France 1982: Renault 9 shakes models ranking, market passes 2 million mark

Renault 9

19/09/2026 update: Now with Top 55 All brands and Top 200 All models.

We go through another trip to memory lane today, studying French new car sales in 1982. You can also check the Full Year 1981 article which has been updated as well. Consult over 130 years of French Historical Data here

For the first time in French history, more than 2 million new cars are registered in a single year, up 12.1% year-on-year to 2,056,490 units. Renault (+12.9%) advances to 39.1% share, a near-record level. It even widens the gap with the #2 Peugeot (+2%) passing Citroen (-4.3%). Ford (+31.1%) spectacularly reaches the 4th spot overall, relegating Volkswagen (-1.2%) to #6. Meanwhile Talbot (+28.6%) enjoys a second win and is up one spot on 1981 to re-enter the Top 5.

Citroen Visa

9 of the next 10 carmakers grow even faster than the market, all foreigners. In fact, foreign manufacturers see their overall sales jump 21.9% year-on-year to 30.6% share vs. 28.1% in 1981. Opel (+51.6%) is the most dynamic, helped by the arrival of the new Corsa. Austin (+47.1%) is up to #11, with the new Metro gearing up, and BMW (+36.5%) is up one spot on last year to a record #9. Fiat (+29.5%), Toyota (+28.6%), Datsun (+28.2%), Alfa Romeo (+27.4%), Mazda (+22.4%), Lada (+22.2%) and Audi (+17%) all shine below.

Peugeot 505

The Renault 5 (-4.1%) is the best-selling car at home for the 9th year in a row but sees its share thaw from 15.5% to 13.2%. The main event in 1982 is the thundering arrival of the Renault 9 at #2 for its first full year in market with an outstanding 9.7% share, figures that would end up being its best ever year. 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% in November. As a result the Renault 18 (-11.5%) drops to #3, making the French podium 100% Renault for what is believed to be the first time ever.

The Ford Escort is the best-selling foreign model in France in 1982.

The Talbot Samba lands at #14 for its first full year of sales.

Below the Peugeot 305 (+8%), the Citroen Visa (+14.9%) is boosted by its facelift to remain in 5th place with a record 4.6% share. The Ford Escort (+33.6%) surges ahead to become the second foreign model to break into the French Top 10 at a record 8th place. It dislodges the VW Golf (-15.8%) down three ranks to #12, with the Ford Fiesta (+39.5%) up four spots to rank #3 foreigner.  Another strong homegrown performer is the Peugeot 505 (+40.5%) up five spots to #11. Notice also the Talbot Samba (+670.9%) ending its first full year in market at a respectable 14th place, the Fiat Panda (+50.3%) knocking at the Top 20’s door, and three newcomers in the Top 40: the Lada 2105 (#34), Ford Sierra (#35) and Citroen BX (#39).

Full Year 1982 Top 55 All brands and Top 200 All models vs. Full Year 1981 figures, and every Monthly French models Top 10 Ranking below.