.8 factors in October, from 48.0 factors in September.
Macron’s approval ranking is now simply 11% in line with latest pollinghowever he nonetheless refuses to name contemporary elections, since his ego is outwardly larger than the views of the French individuals. I’m ready for the pitchforks to emerge. Starmer (UK) and Merz (Germany) are solely marginally much less unpopular, clearly demonstrating that the insurance policies and postures of Europe’s political class don’t symbolize the desire of the individuals (so who’re they representing?).
The European ruling lessons’ help for the Gaza genocide (towards the desire of the individuals) has been the clearest instance of this charade, and proof of their enduring supremacism (contra the emotions of normal individuals). This blatant supremacism can also be a catastrophe for Europe’s picture on the earth, and the numerous fall in overseas funding into the area displays this, signalling an excellent worse financial outlook sooner or later. Expertise transitions require funding and financial buoyancy, and the present ruling class is on the mistaken facet of historical past, clinging on to Europe’s imperial age.
What are your ideas about France’s transition to EVs? Which manufacturers and fashions do you anticipate to have probably the most success? Please share your perspective within the feedback beneath.
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