Renault 5 sales overtake Tesla Model Y in France

The French auto market has been facing some turbulence lately, mirroring the political turmoil that ended up with a collapse of the government. However, the electric vehicle segment seems to be thriving. In November alone, EVs accounted for over 15% of all new car sales in France. And leading the charts is the Renault 5 E-Tech, a retro-styled hatch that has taken the French market by storm.

In its first full month of sales, the Renault 5 E-Tech surpassed all expectations, outselling even the Tesla Model Y, the world's best-selling car. Sure, the French EV market isn't that big - Renault sold 3,316 units of the R5 E-Tech in November, compared to 3,175 units for the Model Y. Tesla sells on average 30,000 units of Model Y every month across Europe, another 50,000 units in China, with the US market responsible for just over 30,000 units every month.

The R5's nostalgic design has clearly resonated with French buyers. Its compact size makes the R5 perfect for city driving, and the competitive pricing turned it into interesting option for buyers on a tighter budget.

Renault 5 E-Tech's sales results are a sign of a slow, but steady shift in the automotive landscape. As EV adoption continues to rise, traditional automakers like Renault show that they can compete with established EV manufacturers like Tesla. Sure, some brands fail and stumble - Volkswagen is probably the best example of what happens when the C-suite believes branding is everything. But the overall picture is that of changing market dynamics, with customers looking for decent alternatives.

The Renault 5 E-Tech is a compact electric hatchback with a driving range of up to 249 miles on a single charge. It is powered by a 134-horsepower electric motor that delivers peppy acceleration and a top speed of 84 mph. The car's starting price is around $27,700 for the base trim.

Via