Finland 1973: Toyota and Corolla triumph

Toyota is the best-selling brand in Finland in 1973 and the Corolla is the best-selling model.

* See the Top 55 All-brands and Top 50 models by clicking on the title *

Finnish new car sales gain 17.1% in 1973 to 117.967 and it’s a historical year in Finland: only ten years after landing in the country, Toyota (+90%) almost doubles its sales vs. 1972 to brilliantly take the lead of the Finnish brands ranking, most likely one of only a handful of markets (if the the only market) worldwide where the Japanese carmaker has managed such a feat so early on. The fight with Fiat (+18%) was intense, with only 145 sales separating the two brands at year end. Ford (+31%) remains in third place while Volkswagen (-16%) drops two to #4. Saab (+26%), Opel (+32%) and Lada (+27%) all gain one spot as they overtake Datsun (-15%) down four to #8. Volvo and Moskvitsh round up the Top 10 like in 1972.

To complete Toyota’s triumph in Finland in 1973, the Corolla surges 135% to become the country’s best-selling model, while the Lada 1200 (+27%) edges up one spot to land at #2 overall. Leader last year, the VW Beetle (-20%) falls to #3 while the Ford Taunus (+191%) is up 11 spots to #4 and the Fiat 600 (-3%) rounds up the Top 5. The Fiat 127 (+37%), Opel Kadett (+38%) and Saab 96 (+40%) are also strong in the Top 10 while we welcome the Audi 80, Wartburg 1000, Renault 5 and VW Passat in the Top 35.

Previous year: Finland 1972: VW Beetle best-seller, Lada 1200 on podium

Full Year 1973 Top 55 All-brands and Top 50 brands below.