France 1969: 204 first Peugeot to top the annual charts

Peugeot 204

The French new vehicle market is up a very solid 10% year-on-year in 1969 to 1,257,635 units. When removing medium and heavy commercials we arrive at 1,169,945 units, up 9.5% year-on-year. Renault (+20.6%) has a fantastic year, doubling the market growth rate to reach 37.3% share vs. 34% in 1968. Citroen (+0.7%) is much more discreet and fall stories 24.6% share, now followed closely by Peugeot (+13.4%) at 22.7%. Simca (-6.6%) is getting distanced at 11.3% vs. 13.2% last year.

Citroen Ami 8

#2 in 1968, the Peugeot 204 (+3.8%) passes the Renault 4 in 1969 to become the best-selling model in the country. We don’t have a record of any Peugeot taking the annual lead in France so this should be a brand first, unless the carmaker dominated in the very early stages of automobile at the end of the 19th century. The Citroen Ami 6/8 (+5.9%) is up to #2 ahead of the Renault 6 (+888.3%) ending its first full year in market at a splendid third place. Still #1 in 1968, the Renault 4 (-29%) hits a wall and falls to #4. The Peugeot 504 (+1532.4%) cracks the Top 10 at #8. This year we welcome the Renault 12 (#19) and the Peugeot 304 (#23).

Full Year 1969 Top 15 All French brands and Top 33 All French models vs. Full Year 1968 data below.