Car Sales Slip in France in February

PARIS – Car sales in France declined 12.1% in February to 143,366 units, a slightly smaller fall than in January.

For the year, the market is down 13.5% from like-2012.

The poor results were not unexpected, although everyone selling cars is hoping for signs the bottom will be reached sometime in 2013. One relative bright spot: With one fewer selling day this year, the decline equates to only 7.7% on daily basis.

Sales in the light-utility/vehicle sector were down about the same as the car segment in February.

Car sales slipped 14.1% at PSA Peugeot Citroen and 13.0% at Renault, although the latter’s new Dacia Sandero model helped that brand grow 30.1%.

Among importers, Ford took the biggest hit, down 30.7%, while General Motors sales fell 17%.

Toyota and Hyundai Group grew their volumes, and Mercedes, Fiat, BMW, Volkswagen and Nissan all gained a little share, with sales falling less than the market overall.