skip to Main Content

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.

This content is for Platinum members only.
Log In Register
Back To Top