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Europe 1992: New gen VW Golf and Opel Astra on top

January 23rd, 1993 Leave a comment Go to comments

VW Golf

* See the Top 40 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to STAC *

The traditional VW Golf / Opel Kadett battle for the European best-seller title takes a completely different direction in 1992. To improve its chances of putting its star model in the top spot, Opel ditches the Kadett nameplate and launches a totally new model, the Opel Astra, to coincide with the launch of the Golf 3.

Opel Astra

And it works, at least at the start. The Astra starts better than the Golf 3 and even takes the leadership in Germany for a couple of months. In Europe, Golf 3 and Astra figures are neck-to-neck throughout the year but the final ranking, adding 2nd gen sales to the Golf figure, sees the VW keep the top spot with 783,839 sales and 5.8%, with the Opel Astra #2 at 669,371 sales and 5%. The Golf nameplate therefore celebrates its 10th consecutive year atop European sales.

BMW 3 Series

The Ford Escort (incl. Orion) ranks #3 at 613,265 units followed by the Renault Clio gaining 10% to 596,880 sales and passing the Ford Fiesta, down 2% to 581,605 units. The Fiat Uno is #6 with 512,583 sales followed by the Renault 19 and Opel Vectra. Notice the impressive arrival of the BMW 3 Series at #13 with 283,299 units.

The best-selling Japanese model in Europe in 1992 is the Nissan Sunny at #24 with 138,412 sales, ahead of the Toyota Corolla at #25 and 135,887 units and the Nissan Primera at #26 with 134,902 units.

Previous year: Europe 1991: VW Golf leads, Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio on podium

Next post: Europe 1993-1994: VW Golf stays on top, Opel Astra #2

Full Year 1992 Top 40 Ranking Table below.

Europe Full Year 1992:

Pos Model 1992 % 92/91 1991 % Pos
1 VW Golf 782,800 5.8% 21% 648,200 4.8% 1
2 Opel Astra 674,800 5.0% new n/a n/a  -
3 Renault Clio 593,800 4.4% 10% 542,100 4.0% 3
4 Ford Fiesta 580,300 4.3% -2% 594,900 4.4% 2
5 Fiat Uno 512,800 3.8% -5% 539,900 4.0% 4
6 Ford Escort 499,400 3.7% 9% 457,800 3.4% 7
7 Renault 19 431,900 3.2% 10% 391,600 2.9% 9
8 Opel Vectra 418,400 3.1% -3% 432,300 3.2% 8
9 VW Polo 310,400 2.3% 4% 298,800 2.2% 12
10 Peugeot 205 309,900 2.3% -36% 484,600 3.6% 6
11 VW Passat 296,900 2.2% -16% 351,400 2.6% 10
12 Opel Corsa 295,100 2.2% -13% 337,700 2.5% 11
13 BMW 3 series 283,400 2.1% n/a n/a n/a  -
14 Audi 80 269,900 2.0% 42% 190,500 1.4% 19
15 Citroen ZX 269,900 2.0% n/a n/a n/a  -
16 Peugeot 405 255,800 1.9% 0% 256,600 1.9% 14
17 Peugeot 106 244,100 1.8% n/a n/a n/a  -
18 Fiat Panda 242,800 1.8% -5% 254,900 1.9% 16
19 Citroen AX 240,600 1.8% -6% 255,700 1.9% 15
20 Ford Sierra 216,600 1.6% -20% 269,900 2.0% 13

Europe 1992 17 countries (Source: L’Argus):

Pos Model 1992
1 VW Golf 783,839
2 Opel Astra 669,371
3 Ford Escort 613,265
4 Renault Clio 596,880
5 Ford Fiesta 581,605
6 Fiat Uno 512,583
7 Renault 19 428,681
8 Opel Vectra 413,922
9 VW Polo 309,642
10 Peugeot 205 302,845
11 VW Passat 301,169
12 Opel Corsa 300,305
13 BMW 3 Series 283,299
14 Citroen ZX 271,035
15 Audi 80/90 268,918
16 Peugeot 405 259,158
17 Peugeot 106 249,427
18 Fiat Panda 237,176
19 Citroen AX 235,645
20 Ford Sierra 217,628
21 Mercedes 200/300 209,277
22 Fiat Tipo 206,499
23 Rover 200/400 154,585
24 Nissan Sunny 138,412
25 Toyota Corolla 135,887
26 Nissan Primera 134,902
27 BMW 5 Series 130,202
28 Seat Ibiza 129,312
29 Seat Toledo 127,749
30 Fiat Tempra 125,306
31 Lancia Y10 119,054
32 Audi 100 118,460
33 Mazda 323 111,789
34 Opel Omega 110,452
35 Honda Civic 99,717
36 Nissan Micra 96,328
37 Mazda 626 86,198
38 Volvo 440/460 84,293
39 Toyota Carina 83,287
40 Rover 100 82,518
Categories: Europe
  1. STAC
    January 17th, 2012 at 02:09 | #1
    Reply | Quote

    If the figures for Golf II and III are separed, therefore the Astra is No. 1 in my opinion!

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