France 1951-1952: Renault 4CV and Peugeot 203 hold onto top spots, Ford Vedette #6, production hits half-million

The Peugeot 203 ranks #2 in France in 1951.

21/07/2019 update: Now with the Top 101 All-models for 1951.

The French new passenger car and light commercial vehicle market gains a sturdy 36.3% year-on-year in 1951 to surpass 200.000 annual units for the first time since 1938 at 235.947. Imports are counted separately and up 178% year-on-year to 13.397 including 11.561 private cars. They come from Germany (7.926 incl. 6.422), the USA (2.104 incl. 1.725), Benelux (1.935 incl. 1.930), the UK (686 incl. 624), Canada (30 incl. 29) and others (716 incl. 675).

Renault (+31%), Citroen (+34%) and Peugeot (+24%) remain the dominant forces in their home market, but all lose share to add up to 70.4% vs. 73.9% in 1950. Simca (+41%) and Panhard (+80%) on the other hand progress faster than the market.

The Renault R 2060 truck ranks 5th best-seller in 1951.

Models data include trucks and buses and therefore add up to a higher 317.212 sales. The Renault 4 CV is the runaway leader with over 65.000 sales ahead of the Peugeot 203 just under 40.000 and the Simca 8/9 edging past 30.000 units. Note the Renault 4 CV reached 200.000 units on worldwide roads in April 1951 and 300.000 in March 1952. The Citroen 11 CV (Traction Avant), Renault R 2060 truck and Ford Vedette follow, the Renault Juvaquatre survives as an LCV at #7, Citroen 2 CV only ranks 8th and the Panhard Dyna rounds up the Top 10.

The Top 3 models are estimated to remain in the same order in 1952, when 286.144 passenger cars, 93.773 light and medium commercials and 1.539 trucks were registered, a total of 381.456, up 20.2% year-on-year. Note the production of vehicles in France in 1952 crosses the symbolic half-million milestone for the very first time in history at 500.351 units. As for imports, they dive down -35.5% to 8.640 incl. 7.847 private cars, coming from Germany (4.509 incl. 3.839), the USA (2.006 incl. 1.941), the UK (879 incl. 845), Benelux (206) and Canada (129) with a further 911 incl. 887 uncategorised.

Previous year: France 1950: Renault 4CV and Peugeot 203 on top

Two years ago: France 1949: 4CV ramps up, lifts Renault to 36.9% share

Full Year 1951 Top 26 All local brands and Top 96 models below.