A Roland Berger study commissioned by PFA, Mobilians, Sesam and Avere highlights the impact of European standards and French taxation on the car sector. The average price of a new car rose 34 % between 2019 and 2025, while sales fell 27 %.
The study, published on 21 July 2026, seeks to refute the idea that the price rise results solely from manufacturers’ margins. The four professional organisations commissioned the firm to analyse the causes of the market contraction.
The average car price rose from 21 811 euros in 2019 to 29 370 euros in 2025. At the same time, new vehicle sales fell from 2.2 million to 1.6 million units.
The authors describe the situation as a “double penalty” for manufacturers and consumers due to combined legislative constraints.
