The run on small models was almost general

"The French reacted with extreme behaviors," judge Thierry Lespiaucq, General Manager of Volkswagen France. In rollup to end of may, for a market of private vehicles increased by 5.2, economic range (107, C1, Fiat 500, etc.) had jumped 64.9 (down 49.4 variation late July). "Increases were concerned the citadines but also the multi-purpose and compact at the expense of the other models," summarizes Lawrence Helman Cabinet BLH Consultants specialized in automotive business development. Yet this fire of straw was mitigated by bottlenecks of production for some the most popular vehicles.

The run on small models was almost general. At Opel, Christophe Duchatelle, marketing director, noted a smaller transfer of 7 to 10 of the intermediate models to the Agila and Corsa, and bonussées. At Ford, the range Fiesta, yet at the end of life but eligible to an average bonus of 420 euros, saw its sales increase by 30.

Power down

Without descending from one model to another, many customers simply sought a smaller engine, giving thus a premium to the more recent versions since net CO2 emissions is now "structuring": vehicles emitting less than 130 grams of CO2, thus with bonus, increased from 30 of total sales in France end 2007 to 46 end August. For example, the Corsa 1.3 CDTI, which the two engines were sold in the same proportions in 2007 has seen, in 2008, the smallest (75 CV bonussée to 700 euros) take 75 of the mix.

Thierry Lespiaucq, "the reduction of engine power is a heavy tendency". For Peugeot, the 207 1.4 HDI 70 CV Urban (117 g of CO2) made Flores ( 20 in eight months). At Renault, in the Laguna family, "there was a shift in the 2 l engine to the 1.5 l", confirmed Patrick Vincent, responsible environmental products of the manufacturer. "Buyers are ready to compromise on the powers." As 60 of the vehicles of this level roll for companies, which suffer the cumulative effect of the tax on company cars. "To add the radars, which do not use all the power of a 2 l."

Next lower ambitions of buyers, the second effect of the unemployed has been a rush on the diesel. "We had never seen such changes", says Christophe Duchatelle at Opel: "the diesel represented 73 of our sales in 2007 with minute variations of 1 to 2 depending on the month." Between January and June, they went to 80, with however a reflux of 3-4 from June due to gas prices.

Overall, in Renault, the share of diesel rose from 71 to 82 between 2007 and the first half of 2008, so point the constructor under-capacity of diesel engines was early 2008. Purchasers of gasoline versions are descended to the smallest possible engines, including the 1.2 l. "power fans deferred on diesel, technologically only competitive in the higher segments", said Patrick Vincent. At Ford, the Focus was fly its two engines entry-level diesel (90-110 CV) emitting less than 120 g/km of CO2. On the side of Volkswagen, Polo diesel, only to offer a bonus to 700 euros, verge today 90 of the sales of the model against barely 70 a year ago.

4 4-4 2

Of course, the high has suffered. "An indecent assault to the purchase of the big 4 4 (luxury SUV), BMW 5, Opel Antara, or VW Touareg is installed", think a sector specialist. "There is a trauma on luxury cars and it is urgent that the Government decides on the annualization of the malus," launches Thierry Lespiaucq, Volkswagen. In contrast, side 4 4, there is a request to the two-wheel drive. "Customers want the appearance of the 4 4 that can say that this is not a.." VW is going in December a 4 2 Tiguan (for down a malus of 700 euros to 200 euros), "which was unimaginable only a year ago".

Another phenomenon verified by Christophe Duchatelle at Opel, "the commercial support of vehicle malussé to maintain its price is not enough to support its sales." "Customers are afraid of new tax developments."