In Brief
The French automotive market in 2026 is marked by a modest upturn in new-car sales after a year of decline in 2025. The Renault Clio continues to stand out as the best-selling model, ahead of the Peugeot 208. Renault and Stellantis groups maintain a dominant lead in registrations, especially in the first half of 2026. The ranking of the 50 most popular new cars highlights the vitality of the French market and growing interest across segments, including SUVs, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids.
L’Auto-Journal takes stock of the state of the automotive market in France in 2026, across all segments.
Auto Sales 2026: What Trend Is Emerging at the Start of the Year?
One recalls that the 2025 period saw Renault once again outpacing the Stellantis group thanks to the Clio, named the best-selling car of the previous year, ahead of the Peugeot 208, after a 12-month stretch closed with an overall drop in registrations of -5.02% (versus 2024) with 1,632,154 new vehicles.
According to the CCFA (French Automobile Manufacturers’ Committee) based on figures from PFA/AAA DATA, the month of September 2026, the return to the market after the summer break, recorded 156,629 registrations, a year-over-year rise of 11.60% in raw data (22 days in September 2026 and 22 days in September 2025).
Auto Sales 2026: Peugeot 208 Still on Its Throne
With a provisional total of 1,234,952 registrations in the first nine months of 2026, the French new-car market is up 4.06% in raw data. Below is the ranking of the 50 best-selling new-car models in the French market as of the end of September 2026 (source: CCFA according to the datasets PFA/AAA DATA). You will also find our sales rankings for SUVs, 100% electric cars, and plug-in hybrids, updated monthly based on the official data available.
Source : CCFA.fr / PFA/AAA DATA
Comparative Table
| Period | Registrations | Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2025 (vs 2024) | 1,632,154 | -5.02% |
| June 2026 | 188,787 | +11.37% (vs June 2025) |
| January to June 2026 | 857,166 | +1.78% (vs Jan–Jun 2025) |
Key Takeaways
- The Renault Clio remains the best-selling car in France at the start of 2026, ahead of the Peugeot 208.
- In 2026, the new-car market shows a modest rebound after the decline in 2025.
- The French groups Renault and Stellantis dominate the top positions in the rankings.
- Registrations regain positive momentum, up 1.78% in the first half of 2026.
- Specific analyses are regularly published for the SUV, electric, and plug-in hybrid segments.
- Figures and rankings come from official CCFA and PFA/AAA DATA sources.
FAQ
Which brands are most represented in the top 10 sales in 2026?
The Peugeot and Renault groups dominate the top 10 of new-car sales in France at the start of 2026.
What is the best-selling car in France in 2026?
The Renault Clio remains the best-selling car in France through June 2026, ahead of the Peugeot 208.
How are new-car registrations evolving in 2026?
After a drop in 2025, the market is showing a modest uptick with a 1.78% rise in the first half of 2026.
Where can I find the full ranking of the 50 best-selling new cars?
The ranking is published and kept up to date by Auto-Journal, based on official CCFA and PFA/AAA DATA figures.
What trends are seen in the SUV or electric segments?
Monthly-specific rankings are available for SUVs, electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrids, according to official data.
