Portugal 1999: Renault Clio takes the lead for the first time

Renault Clio

* See the Top 20 best-selling modelsby clicking on the title! Many thanks to José *

272,841 new cars found a buyer in Portugal in 1999. For the first time since the launch of the nameplate in 1990, the Renault Clio manages to climb on top of the Portuguese models ranking this year with sales up 35% to 20,577 units and 7.5% share, helped by the new generation of the model now on sale. It is up 2 spots on last year and passing the Opel Corsa, now #2 at 18,634 units and 6.8%, and the Fiat Punto now #4 with 15,224 sales and 5.6%. This year we welcome an all-new supermini on the podium: the Peugeot 206 at a brilliant third place for its first full year of sales in the country with 16,246 units and 6% share.

The Opel Astra is back up to #5, followed by the VW Golf up 3 ranks to #6. The VW Polo, Citroen Saxo and Ford Fiesta all drop a few spots, while the Ford Focus makes its first appearance in the Portuguese Top 10 at #10 with 9,172 sales and 3.4%. Notice also the Citroen Xsara at #13, the BMW 3 Series at #14, the Fiat Palio at #18 and the Toyota Yaris, all-new for 1999, at #19.

Previous year: Portugal 1998: Opel Corsa and Fiat Punto fight it out

Next year: Portugal 2000: Fiat Punto leads the market

Full Year 1999 Top 20 Ranking Table below.