Auto Market Report – May

1. 🔎 Summary of the Past Month

In May 2025, total new passenger‐car (PC) registrations in France reached 123 919 units, marking a – 12.3 % year-on-year (YoY) decline compared with May 2024. This contraction is largely due to a less favourable economic climate and the early May tightening of France’s eco-bonus eligibility. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 18.2 % of registrations, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) represented 5.3 % of the total.

In the United Kingdom, new car registrations rose to 150 070 units, a + 1.6 % YoY increase. Growth was propelled by fleet and corporate purchases, although private sales fell by – 2.3 %. BEVs made up 21.8 % of registrations, and PHEVs 11.9 %, both figures still below the government’s ZEV mandate of 28 % for 2025.

2. 📊 Comparative Summary Table

3. 📈 Market Share Trends by Powertrain

• France:

• BEV share rose from 17.6 % (May 2024) to 18.2 % in May 2025.

• Non-plug-in hybrids still dominate at 21.6 % of total registrations.

• PHEVs climbed from 3.8 % to 5.3 % YoY.

• United Kingdom:

• BEV share increased from 17.6 % to 21.8 % YoY.

• PHEV share grew from 9.4 % to 11.9 %, yet still trails the 28 % ZEV target.

  Chinese marques such as BYD and MG have rapidly expanded their presence in the UK market, whereas France remains led by domestic brands (Renault, Peugeot) alongside premium names like Tesla.

4. 🚗 Top 10 EV Models – May 2025

🇫🇷 France – Top 10 BEVs

🇬🇧 United Kingdom – Top 10 BEVs

Key Observations:

- In France, Renault and Peugeot continue to dominate the EV leaderboard, while Tesla Model Y holds its premium position. Lower-cost models—Dacia Spring and Fiat 500e—indicate strong demand among cost-conscious households.

- In the UK, BYD Atto 3 leads the rankings, underscoring the rapid ascendancy of Chinese brands. The MG4 EV’s impressive entry performance highlights its competitive pricing.

5. 📌 Key Highlights

• France – Eco-bonus Tightening (May 2025): Early-May reforms lowered the eco-bonus ceiling, dampening EV order volumes. Several dealerships countered with “0 % APR leasing” offers to stimulate BEV uptake.

• UK – Fleet/Corporate Surge: BEV registrations to fleets jumped by + 18 % in May, benefiting from enhanced Plug-in Car Grants and ULEZ-driven incentives. Private buyer demand dipped, leaving fleet sales to shoulder growth.

• Chinese Marque Disruption (UK): BYD and MG continue to erode market share from traditional European and Japanese manufacturers, particularly in the economy segment.

• ZEV Mandate Gap (UK): Mid-year progress stands at 21.8 % against a 28 % target. Analysts warn that slowing private demand is not fully offset by fleet orders.

• Dealer Promotions (France): Several French dealerships introduced “0 % APR rent” deals to address depreciation concerns and push BEV conversions, a tactic that may reshape short-term sales dynamics.

6. 🖋️ Sources

• France: PFA – Plateforme Automobile

• United Kingdom: SMMT – Car Registrations

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