Europe 1991: VW Golf leads, Ford Fiesta & Renault Clio on podium

Ford Fiesta

1991 is the year of the change-over for the VW Golf: the 2nd generation, originally launched in 1983, is replaced by a 3rd one in October. As a result, the overall sales figure is lower this year for the Golf at 648,200 units and 4.8% share. The rest of the podium is completely new: revamped in 1989, the Ford Fiesta continues to progress and gains 2 spots to land in 2nd position this year with 594,200 sales and 4.4%.

Renault Clio

The Renault Clio, launched in May 1990, manages to make its way onto the podium for its first full year of sales with 542,100 units changing hands and 4% market share. It was even the best selling car in Europe in September 1991 when the Golf was in the midst of its generation change-over (see note on this below the fold).

In 4th position, the Fiat Uno drops one place at 4% share. The Opel Kadett, at the end of its career with the new Opel Astra released at the end of year, is down 3 spots in 5th with 487,000 sales and 3.6%, just above the Peugeot 205. The Ford Escort, Opel Vectra, Renault 19 and VW Passat complete the Top 10. Fiat places 3 models in the Top 20 with the Panda and #16 and the Tipo at #17.

Full Top 20 Ranking Table below.