French sales increased 46% in May as COVID restrictions ease

French registrations increased by 46 percent in May compared with the same month in 2020, when dealer showrooms were mostly closed because of coronavirus lockdowns. 

A number of volume brands recorded growth of more than 50 percent, led by Volkswagen Group, which saw its overall sales rise 70 percent for May. VW brand sales increased by 75 percent, Audi by 69 percent, Seat by 64 percent and Skoda by 56 percent. Other top performers were Fiat, up 57 percent, and Hyundai, up 55 percent.

There were 141,041 sales in May on 19 selling days, according to industry group CCFA. There were 20 selling days in May 2020; adjusted for that, sales rose by 39 percent. 

However, registrations were down by 27 percent from May 2019, when 193,948 vehicles were sold.

This year, French dealers operated under a partial lockdown until May 19, with sales and deliveries by appointment only, and a national curfew of 7 p.m.

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Source: https://europe.autonews.com/sales-market/french-sales-increased-46-may-covid-restrictions-ease