Posted on Nov. 29, 2019 at 6:30 am
Would diesel make resistance? After having literally collapsed in recent years, the proportion of sales of new cars running on diesel seems to be stabilizing. From 73% in 2012, she fell to 39% in 2018 and 34% on average over the first ten months of 2019. But these figures hide a sharp drop in September 2018 (from 40% to 36%): in fact, for about a year, the share of diesel is maintained between 33% and 35%.
“Common sense comes back: after the” diesel bashing “all the way, buyers are starting to realize that everything is not to be thrown away. Diesel is cheaper for big wheels. In addition, the communication of the manufacturers on their depollution efforts is beginning to bear fruit, “says the president of the observatory of corporate vehicles, François Piot. In fact, in the fleets of companies where diesel remains largely preponderant, this motorization still represents 71% of the mix.
Jump into buying intentions
According to the latest barometer conducted by the Argus, published in early October, the diesel even knows a clear start in the intentions of purchase. In 2018, only 34% of those surveyed said they preferred a diesel vehicle (42% in 2017). This year, they are 43%. “This resurgence is even stronger among second-hand vehicle buyers “Says the Argus. This trend “finds its explanation in the attractiveness of the price: the general panic has had the effect […] a fall in prices, because of a supply superior to the demand,” the magazine continues. Even owners of gasoline vehicles could return to diesel, we find in the barometer.
It is still unclear whether these intentions will translate into action. “The diesel is permanently weakened,” said Jerome Daumont, the general manager of the Altaïr group with several concessions Renault-Nissan. “Even if it allows a saving on fuel costs (which is reduced with the rebalancing of taxes), buyers are afraid of not being able to enter the cities in the coming years, and fear for the resale of their vehicles He continues.
Increased penalties on gasoline
Others, however, expect a stabilization or even a recovery of sales. Because gasoline vehicles, which consume more and emit more CO2, will be hit hard by the sharp increase in penalties expected early 2020 . “Diesel will also remain essential for builders because it will help them avoid paying fines for their CO2 emissions next year,” says an industry executive. In this regard, the forecast remains a very delicate art.
To note
In Europe, the stabilization of diesel is less true: its share fell again in the third quarter of 2019, to 29.1%, against 34.7% over the same period of 2018.