French market
The car dealership market in France
The car dealership market encompasses all players who sell new or used vehicles, provide after-sales services (maintenance, repairs), and offer financing solutions such as long-term leasing (LLD) or leasing with an option to purchase (LOA). These dealers operate as official intermediaries for automakers, but their role is tending to evolve towards broader functions, integrating digitalization, consulting and mobility management.
- Study last updated
- Price
- €99 excl. VAT
- Written by industry experts
- Data unavailable to general-purpose AI
- Press sources
Intelligent search
Sectoria
Explore the Businesscoot corpus to take your study further.
The Businesscoot team
A question about this study?Market overview
Identify industry dynamics, opportunities and market participants to inform your project.
- Understand the market scope
- Identify demand drivers
- Understand market participants and their challenges
The car dealership market encompasses all players who sell new or used vehicles, provide after-sales services (maintenance, repairs), and offer financing solutions such as long-term leasing (LLD) or leasing with an option to purchase (LOA). These dealers operate as official intermediaries for automakers, but their role is tending to evolve towards broader functions, integrating digitalization, consulting and mobility management.
Between 2019 and 2024, the global automotive sector experienced high volatility, marked by a sharp drop in sales in 2020 due to the health crisis, followed by a gradual but uneven recovery. While global sales reached 82 million units in 2024, exceeding pre-COVID levels, France saw a slower return to normal, with 1.72 million passenger cars sold in 2024, still below 2019 volumes.
This recovery remains marked by a profound transformation in consumer buying habits and expectations. The energy transition, in particular, is reshaping the market structure: by 2024, hybrid powertrains will dominate the new vehicle market with 42.8% share, while electric vehicles will grow to 16.9%, despite persistent obstacles related to cost, range and recharging infrastructure. At the same time, diesel continues to plummet, accounting for just 7.3% of the market.
Sales channels are also changing. While physical dealerships remain in the majority (52% of sales), online platforms (38%) and classified ads (21%) are gaining ground, especially among the younger generation. This shift towards digital technology is accompanied by a boom in leasing, particularly in the business segment, due to its flexibility and budget control.
Last but not least, the used car market is taking center stage, accounting for 75.8% of passenger car sales in 2024. Buyers give priority to price (77% of purchase criteria) and are massively oriented towards second-hand vehicles, most often via non-professional sellers (64% of transactions), to the detriment of dealerships, considered more expensive despite the associated warranties and services.
Against this backdrop, the role of dealers is set to evolve in the face of more cautious consumers, tighter regulatory constraints, and increased competition from digital platforms. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed analysis of the structure, dynamics and future prospects of the car dealership market in France.
Study contents
Chapters connecting customer needs, advisory services and the economics of industry professionals.
- Understand customers and uses
- Connect products, businesses and distribution channels
- Compare market participants and their models
Market overview
Demand analysis
Market structure
Offer analysis
Regulations
Positioning the players
Our expertise
Sources to support your analysis
Base your analysis on identified sources, with clear dates and definitions for each figure.
- Understand the scope of the data
- Find the cited publications
- Compare perspectives on the market
Produced by experts — Analysis backed by 35 years of experience in professional information. Our experts select sources, cross-check data and explain the issues shaping your market.
Beyond AI — Professional sources and expert analysis that go beyond ChatGPT or Claude answers based solely on the public web.
IndexPresse press database — Professional press articles covering market news, business strategies and industry developments. All articles are .
Open-access databases — Freely accessible data and publications to enrich the analysis and cross-check the information available on each market.
Official statistics databases — Economic and demographic indicators published by statistical agencies to measure trends and compare markets.
Specialist industry databases — Specialist data and reports to deepen your understanding of the players, segments and dynamics of each industry.
Trusted by professionals
Professionals share their experience of the clarity and usefulness of our studies and the Businesscoot service.
- Clear, structured analysis
- Insights for business projects
- Responsive customer service
As a business valuation expert, I need reliable strategic analysis of potential targets in their industries. For several years, I have relied on Businesscoot's industry analysis, where expertise and relevant data are essential.
David Jeanne
Managing director •
I am very satisfied with Businesscoot's market studies. The information is clear and well structured, making it easy to understand an industry's trends and key figures. Their catalogue is extensive and varied, and customer service is responsive. I recommend Businesscoot for reliable, accessible analysis.
Time Albouy
Business development expert •
Our team of industry experts
Talk to our team to check that the study's subject and scope match your project.
- Check the market scope
- Choose the right study for your project
- Ask a question before ordering
Guilhem Cournut
Food, retail and consumer goods
Denis Monnoyeur
Industry, energy and construction
Marie-Annick Cournède
Health, beauty and personal services
Arthur Lefeuvre
Digital, media and telecommunications
Related studies
Explore complementary studies to broaden your analysis.
- Explore related markets
- Compare market dynamics
- Refine your project
The car dealership market in Italy
Car dealerships are market participants who are engaged in the purchase and resale of automobiles and motor vehicles, as well as their individual components, with the aim of making a profit. Car dealers typically generate income from the following activities:
The used car market in France
A vehicle is considered pre-owned if it has been in use for more than 6 months (from the date of first registration) and has been driven more than 6,000 km.
The used car market in Italy
A vehicle is said to be second-hand if it has been used for more than 6 months (from the date of first registration) and has driven more than 6,000 km.
