France 1958: Renault Dauphine hits 20% share, Citroen 2 CV above 100.000 sales

The Citroen 2 CV becomes the 2nd nameplate after the Renault Dauphine to sell above 100.000 annual units at home.

The French new vehicle market celebrates a 5th consecutive all-time record year in 1958 thanks to sales up 8.3% to 723.177 locally-produced units including commercial vehicles. Imports are up 4.3% to 9.920, including 4.338 from Germany, 1.794 from the US, 1.696 from Italy and 1.299 from the UK. Renault (+7.3%) holds onto the brands lead at 30.3% share but Citroen (+18.5%) keeps on applying pressure in 2nd place at 27.8%. Peugeot (+1.7%) and Simca (+1.5%) remain close at 17% and 16.2% share, while Panhard (-15.9%) falls off at #5.

The Renault Dauphine (+26.3%) tightens its grip on the models charts to almost 20% share and over 143.000 deliveries in France. Production lines are running at record rhythm as an additional 126.000 units were also delivered outside of France in 1958 out of a production totalling 280.000 units for the year. Note both vehicle production in France (1.127.761) and worldwide deliveries of French models (1.097.419) cross the million mark for the first time in history.

The Citroen 2 CV (+19.8%) continues its progression, celebrating 10 years in market by becoming the 2nd nameplate in French history to sell over 100.000 annual units at home (+19.000 overseas). The Peugeot 403 (+11.9%) remains above 10% share and adds 45.000 deliveries overseas, while the Renault 4 CV (-3.7%) limits its fall at #5 and the Citroen DS-ID 19 (+54.6%) is up to #6, adding 13.500 sales overseas.

Previous year: France 1957: Renault Dauphine first model above 100.000 annual sales

Full Year 1958 Top 18 All-brands and Top 90 All-models vs. Full Year 1957 figures below.