The vtc market - France

The global VTC (Voiture de Transport avec Chauffeur) market, which experienced significant growth before the COVID-19 crisis, was impacted by the pandemic, leading to a downturn in household consumption of cab and VTC services in 2020. Despite this setback, the market continued to evolve, with a notable increase of over 100,000 TPPP vehicles—a 22% rise. The competitive landscape has seen increased rivalry not only between VTC services and traditional cabs but also within VTC platforms themselves and alternative transport modes. In Île-de-France, which represents the majority market share within France, the region accounted for 80% of total VTC activity in 2021, indicating a slight decrease from previous years as VTC services expand to other major French metropolises. The VTC sector continued to attract a predominantly young and affluent customer base and adapted to trends such as greener modes of transport. In terms of pricing, the minimum price for a VTC journey in 2023 rose to €7.65, with a typical journey costing €20, while platform commissions for drivers ranged from 15% to 25%. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis and regulatory changes, the VTC market is poised for future growth, particularly in regions outside Île-de-France and within the younger demographic.

Analyzing the Dynamics of Demand in the French VTC Market

In recent years, the French Voiture de Transport avec Chauffeur (VTC) market has experienced a surge in growth, indicative of the enhanced preference for private, app-based transportation services among locals, especially the youth and the more affluent. The appeal of services like Uber, Bolt, Heetch, and Kapten is conspicuous among the 25-34 age group, which utilizes these services at roughly two and a half times the rate of the general population. Notably, persons belonging to higher socio-professional categories exhibit about 40% more usage than their peers. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the VTC market was flourishing with a market value reaching up to approximately between 750 and 850 million euros. However, the pandemic induced a significant downturn in 2020, with household consumption of cab and VTC services falling by 17%. Despite this, a recovery is observable in 2021, though the figures still remain below the pre-crisis level by about 2%.

The younger demographic is showing a marked preference for VTC services, with 18-24-year-olds exhibiting a tendency to use such services more frequently than older groups. For instance, 28% of individuals aged 18-24 used Uber’s services in the last three months compared to 20% for those aged 25-34.

The global VTC market has been growing at a notable rate, reaching a valuation of around 150 to 160 billion dollars in 2021 with expectations of continued growth. This upward trend reflects a keen global interest in app-based transportation, which France mirrors. However, the market is not just expanding, it's also evolving, seeing increased competition between the various VTC companies, and between VTC services and traditional cabs. This competition is fostering innovations and improvements across the board, leading to upscaling of services, price reductions, and technological advancements.

One crucial aspect influencing the purchasing decisions in the VTC sector is price sensitivity. The average cost of a VTC trip rings in at about 20 euros, somewhat lower than the average cab fare of 22 euros. Most of this cost – approximately 80% – is directed to the driver. However, different platforms have varied commission structures, with Uber taking around 25%, and other competitors like Heetch taking only about 15%. Moreover, seasonality affects the demand for VTC services, with the summer months, particularly July, often seeing less activity. 

Leading Contenders in the VTC Landscape: A Synopsis of Market Giants

The ride-hailing sector, characterized by intense competition and service diversity, is home to several key players who have carved out substantial niches for themselves in the market. Below is an overview of the main companies that have made significant strides in the Voiture de Transport avec Chauffeur (VTC) arena.

• Uber: The Global Ride-Hail Juggernaut Uber, the world’s preeminent VTC service provider, offers a broad spectrum of vehicle choices to cater to varied customer needs. From luxury options like UberBERLINE to budget-friendly UberX and environmentally conscious offerings such as UberGREEN, Uber's extensive portfolio is designed to appeal to a wide audience. The company has even expanded its reach with services like UberEATS, underscoring its ambition to dominate not just ride-sharing but other commercial vertices as well.
• FreeNow (formerly Kapten): The European Challenger Initially established as Chauffeur Privé and later rebranded to Kapten, FreeNow is the brainchild of a strategic move by Daimler to take on its American competitor in the European landscape. This platform has a presence in significant French regions and is known for its customer-centric features like advance bookings, a loyalty program, and a suite of vehicle options including sedans and vans that highlight its user-friendly approach.
• Heetch: The Youth-Favored Night Rider Born in 2013, Heetch initially targeted a younger demographic with a model that diverged from traditional VTC services by employing non-professional drivers. Despite legislative hurdles in 2017 that forced a pivot in its business model, Heetch has made a commendable comeback and retains its popularity among young people and students, offering the additional convenience of booking cabs through its platform.
• LeCab: The Uniformed Fleet Innovator LeCab has distinguished itself with a standardized fleet consisting primarily of black Peugeot 508s and Mercedes Vianos, ensuring a consistent service experience. Apart from connecting passengers with drivers, LeCab extends a multitude of supplementary services, including driver training, vehicle rentals, and even a fixed rate for advance bookings. Its acquisition by SnapCar in 2019 marks a strategic consolidation in the sector.
• Bolt, Allocab, and Marcel: While not detailed as extensively as their counterparts, these services also contribute to the diversity and competitive dynamics within the French VTC market. 

Informations

• Nombre de pages : 30 pages
• Format : Version digitale et PDF
• Dernière mise à jour : 19/11/2021

Sommaire et extraits

Liste des graphiques

• Taille du marché du VTC en valeur et prévisions
• Evolution du chiffre d'affaires des transports de voyageurs par taxis
• Utilisation des services VTC d'Uber en fonction de la tranche d'âge
• Dernière utilisation d'Uber VTC pour les 18-34 ans
• Evolution de la consommation des ménages en taxi et VTC
• Evolution de l'inflation
• Evolution du pouvoir d'achat des français
• Les entreprises de VTC préférées des Français
• Les services de VTC préférés des Français en fonction du genre
• Comparaison du niveau d'appréciation de 4 entreprises de VTC en fonction de la catégorie d'âge
• Indice mensuel de chiffre d'affaires des services de VTC et de taxi
• Arrivées annuelle des touristes étrangers
• Part des taxis et des VTC sur l'ensemble des véhicules de transport public particulier de personnes
• Evolution du nombre de VTC inscrits au registre national
• Evolution du poids de l'Ile de France dans le nombre total de VTC
• Répartition géographique des Taxis et des VTC
• Répartition des usagers de VTC selon la fréquence d'usage des transports en commun avant et après l'adoption des VTC
• Part des franciliens ayant remplacé l'usage des taxis et VTC par la trottinette électrique (Lime)
• Part du prix d'une course percçue selon les acteurs
• Proportion des Français intéressés par une offre de VTC utilisant uniquement des véhicules électriques ou hybrides
• Evolution du chiffre d'affaires des services de transports de voyageurs par taxis
• Evolution de l'utilisation quotidienne de différents mode de transport pendant les deux années ayant suivi le début de la crise sanitaire
• Raisons pour lesquelles les femmes utilisent un service VTC pour rentrer la nuit en Ile-de-France
• Modes de transport utilisés par les Franciliennes pour rentrer la nuit
• Probabilité d'opter pour un taxi partagé, s'il était disponible là où vous vivez et moins cher que de réserver un taxi privé ?
• Image des taxis auprès des Français suite à la grève générale des taxis du 25 juin 2018
• Moyen de transport choisi après la grève du 25 juin
• Justification de la grève des taxis du 25 juin
• Avis des Français concernant le traitement des chauffeurs Uber
• Dernière utilisation d'Uber VTC et de taxis