France 1982: New Renault 9 shakes models ranking

Renault 9

* See the Top 25 best-selling models by clicking on ‘Read more’ at end of post! *

For the first time French consumers have bought over 2 million new cars this year, at 2,060,000 units. The Renault 5 is the best-selling car in the country for the 9th year in a row with 265,748 sales and 12.9% share, down 6% year-on-year.

The main event in 1982 in France is the thundering arrival of the Renault 9 at #2 for its first year in market with an outstanding 189,525 sales and 9.2% share, figures that would end up being its best ever. The Renault 9 managed to rank #2 every single month of the year, broke the 10% share barrier for 3 months to peak at 10.9% share in November!

Citroen Visa

The Renault 18 drops down to #3 at 6.9% share, making the French podium 100% Renault for the first time in at least 40 years, and possibly ever. In 4th place the Peugeot 305 rebounds above 100,000 sales at 105,063 up 5% for a 5.1% market share. Boosted by its facelift this year, the Citroen Visa is up 17% to 96,823 sales and 4.7% share which will stay its best-ever share.

Peugeot 505

The Ford Escort is the best-selling foreign model this year at #9 with 57,727 sales, up an impressive 31%. Up 37% on 1981, the Peugeot 505 spends its only year in the Top 10 at an excellent 10th place with 57,681 sales and 2.8% share. The Ford Fiesta is up 59% and 4 spots to #12 and the Talbot Samba lands directly in 15th position for its first year of sales.

Previous year: see the 1981 France Top 20 best-selling models here.

Full Year 1982 Top 25 and every Monthly French models Top 10 Ranking Tables below.