France 1981: Renault 5 and 18 strong, Peugeot 104 on podium

Renault 5

* See the Top 20 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The French car market is down 2% in 1981 at 1,834,322 registrations and the Renault 5 delivers its second best year, down only 6% on an exceptional figure in 1980 at 282,486 sales and 15.4% share. In 2nd place, the Renault 18 reaches its best-ever market share at 8.6% thanks to 157,752 units sold, stable on 1980.

Renault 18

Helped by its recent facelift, the Peugeot 104 passes its big sister the 305 to climb on the third step of the podium with 100,888 sales (+6%) and 5.5% share, compared to 97,219 (-16%) and 5.3% for the 305. Good progression of the Citroen Visa, up 3 spots and 26% to #5 at 82,544 units or 4.5% of the French market. The Citroen GSA reversely is down 16% to #6. Similarly the Renault 14 is down 24% to #7 and the Renault 4 down 22% to #8.

Peugeot 104

Foreign models have a very good year: the VW Golf is up 29% and breaks into the year-end Top 10 at #9 with 60,533 sales (3.3%), the Ford Escort is up a massive 57% and 5 spots to #12 at 44.024 units and the Ford Fiesta is up 4% to stay #16 with 31,183 sales. The Opel Kadett and Fiat Ritmo break into the Top 20 this year.

Citroen 2CV

Notice also the Citroen 2CV back in the Top 10 at #10 (-2%), the big Renault 20 (#11), Peugeot 505 (#13) and Citroen CX (#14) all within the Top 15, the Renault Fuego down 30% to #17 and the Talbot Solara up one spot to #18.

Previous year: France 1980: Renault 5 hits highest share at 16%.

Next year: France 1982: New Renault 9 shakes models ranking

Full Year 1981 Top 20 Ranking Table below.