Germany 1993: BMW 3 Series on the podium for the first time

VW Golf

* See the Top 100 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Thanks to Florian for the data

From over 4 million units in reunification-boosted 1991, the German car market drops to 3.2 million in 1993, a further 19% down on 1992. The VW Golf III goes against the trend are sees its sales go up 5% year-on-year to a whopping 370,719 registrations and close to 12% market share. It sells 43,838 units in March alone, its highest monthly volume in Germany so far.

Opel Astra

The Opel Astra can’t keep up: for its second full year of sales it is already down 17% to 251,070 units but improves its share to 7.9%. Event on the podium: BMW places the 3 Series in third place, up 3 spots to 127,011 sales and 4% market share, the first time a BMW model lands on the podium in Germany since the Isetta in the fifties, and the 3 Series’ best-ever position.

BMW 3 Series

The Audi 80 is up one rank to #4 with 116,726 sales (3.7%), followed by the VW Passat (-35%), Mercedes 200/300 renamed E Class (-15%) and the Ford Escort/Orion (-8%). These seven models all sell more than 100,000 units in Germany this year, down from 10 in 1992.

Renault 19

Very solid in 11th place, the Renault 19 is by far the best-selling foreign model for the 4th year running at 73,591 sales and 2.3%. It even ranked 6th in March with 12,385 sales, its best-ever position in Germany. The Renault Clio follows at #17 and 1.5%, ahead of the Toyota Corolla (#21) and Mazda 323 (#22). Two new models land directly in the Top 20: the Ford Mondeo is #14 at 1.8% and the Mercedes C-Class, replacing the 190, ranks 15th at 1.6%. For the first time ever, a Korean model break into the annual German Top 50: the Hyundai Pony is #45 with 14,694 sales and 0.5%.

Full Year 1993 Top 100 and each monthly Top 15 Ranking Tables below.