MG
Peugeot pushed cars into the fleet market while China's MG also added volume in the rental car sector. BYD sales were boosted by a new plug-in hybrid.
MG, one of Europe's fastest-growing brands, aims to align its marketing across the region.
Overall March sales in France were down 15 percent, tying it with the Netherlands for the worst performance during the month among countries in Europe.
MG said its CyberX SUV will be pitched as a young customer’s “first toy for urban adventures.”
A first European factory site could be announced by this summer, sources said. Capacity could be 100,000 annually, with a second factory to come later.
The MG S5 will replace the smaller ZS in the Chinese brand's lineup when it launches in Europe this spring. It rides on the same platform as the MG4 compact hatchback.
The average price reduction required for customers to consider switching to a Chinese automaker is 27 percent, a new study found.
Combined registrations for MG, Smart, Polestar, Great Wall Motors and BYD fell by 24 percent last year. The decline was due to high prices and low brand recognition.
China's worldwide EV exports fell 19 percent in November from a year earlier, according to Chinese customs data, including a 23 percent drop to the EU.
MG, BYD and VW's Cupra say they will not increase prices on EVs they export to Europe from China even after EU countries approved punitive tariffs.