France 1981: Renault 5 and 18 strong, Peugeot 104 on podium

Renault 5

19/09/2026 update: Now with Top 55 All brands and Top 190 All models.

In 1981 the French new car market edges down -2% year-on-year to 1,834,826 units. Renault (-6.1%) slips down to a still outstanding 38.8% share vs. a record 40.5% last year. Citroen (-3.9%) is back above Peugeot (-12.7%) for 2nd place with 14.2% share vs. 14%, while Volkswagen (+34.6%) and Ford (+48.1%) both post fantastic scores to complete the Top 5. Talbot (-24.7%) is in freefall again, sanctioned by a 6th place vs. #4 in 1980. Fiat (+22%) and Opel (+4.2%) both defy the negative market and are followed by Alfa Romeo (-1.8%). BMW (+42.2%) surges ahead and breaks intro the Top 10. Notice also Lada (+47.9%) up to #12, Datsun (-21.9%) hit hard to #15 as is Toyota (-19.7%) to #15 and Skoda (+137.9%) up to #22.

Renault 18

Model wise, the Renault 5 delivers its second best year, down only -5.5% on a record figure in 1980 at 15.5% share. In 2nd place, the Renault 18 (+5%) reaches its best-ever market share at 9%. Helped by its recent facelift, the Peugeot 104 (+8.1%) overtakes its big sister the 305 (-14%) to climb onto the third step of the podium. Good progression of the Citroen Visa (+28.1%), up 3 spots to #5, followed by the Citroen GSA (-14.5%) in trouble but up one spot on 1980 to #6. Similarly, the Renault 4 (-16.5%) and Renault 14 (-23.1%) both suffer.

Peugeot 104

Foreign models have a very good year: the VW Golf is up 28.4% and breaks into the year-end Top 10 for the first time at #9 with 3.3% share. The Ford Escort (+208.5%) surges to #11 overall, with the Ford Fiesta (+9.3%) and Fiat Ritmo (+38.5%) also making it into the Top 20. Notice also the Citroen 2CV (+5.3%) back up to #12, the Renault 9 landing directly at #14, the Austin Metro at #42 and the Talbot Samba at #47.

Citroen 2CV

Full Year 1981 Top 55 All brands and Top 190 All models below.