France 1957-1960: Renault Dauphine reigns
Renault Dauphine
* See the Top 5 most produced models by clicking on the title! *
Launched in 1956, the Renault Dauphine is an instant hit and becomes the best-selling car in France as early as for its first full year of sales in 1957. Production figures are immediately very high: 280,000 units in 1958, 395,000 in 1959 (a record at the time) and 382,000 in 1960.
Peugeot 403
The Peugeot 403 is also a real success over the period, peaking at 182,000 units in 1958. Following up on its title of best-seller in 1956, the Simca Aronde stays on the podium over the period, peaking at #2 and 205,000 units in 1959.
Citroen 2CV
This is also the time the Citroen 2CV became a (sort of) blockbuster, more than 10 years after its original launch: from #4 at 125,000 units produced in 1958, it went up to #3 both in 1959 with 146,000 units and in 1960 at 152,000. Notice the Citroen DS/ID at #5 in 1960 with 78,000 units.
Full 1958, 1959 and 1960 Top 5 Ranking Tables below.
France 1958 – Production:
| Pos | Model | Production | % |
| 1 | Renault Dauphine | 280,000 | 30.9% |
| 2 | Peugeot 403 | 182,000 | 20.1% |
| 3 | Simca Aronde | 126,000 | 13.9% |
| 4 | Citroen 2CV | 125,000 | 13.8% |
| 5 | Renault 4CV | 73,000 | 8.1% |
France 1959 – Production:
| Pos | Model | Production | % |
| 1 | Renault Dauphine | 395,000 | 38.3% |
| 2 | Simca Aronde | 205,000 | 19.9% |
| 3 | Citroen 2CV | 146,000 | 14.2% |
| 4 | Peugeot 403 | 135,000 | 13.1% |
| 5 | Citroen DS/ID | 65,000 | 6.3% |
France 1960 – Production:
| Pos | Model | Production | % |
| 1 | Renault Dauphine | 382,000 | 36.1% |
| 2 | Simca Aronde | 161,000 | 15.2% |
| 3 | Citroen 2CV | 152,000 | 14.4% |
| 4 | Peugeot 403 | 99,000 | 9.4% |
| 5 | Citroen DS/ID | 78,000 | 7.4% |
France 1961 – Production:
| Pos | Model | Production | % |
| 1 | Renault Dauphine | 267,000 | 27.4% |
| 2 | Citroen 2CV | 158,000 | 16.2% |
| 3 | Simca Aronde | 153,000 | 15.7% |
| 4 | Peugeot 404 | 115,000 | 11.8% |
| 5 | Peugeot 403 | 78,000 | 8.0% |
| Renault 4L | 20,000 | 2.1% |
Source: L’Auto Journal
