Europe 2001: VW Golf, Peugeot 206 and Ford Focus on podium

VW Golf

* See the Top 80 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Florian *

In 2001 the VW Golf celebrates its 18th year atop European car sales, but the task was a little harder this year. It leads with 664,328 units, down just 1%, that’s 37,000 sales or 0.2% market share above the Peugeot 206… The French heir of the legendary Peugeot 205 delivers what would end up being its best-ever European year-end volume at 627,370 sales, up 17% and 2 spots on 2000 for a much deserved 2nd place.

Peugeot 206

The Ford Focus is up 9% and also 2 spots to climb onto the European podium for the very first time with 543,378 sales, just above the Fiat Punto down just 4% but 2 ranks to #4 and 541,274 units. Passed by the Focus, the Opel Astra is now #3 in its category and #5 overall with 517,519 sales (-4%). The BMW 3 Series impresses: it is up 5% and one spot to #9 with a record 343,991 sales. It’s official: the Renault Scenic (#11, -3%) sells more than the Megane (#14, -15%).

Ford Focus

Other great performers in Europe in 2001 include the Ford Mondeo up 8 spots and 51% to #12, Mercedes C-Class also up 8 to #13, Renault Laguna up 9 to #17, Audi A4 up 5 to #18, Citroen Picasso up 10 to #21 and Skoda Fabia up 24 to #30. The Toyota Yaris is the best-selling Japanese model in Europe by far again at #22 with 195,875 sales, with only two other nippons in the Top 40: the Nissan Micra (#36) and Almera (#37). Notice also the Peugeot 307, launched mid-year, landing directly at #23 with 191,275 sales.

Previous year: Europe 2000: VW Golf and Fiat Punto dominate

Next year: Europe 2002: VW Golf only 500 units above Peugeot 206

Full Year 2001 Top 80 Ranking Table and each model’s sales data below.