UK 1968-1971: Austin Morris 1100/1300 reclaims pole position

1968 Austin Morris 1100

* See the Top 10 best-selling models for each year by clicking on the title! *

The UK new car market hits a bump in the road over the period with sales stable in 1968 to 1,103,862 but down 13% in 1969 to 965,410. It rises back strongly afterwards though, up 12% in 1970 to 1,076,865 and up a further 19% in 1971 to 1,285,661. The most striking event in the UK car landscape in those years is the imports market share going from 8.3% in 1968 to 19.3% in 1971. This share would continue to increase greatly over the next years.

Model-wise, after one year of Ford Cortina interruption, the Austin Morris 1100/1300 is back on top of UK car sales in 1968 with 151,146 units and 13.7% share, up 15%. It stays in pole position for 3 more years up to 1971, stabilising from 1969 to 133,455 sales, 132,965 in 1970 and 133,527 in 1971.

Ford Escort MkI

The Ford Cortina is extremely regular and stays #2 up to 1970, its best two years being 1968 at 137,636 units and 12.5% and 1970 at 123,256 sales and 11.4%. The third place is held by the Vauxhall Viva in 1968 at 9.2% share, the newly launched Ford Escort in 1969 (8.8%) and 1970 (8.9%) while in 1971 the BMC Mini, back up 26% year-on-year to 103,180 units and 8% share to deliver its first year above 100,000 units since 1965, jumps up to second place.

Full Year 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 Top 10 Ranking Tables below.