France mid-August 2011: Citroen C3 leads, VW Golf up to #4

Citroen C3

* See the Top 10 best-selling models by clicking on ‘Read more’ at end of post!

It’s a French marathon on the site these last few days! After a few weeks of Summer holidays, French magazine Auto Plus has resumed publishing the weekly Top 10 Rankings and I can share with you an update on August’s first half.

August is always eventful for the French models ranking because it is by far the slowest month of the year and promotions have a greater impact on the overall ranking. 2011 is no exception, with the Citroen C3 flamboyantly taking the lead with 1,991 sales and 4.4% share! If it maintains this level until the end of the month it will be the first time a Citroen model tops the French monthly ranking since the Ami 6…44 years ago!

VW Golf

The other gobsmacking performance is coming from the VW Golf, up to #4 over the period at 3.3% and 1,474 sales: this is only 101 units below the Renault Clio! The VW Polo follows close behind at 1,383 sales and 3%, making it two Volkswagens in the Top 5, possibly a first. The Dacia Duster is back to very robust figures at #6 with 2.9% share and the Citroen C4 is up to #8 vs. #12 in July.

The brands ranking is all over the place as well with Citroen #1 at 17.1%, ahead of Peugeot (14.2%) and Renault at a very weak 12.7% and threatened by Volkswagen (10.7%)!

Previous month: see the July France Top 100 best-selling models here.

Full Top 10 Brands and Models Ranking Tables below.