UK 1976: Ford Escort claims pole position, Mini stays on podium
Ford Escort
* See the Top 15 best-selling models by clicking on the title *
The UK new car market is back up 8% year-on-year in 1976 to 1,285,583 registrations. Eight years after its original launch, the Ford Escort is the UK’s best selling model for the first time this year, up 29% to 133,959 sales and 10.4% share. It manages to pass the Ford Cortina, up ‘only’ 18% to 126,238 units and 9.8%. The BMC Mini stays stable in third position with a solid 6.3% share, as do the Morris Marina (#4) and Austin Allegro (#5).
BMC Mini
Vauxhall Chevette
The new Vauxhall Chevette, launched in 1975, is up 9 ranks to land in 6th position for its first full year of sales thanks to 43,827 units sold, above the Ford Capri, back within the top 10 at #7 after one year absence. The Austin Maxi is also back within the country’s 10 best-sellers after missing out in ’75, up 4 ranks to #9.
Full Year 1976 Top 14 Ranking Table: click on ‘Read more’ below the Austin Maxi pic.
Ford Capri
Austin Maxi
UK Full Year 1976:
| Pos | Model | 1976 | % | /75 | 1975 | % | Pos |
| 1 | Ford Escort | 133,959 | 10.4% | 29% | 103,817 | 8.7% | 2 |
| 2 | Ford Cortina | 126,238 | 9.8% | 18% | 106,787 | 8.9% | 1 |
| 3 | BMC Mini | 81,107 | 6.3% | -4% | 84,688 | 7.1% | 3 |
| 4 | Morris Marina | 71,288 | 5.5% | -9% | 78,632 | 6.6% | 4 |
| 5 | Austin Allegro | 55,218 | 4.3% | -13% | 63,339 | 5.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Vauxhall Chevette | 43,827 | 3.4% | 121% | 19,847 | 1.7% | 15 |
| 7 | Ford Capri | 36,098 | 2.8% | 30% | 27,678 | 2.3% | 12 |
| 8 | Vauxhall Viva | 33,901 | 2.6% | -38% | 54,731 | 4.6% | 6 |
| 9 | Austin Maxi | 33,476 | 2.6% | 24% | 26,950 | 2.3% | 13 |
| 10 | Leyland Princess | 31,702 | 2.5% | 9% | 29,067 | 2.4% | 9 |
| 11 | Hillman Avenger | 31,445 | 2.4% | -18% | 38,377 | 3.2% | 7 |
| 12 | Triumph Dolomite | 30,197 | 2.3% | 0% | 30,199 | 2.5% | 8 |
| 13 | Vauxhall Cavalier | 29,762 | 2.3% | new | 373 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 14 | Ford Granada | 28,016 | 2.2% | 39% | 20,116 | 1.7% | 14 |
| Renault 5 | 15,698 | 1.2% | 6% | 14,780 | 1.2% | 20 | |
| Renault 12 | 15,190 | 1.2% | -5% | 15,981 | 1.3% | 18 | |
| Triumph 2000/2500 | 10,083 | 0.8% | -18% | 12,333 | 1.0% | ||
| Renault 16 | 9,818 | 0.8% | -10% | 10,870 | 0.9% | ||
| Toyota Corolla | 9,657 | 0.8% | |||||
| VW Polo | 7,473 | 0.6% | new | 18 | 0.0% | ||
| MGB/MGC/Midget/Sprite | 7,431 | 0.6% | -18% | 9,035 | 0.8% | ||
| Vauxhall VX-Series | 7,099 | 0.6% | |||||
| Rover SD1 | 6,816 | 0.5% | new | 0 | 0.0% | ||
| Triumph Sports cars | 6,804 | 0.5% | 141% | 2,824 | 0.2% | ||
| Renault 4 | 5,554 | 0.4% | -13% | 6,351 | 0.5% | ||
| Toyota 1000 | 5,330 | 0.4% | |||||
| Renault 6 | 4,678 | 0.4% | -20% | 5,874 | 0.5% | ||
| Hillman Imp | 4,223 | 0.3% | -60% | 10,463 | 0.9% | ||
| Rover P6 | 4,035 | 0.3% | -74% | 15,280 | 1.3% | 19 | |
| BMW 3 Series | 3,788 | 0.3% | 86% | 2,038 | 0.2% | ||
| Toyota Celica | 3,423 | 0.3% | |||||
| BMW 5 Series | 2,963 | 0.2% | 29% | 2,301 | 0.2% | ||
| Renault 30 | 2,455 | 0.2% | 480% | 423 | 0.0% | ||
| Triumph Stag | 2,055 | 0.2% | 17% | 1,751 | 0.1% | ||
| Renault 15/17 | 1,958 | 0.2% | -13% | 2,255 | 0.2% | ||
| Range Rover | 1,881 | 0.1% | -14% | 2,186 | 0.2% | ||
| Toyota Carina | 1,631 | 0.1% | |||||
| Renault 20 | 1,499 | 0.1% | |||||
| Toyota Corona | 1,439 | 0.1% | |||||
| BMW 2500-3.3/6 Series | 1,153 | 0.1% | |||||
| Toyota Crown | 458 | 0.0% | |||||
| Wartburg Knight | 338 | 0.0% | |||||
| Toyota Land Cruiser | 156 | 0.0% | |||||
| Toyota Hilux | 143 | 0.0% |
Source: SMMT, Wikipedia, Autocar and manufacturers. Many thanks to Ryan P, Florian and Chris for the data!
How come we don’t see Golf at the 1976 sales list? 1975 made about 19.000 sales in the UK. Maybe the 1976 list just missed it?
Hi Bill,
I wasn’t given the sales figures for the Golf that year unfortunately
M