H1 2025 sales review: the Citroën Berlingo's powerful and reassuring comeback

With the first half of 2025 now behind us, it is traditionally a time for reviewing sales figures. For a brand like Citroën, analyzing the performance of each model is crucial for evaluating product and commercial strategies. In this series of analyses, we turn our attention today to an iconic vehicle that is particularly important for the brand's sales volumes: the Citroën Berlingo. After a period of being available exclusively as a 100% electric model, the return of internal combustion engines, especially diesel, has reshuffled the deck. How is the chevron-branded Leisure Activity Vehicle (LAV) performing in the French and European markets? The answer lies in the numbers, and it is a particularly insightful one.

Performance in France: defying a declining market with impressive growth

At first glance, the market context does not appear favorable. The French market for LAVs experienced a significant decline of 24.4% in the first half of 2025, with only 13,245 registrations. This segment now accounts for just 1.57% of the overall automotive market in France. However, in this challenging environment, the Citroën Berlingo has delivered a remarkable performance. With 1,285 units sold, it has recorded spectacular growth of 119%. This momentum allows it to secure the second spot on the podium with a 9.71% segment share, just behind its historic rival, the Renault Kangoo, which itself suffered a sharp drop of 38.7% (1,657 units).

Beyond its raw performance, it is the strategic importance of the Berlingo for Citroën that must be highlighted. Its sales represent 2.09% of the brand's total registrations. This figure may seem modest, but it is significantly higher than the weight this type of vehicle carries for its competitors. For comparison, the Volkswagen Caddy accounts for only 0.44% of its brand's sales, the Ford Tourneo Courier 1.22%, and the now electric-only Peugeot Rifter, a very low 0.21%. The Berlingo is therefore, much more than its rivals, a key pillar for its manufacturer's volumes and the health of its dealer network. Even more notably, this success is not limited to the thermal versions. The electric ë-Berlingo is the undisputed leader in its category with 324 units, showing a 52.1% increase where all its competitors are regressing. With an electric mix of 25.21% compared to a segment average of just 5.59%, Citroën's LAV demonstrates a perfect alignment with the expectations of a portion of the customer base and is already brilliantly meeting the future requirements of the 2025 CAFE standards.

European dynamics: a confirmed commercial reconquest

The positive trend observed in France is confirmed and amplified when we analyze the situation on a European scale. In the first five months of 2025, 7,996 units of the Citroën Berlingo were registered across the Old Continent. This volume represents an exceptional increase of 122% compared to the same period last year. Its importance to the brand is even more pronounced than in France, as it constitutes 5.13% of Citroën's total sales in Europe. This is an essential contribution that shows the decision to reintroduce thermal engines was anticipated and welcomed by many markets.

Compared to its competition, the Berlingo shows the strongest growth. Although the Volkswagen Caddy remains the volume leader with 17,549 units, its growth is much more measured at +16%. The Ford Tourneo Courier also performs well with 10,042 units (+75%), but it is the Berlingo that displays the most impressive dynamic of reconquest. It has created a significant gap with direct competitors like the Peugeot Rifter (6,049 units, +69%), the Toyota ProAce City (5,315 units, -11%), and especially the Renault Kangoo, which is struggling on the European stage with a 29% decline (5,111 units). This European performance is therefore fundamental, as it proves that the Berlingo is not just a "French affair" but a competitive and popular product throughout Europe.

The conclusion is unavoidable: the Citroën Berlingo has fully benefited from the return of diesel engines to regain its excellent commercial health. The growth figures, both in France and in Europe, are undeniable and reflect a persistent demand for this type of engine in the leisure activity vehicle segment. However, it would be an oversimplification to focus only on this aspect. The electric version, the ë-Berlingo, is particularly well-received, especially in the French market where its high sales mix of 25% is a strong signal. This demonstrates the deep attachment of customers to this model, who are willing to follow it in its energy transition when the product is well-positioned.

This balance is the key to the Berlingo's current and future success. It is an essential contributor to Citroën's overall sales volumes, a role that its direct competitors do not play with the same intensity for their respective brands. As the CAFE standards approach, the Berlingo, with a quarter of its sales in France already being electric, shows it is on the right track to meet the quotas. In this context, a question arises: while all competing brands, which are also liable for heavy fines, continue to offer internal combustion engines to support their sales, why should Citroën deprive itself of an offering that is proving so crucial for its volumes and the vitality of its network? The current strategy appears to be the right one: to meet all demands in order to maintain an essential pillar of its range.