Motor fuel sales in France continue to drop

March 13, 2009
Despite low prices at the pump, motor fuel sales in France fell by 7.6% in February compared with the same period last year, noted the oil companies' trade group UFIP.

Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent

PARIS, Mar. 13 -- Despite low prices at the pump, motor fuel sales in France fell by 7.6% in February compared with the same period last year, noted the oil companies' trade group Union Francaise des Industries Petrolieres (UFIP).

Diesel oil demand, which accounts for the majority of sales, fell by 6.2%, while gasoline sales dropped by 12.4%.

Diesel oil was selling in February at €0.84/l. compared with €1.45/l. on May 30, 2008.

"The demand-fall trend seems to be becoming more marked," commented UFIP Pres. Jean-Louis Schilansky.

Schilansky had commissioned a poll covering the last fortnight in January on this new motorists' behavior. It seemed to confirm his analysis, as only 18% of car owners said they intend to use their vehicles more frequently, while half those polled said they would be even more careful than in 2008 over their motor fuels budget.