Tesla Model 3 Jumps To #2 In France — #CleanTechnica EV Sales Report

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The French plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market recorded 6,136 registrations in March, up 14% year over year (YoY). A big portion of this growth came from the Tesla Model 3, which had 1,153 deliveries last month, the best result ever for a nameplate not called “Renault Zoe.”

This result kept the 2019 PEV share at 2.6%, with fully electric vehicles (BEVs) alone having 1.9% share.

Looking at last month’s best sellers, the Renault Zoe’s sales dropped 32% last month YoY, to 1,536 units. I presume the Peugeot e-208 shadow is starting to be felt. The month’s main news, of course, came in 2nd place, with the Tesla Model 3 reaching 1,153 deliveries.

If those not familiar with this market might feel this is not a disruptive result — after all, the Californian remained below the leader Zoe — note that this event in France would be like the Audi e-tron jumping straight into #2 on the US PEV market. The Zoe is a giant in France, and is thus hard to topple.

Elsewhere, the usual silver medalist Nissan Leaf had to be contented with the last place on the podium, with 455 units delivered. That was its best performance in the last 8 months. The Kia Niro EV was #4, with 299 deliveries, a new personal best.

Another interesting event was the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV reaching the 5th spot, thanks to 258 deliveries, beating this year’s current plug-in hybrid best seller (the Volvo XC60 PHEV, 223 units).

Rank	Model	March Sales
1	Renault Zoe	1,536
2	Tesla Model 3	1,153
3	Nissan Leaf	455
4	Kia Niro EV	299
5	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	258

In a market known for its stability, this time there were a number of changes in the top positions, with the Tesla Model 3 jumping to the runner-up spot, while the Kia Niro EV was up one position, to #5.

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) race is warming up, as 42 units now separate the #4 Volvo XC60 PHEV and the #6 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, two midsize SUVs.

Interestingly, the 7 best selling PHEVs are either SUVs or crossovers, while on the BEV side, 8 out of the top 11 models are regular cars.

In the second half of the ranking, both Land Rover yachts SUVs hit record numbers, allowing the Range Rover Sport PHEV to climb one spot, to #11.

Underlining Kia’s good moment in France, the Niro PHEV registered 115 units, its best result in 15 months.

We welcome two new models on the top 20 list as well, although only one of them, the Audi e-Tron, is a fresh face. The other, the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, is a familiar name in this ranking.

In the brand ranking, Renault (29%, down 3%), continues in the leading position, but has lost a significant share of the market, while Tesla (12%) jumped to the 2nd spot, dropping Volvo (9%, down 1%) to #3, and kicking Nissan (8%) off of the podium.

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Tesla Model 3 & the ICE competition

Rank	Model	2019 sales
1	Peugeot 508	2,839
2	Mercedes C-Class	2,118
3	Renault Talisman	1,782
4	Tesla Model 3	1,554
5	Mercedes E-Class	1,378

One of the question marks around the Model 3 in Europe regarded the impact that it was going to make on this side of the Atlantic. Will it disrupt the plug-in and petrol/diesel sedan market in the same way that it is doing in the US, or will it be more subdued, because it is playing away from home?

The answer is now being written. Comparing the Model 3’s French deliveries in its second month on the market, the 1,153 deliveries allowed it to beat every competitor in its category, with the #2 Renault Talisman ending the month with 1,020 units.

But looking at the total Q1 registrations, the Tesla Model 3 was only 4th. Although, a podium place in the coming quarters seems not only possible, but likely.

Does the handsome Peugeot 508 have its throne in jeopardy?

Rank	France	March	YTD	YTD Share
1	Renault Zoe	1,536	4,229	29%
2	Tesla Model 3	1,153	1,554	11%
3	Nissan Leaf	455	1,122	8%
4	Volvo XC60 PHEV	223	721	5%
5	Kia Niro EV	299	701	5%
6	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	258	679	5%
7	BMW i3	207	648	4%
8	Smart Fortwo ED	104	497	3%
9	Volvo XC90 PHEV	137	472	3%
10	Mini Countryman PHEV	177	456	3%
11	LR Range Rover Sport PHEV	163	369	3%
12	Hyundai Kona EV	141	367	3%
13	LR Range Rover PHEV	105	229	2%
14	Peugeot iOn	127	228	2%
15	Kia Niro PHEV	115	226	2%
16	Citroen C-Zero	93	175	1%
17	BMW 225xe Act. Tourer	84	162	1%
18	Audi e-tron	140	154	1%
19	VW e-Golf	61	153	1%
20	Hyundai Ioniq PHEV	58	150	1%
+	Others	500	1,214	8%
=	TOTAL	6,136	14,506	100%