The bodywork market - France

The French automotive bodywork market occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of industry, services and consumption. It is characterized by a dual dynamic: on the one hand, an industry specialized in the manufacture of bodies and trailers, coded under NAF 29.20Z, which has seen a steady increase in the number of establishments (from 1,101 in 2020 to 1,209 in 2024).on the other hand, the repair and maintenance services sector is closely linked to changes in the national vehicle fleet and mobility patterns. The overall economic context weighs heavily on this market: France continues to face a structural trade deficit, although the deficit has recently narrowed thanks to growth in exports and a contraction in imports. At the same time, the national car fleet continues to grow, reaching almost 39.3 million vehicles in 2024, an increase of 2.2% in four years. This increase automatically feeds demand for bodywork services, both for routine maintenance and for claims-related repairs. The structure of this fleet also reflects a transformation in consumer preferences: SUVs now dominate the market with 49% of registrations, relegating sedans to 43% and marginalizing other silhouettes, which influences the nature of repairs and adaptations requested. The market is also closely correlated with road safety trends. After a cyclical drop in 2020 linked to the confinements, the number of bodily injury accidents quickly recovered to stabilize at around 180,000 a year from 2021, sustaining a steady demand for repairs. Finally, regional disparities remain strong: Île-de-France dominates with over 360,000 units in value, followed by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Hauts-de-France, confirming the concentration of activity in certain economic basins.

The French bodywork market thus appears to be in a state of flux, stimulated by the growth in the number of vehicles on the road, changes in mobility and the number of accidents, but also faced with the challenges of international competitiveness and regional concentration. The aim of this study is to analyze the sector's dynamics, players and prospects, against a backdrop of profound transformation in the automotive sector.