French new car registrations were down 1.4 percent in December and rose 2.7 percent in 2005, with the Renault brand suffering a 14.7 percent December fall and 4.5 percent full-year decline, data showed on Monday.
The CCFA French carmakers association said that on an equal working day basis, December sales were up 3.1 percent and the full-year figure was also up 3.1 percent.
CCFA said 2005 had overall been a satisfactory year but noted increased price competition in the second half after a favourable first half.
PSA Peugeot Citroen had a 1.1 percent decline in December and a 2.2 percent rise in 2005 boosted by a 5.7 percent increase in sales of the Citroen brand.
Renault's Japanese subsidiary Nissan had 8.6 percent higher sales in 2005.
The biggest percentage rise in December was for the Suzuki brand, up 59.7 percent, while the largest fall was for Seat which was down 17.8 percent.