The French car manufacturers mainly kept their assembly activities in their historical regions of production. Alpine thus present in Normandy, Peugeot in Franche-Comte and Renault in the north. Citroen, DS and Peugeot are also produced in Brittany, while Renault is produced in Brittany Ile de France and has several parts manufacturing plants in France. Obviously, many French models are not “Made in France”. This is all the more true when we look at ranking of the 10 best-selling models in France in 2022.

1 – Peugeot 208 – Trnava (Slovakia)

The city car Peugeot 208 became the star of sales in France in 2022. Unlike its older generations, it is no longer produced in Poissy (78), but in Slovakia. At the factory in Trnava next to the Citroën C3.

2 – Dacia Sandero – Pitesti (Romania)

The second bestseller in this 2022 ranking is the Franco-Romanian Dacia Sandero. It keeps its main production center in its native Romania, at the huge factory in Pitesti.

3 – Renault Clio – Novo Mesto (Slovenia) and Bursa (Turkey)

Gone are the days when the Clio was still produced in Flints alongside the Nissan Micra. The one that closes this trio is collected in Slovenia in Novo Mesto. Like the Twingo. Some of its products also come from Bursa networks in Turkey, being assembled locally by Oyak.

4 – Citroën C3 – Trnava (Slovakia)

The 208’s technical sibling, the Citroën C3, is also produced on the same lines in Trnava, Slovakia. Poissy or even Aulnay-sous-Bois is finished! Trnava is even often called the “killer of Olna”.

5 – Peugeot 2008 – Vigo (Spain)

The Peugeot 3008 flagship crossover is assembled in a large Vigo Port Plant In Spain. That’s where several Stellantis utilities come from. By the way, our established French star Citroën C15 was also assembled there.

6 – Renault Captur – Valladolid (Spain)

Its direct competitor Renault Captur is also assembled in Spain, in the city of Valladolid. The country can indeed count on lower production costs than in France or Germany.

7 – Peugeot 308 – Mulhouse (France)

We came to the first model in this rating that was actually assembled in France. The Peugeot 308 leaves its historic lands of Franche-Comté and gathers in Mulhouse.

8 – Peugeot 3008 – Sochaud (France)

Its derivative 3008 is also assembled in France, and also in Franche-Comté, but in Sochaux. Another big plant for Peugeot!

9 – Dacia Duster – Pitesti (Romania)

The Franco-Romanian Dacia Duster SUV is assembled, like the Sandero, at a giant factory in Pitesti, in its homeland.

10 – Renault Arkana – Busan (South Korea)

Not only is Arkana not going to France, it’s not going to Europe! It rolls off the RMK (Renault Motors Korea, formerly Renault-Samsung Motor) plant in Busan, South Korea.