France 1999: The Renault Clio/Peugeot 206 match has started

Renault Clio

* See the Top 100 best-selling models by clicking on ‘Read more’ at end of post! Many thanks to STAC for making this post possible *

French consumers decided they’d buy a new car this year: at 2,148,423 registrations the market is up 10%. The Renault Clio keeps the lead for the 7th year since its 1990 launch with 180,302 sales and 8.4% share. But the match with the Peugeot 206 is now in full gear with the Peugeot up to 155,694 sales and 7.2% share for its first full year.

Peugeot 206

From this year on, sales of the Renault Megane and Scenic are dissociated now that the two models have their own distinctions. The Scenic is therefore #3 at 97,540 units and 4.5% (+12%) while the Megane is 5th with 88,788 sales and 4.1% (+20%). Exceptional year for the Peugeot 406 helped by its facelift and the HDI engine: it ranks 4th overall at 89,582 units and 4.2% share.

Peugeot 406

There is no imported car in the Top 10 and the VW Golf is the best-selling foreign model for the first time since 1993 at #11, ahead of the Opel Corsa, Fiat Punto and Ford Focus. The best newcomer is the Opel Zafira at #28, followed by the locally produced Toyota Yaris at #34, already best-selling Japanese car in the country.

Previous year: see the France 1998 Top 100 best-selling models here.

Full Year 1999 Top 100 Ranking Table below.