The Peugeot 208 and Dacia Sandero topped the list of best-selling new cars in Europe last year, long dominated by the Volkswagen Golf.
Cocorico (or almost). Two “French” cars topped the ranking of the best new car sales in Europe last year according to data from the Jato firm. The Peugeot 208 became the best-selling car in Europe last year.
The end of 14 years of domination of the Golf
The small compact, of French brand therefore but produced in Slovakia, takes this first place in the ranking thanks to the sale of 206,816 units last year in an “enlarged Europe” zone (zone which includes the 26 countries of the Union, in adding the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland).
This performance marks the end of a long domination of the Volkswagen Golf, in first place in this ranking since 2009, ie 14 consecutive titles. The compact star of the German brand even finds itself well behind, in fifth place in the ranking, with 177,203 units sold. In particular, it is overtaken by its SUV equivalent at Volkswagen, the T-Roc, in third place (181,153 sales).
The great rival of the 208 on the French market, the Renault Clio, tumbles for its part to 10th place. She was still fourth last year.
The Sandero remains second
It is in second place in the ranking that we find our second “French” car: the Dacia Sandero. The Romanian brand has belonged to the Renault group since 1999. The vehicle is assembled in the Dacia plant in Pitesti, Romania, as well as in Morocco.
Best seller in all segments in France in January, the Sandero therefore confirms its good form. This third generation had already finished in second place in the European rankings last year.
In the rest of the top 10, we can note the fourth place of the Fiat 500, 179,863 copies sold in 2022. Like the Peugeot 208, it still offers a thermal engine (petrol/diesel for the 208, hybrid for the 500) and a 100% electric version. An asset in the current transition period.
We also find a cousin of the 208, the Opel Corsa, which is based on the same platform of the Stellantis group, in seventh place.
Where are the “made in France” models?
It is in sixth place that we find the first model assembled (in part) in France, the Yaris. Indeed, the Onnaing factory, near Valenciennes, is now focusing more on the crossover variant, the Yaris Cross. The latter also established itself in 2002 as the most produced car in France. The Yaris Cross is also having a good first full year at European level, finishing in fifteenth place.
The first car offered only in a 100% electric version of the ranking is unsurprisingly the Model Y. Tesla’s SUV takes 13th place. It remains mainly produced in China, but the Performance versions have been assembled in the Berlin factory since last year.
