French buy more and more used cars
- The French bought 7.3 million cars in 2012, including 1.9 million new cars and 5.4 million used cars.
- It is interesting to note that the “used cars/new cars” purchase ratio has increased significantly between 2009 and 2011 and accelerated in 2012 (2.3 cars for a new car in 2009, 2.5 in 2011 and 2.8 in 2012. However this proportion had already increased significantly between 2000 and 2003 (from 2.1 to 2.6). In the 90s, the proportion was 2 used cars for a new car.
- The stabilization of the "used car sales / new car sales" ratio between 2004 and 2008 can easily be explained by the arrival on the French market of low cost cars (Dacia) which took over used cars. The fall in the ratio in 2009 is explained by the scrapping bonus which has depressed the second hand market momentarily.
- Given the uncertainty of economy and new consumption modes, the ratio "used car sales / new car sales" will likely continue to grow, gradually rising to “3 to 1”.
