France Car Registrations Rise 11% as Chinese Brands Lift Share to 7.2%

According to data from the Committee of French Automobile Manufacturer (CCFA), new passenger vehicle registrations in France reached 188,787 units in June 2026, up 11.37% year-on-year, marking the second consecutive month of growth.

For the first half of the year, total registrations in France reached 857,166 units, up 1.8% year-on-year, indicating a gradual and moderate market recovery.

In terms of powertrain structure, electrification continued to reshape market composition.

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations reached 55,851 units in June, accounting for 29.6% of total sales and rising 91.7% year-on-year.

Hybrid vehicles (HEV and PHEV combined) accounted for 44.2%, remaining the dominant category.

Meanwhile, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles further declined to 17.9%, underscoring a continued structural shift toward electrification.

Within this growth cycle, Chinese brands continued to expand their market penetration. In June, Chinese automakers collectively registered 13,594 vehicles in France, lifting their market share to 7.2%.

BYD remained the strongest performer among Chinese brands, registering 5,040 vehicles in June, up 398.5% year-on-year, ranking first among Chinese manufacturers in the market.

For the first half, BYD recorded 13,546 registrations, up 140.2% year-on-year.

Its growth has tracked closely with the expansion of its European distribution network.

In April, BYD’s premium sub-brand Denza officially entered the French market, introducing the Z9GT and D9 DM-i models.

At the launch event, BYD’s flash charging technology made its European debut and advanced the deployment of megawatt-level flash charging stations across Europe.

SAIC’s MG brand maintained a stable scale in France, with 4,688 registrations in June, up 95.5% year-on-year.

First-half sales reached 16,417 units, up 25.1%, keeping it among the key Chinese players in the market.

Chery-backed Jaecoo, which entered France in April, saw rapid early-stage growth, registering 1,987 units in June and 3,870 units in the first half, reflecting a typical ramp-up phase for a new entrant.

Leapmotor and XPeng also moved into higher-volume territory. Leapmotor registered 940 units in June, up 286.8%, while XPeng recorded 814 units, up 108.2%.

Despite the rise of new entrants, domestic French brands continued to dominate in absolute volume.

Renault registered 32,410 units in June, down 0.9% year-on-year, retaining its No.1 position in the market, although growth momentum has softened.

Premium German brands came under pressure, with Mercedes-Benz down 20.1% and Porsche down 14.3%, reflecting strain in both traditional luxury and combustion-engine segments amid structural transition.

Tesla maintained a strong presence in France, registering 7,474 vehicles in June, up 105% year-on-year. First-half registrations reached 28,694 units, up 140.7%.