France 1979: Renault 5, 18 and Peugeot 305 on podium

Renault 5

16/09/2026 update: Now with Top 54 All brands and All models rankings.

1,976,391 new cars found a buyer in France in 1979, which is believed to be a new record. Renault holds a commanding 35% share, distancing Peugeot at 18.1% and Citroen at 16.5%. Talbot comes fourth with over 150,000 sales while Ford is the best-selling foreign carmaker at #5 overall with 4% share. It distances Volkswagen (3.3%), Fiat (2.4%) and Opel (1.8%). Alfa Romeo and Austin round out the Top 10. Notice also Lada at #11, Datsun at #14 and Mazda at #16.

Renault 18

The Renault 5 is the best-selling car in the country for the 6th consecutive year and it holds a 10.8% market share in 1979. Launched in 1978, the Renault 18 is an instant hit with French customers: it ranks second as early as for its first full year of sales in 1979 with a robust 7.7% market share.

Peugeot 305

The Peugeot 305 rounds up the podium with 6.8% of the market, ahead of the Peugeot 104 at 5%, the Renault 4 at 4.8%, the Renault 14 at 4.7% and the Citroen Visa at 4.6%. Notice the Talbot Horizon at #8 with 4.3% share and the Peugeot 604 at #34 with 0.6%.

Peugeot 604

Among foreign models, the VW Golf is by far the most popular and ranks #15 overall with 2% share, well ahead of the Ford Taunus at #22 and the Alfa Romeo Alfasud at #23. The Fiat Ritmo, Austin Mini and Opel Kadett also make their way into the Top 30.

Full Year 1979 Top 54 All brands and Top 177 All models below.