Finland 1979: Datsun most popular marque for the first time

The Cherry helps Datsun to its first-ever annual win in Finland.

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

The Finnish market is back in shape in 1979 with registrations up 23.5% to 99.297 units. For the first time, Datsun is the most popular carmaker in the country thanks to deliveries soaring 58% to 13.3% share. It is only the second time in history that a Japanese carmaker ends the year at #1 after Toyota in 1973. Lada (+29%) is up two spots to #2 which is its best annual ranking in Finland, while Fiat (+22%) recedes by one rank to #3 and the leader for the past four years, Saab, sinks 1% and three spots to #4. Below, Ford (+15%), Volvo (+31%), Opel (+10%), Toyota (+10%) and Volkswagen (+46%) all hold onto their 1978 ranking. Skoda soars 69% to return into the Top 10 for the first time in 16 years (since 1963), Mazda doubles its sales (+100%) to climb up to #11 and Talbot makes a thunderous arrival directly at #14.

The Lada 1200-2103 has now been Finland’s best-seller for 6 consecutive years.

The Lada 1200-2103 celebrates six consecutive years atop the Finnish charts this year, even improving 33% to cross the symbolic 10% share milestone for the first time at 10.3%. Datsun renamed its lineup this year and the Cherry lands directly at #2 with an outstanding 9.6% share, ahead of the Fiat 127 (+49%), Volvo 242-265 (+33%) and Saab 99 (-8%). The Skoda 105-136 (+67%) and Volvo 340-345 (+42%) both break into the Top 10 whereas the Toyota Corolla (-41%) is ejected from it. The Saab 900 (+351) ends its first full year in market at #12 with the Opel Ascona (+102%), Ford Fiesta (+40%), Escort (+34%) and VW Golf (+24%) also solid. The Datsun Sunny lands at #16, the Talbot 1510 at #19 and the Toyota Tercel at #25.

Previous post: Finland 1975-1978: Saab #1 for the fist time, Lada 1200 most popular

Full Year 1979 Top 50 All-brands and models below.