French car brands are still in the top 10 of sales in Europe according to ACEA (Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles).
The sales figures were released last July and the competition between Peugeot and Renault is staggering. Indeed, the two powerful brands are close to each other.
The French automotive industry is gaining a lot of ground with their products. To decide between the two brands and help you choose your next vehicle, here is our arbitration.
Losange leads the race in the first half
The Losange is in first place against the Lion brand in the first half of 2019.
With 582,309 cars sold, Renault takes the lead thanks to its flagship model: the Clio.
Renault is closely followed by the French brand Peugeot. A sales gap of 79,862 can be observed between the two rivals.
Peugeot leads Renault in September
Renault's flagship model, Clio IV, was dethroned in September and gave way to the Peugeot 208. It thus becomes the most coveted French car.
The first generation of the Peugeot 208 holds 4.6 % of the market, i.e. 76,108 cars sold, compared with 4.5% for the Clio IV, i.e. 73,753 cars sold.
Its two rivals are in close pursuit of each other and some of the Losange's potential customers have turned to the Lion.
Peugeot hires from its eternal rival
It's not just customers who are being evasive about Renault. Indeed, one of its pillars, in terms of human resources, is leaving the nest to join the competition, and he is not the first.
After Thierry Koskas, and Beatrice Foucher, Arnaud Deboeuf, director of the Renault-Nissan Alliance left the ship of Renault in July 2019.
Would Renault be destabilized by this?
Peugeot is the first to take advantage of the situation. The brand welcomes Renault's engineers with open arms.
Indeed, no non-competition clause has been signed in the contract of these top people. A situation which is very interesting in view of the current situation of Renault.
Staying #1 is a tricky business for the building. Its pillars go to the opponent, its sales are largely exceeded by the Lion. However, Renault does not seem to be influenced by the evil eye of others.
Clio V takes over to compete with
Clio cars are the pride of the Losange. The new version of the Renault Clio V has directly entered the race to compete with the Peugeot 208.
Its bodywork has been revised. Compared to the previous generation, it is spacious. This time, Renault decided to bet on the hybridization of its vehicle with a 130 horsepower gasoline engine. It is to know that the registration of a hybrid vehicle is almost free.
The Clio 5 is marketed at a lower price compared to the Peugeot 208. It remains to be seen whether this new range will be enough to allow the Losange to regain its throne. The rivalry between the two is a matter to be followed closely.
