Thirteen consecutive months of decline and, premium on the depression, the worst month of June (- 16.8%) since 1996. The European automobile market is at half mast. The first half of 2022 ends down 14% compared to 2021. Even more worrying is – 5.8% than the first six months of 2020 marked by containment measures. In this context Peugeot sees its European sales collapse by 22.4% in the first half of 2022. It is hardly better on the French market (- 21.8%). From this darkness emerges a glimmer of hope carried by the last known clues. First, European sales for the month of June 2022 (-3.7%) are better than the market as a whole (-15.4%). Same at the national level. Sign of a positive thrill or simple summer allowances intended for registration?
Second point of satisfaction: increased profitability. During the 2021 financial year, the value of Peugeot models increased by 1.8%. Faithful to the roadmap dictated by Carlos Tavares, Peugeot is pursuing its dual objective: establishing itself as a long-term reference brand in the upper generalist segment and succeeding in its electric bet.
The 208 bears the mark
The 208 is at the top of sales on the French market (46,482 models sold) in the first half of 2022. All engines combined, the city car represents with 15,615 copies sold, the best European sale for the month of April. Sales of the e-208 (+6.3%) confirm the good performance of the electric market. Too bad the Sochaux brand cannot yet offer a hybrid version (expected in 2023) a sector where European sales increased by 9.2% in the first quarter of 2022.
The new banner
In charge of reinforcing the image of superior generalist, the new 308, holds its rank after a launch in a difficult post-covid context. Its aggressive design, new electronic architecture, its original dashboard and its new plug-in hybrid engine that no Peugeot had tried before hit the mark.
New-style sedan
On June 22, Peugeot revealed its 408. A crossover with an adventurous look, based on the elongated platform of the 308, whose mission is to energize the declining sedan segment. Initially offered in a plug-in hybrid version (110 kW and 132 kW) and petrol (130 hp), the e-408 will not arrive until 2024.
The chic electric
The electric car is electrifying the market. In the first quarter of 2022, 546,000 electric and hybrid vehicles were sold in Europe, i.e. 22% more than in 2021. In France, growth is 32% and worldwide 71.6%.
And the penetration of this type of engine will continue to increase. Leader in electrified vehicles, with 15.7% market share, Peugeot wants to quickly reach a 17% share. With the high point of the launches of the e-308, e-3008 and e-5008, 100% electric models, expected in 2023. A future e-1008, replacing the current 108, should also reinforce the entire range in order to cope with the Renault 5 or Volkswagen ID.2.
