France 1985: Peugeot 205 at its highest, Renault Supercinq arrives

Peugeot 205

* See the Top 172 best-selling models by clicking on the title *

Stable market in France in 1985 at 1,766,328 registrations. The Peugeot 205 has what will remain its best year, peaking at a record 15.4% share in February and hitting 12.9% of the market at year-end thanks to 226.974 sales. French consumers can’t get enough of the GTI version, fast becoming an icon of the eighties…

Renault Supercinq

After a wobbly transition during 1984, the Renault Supercinq, the successor to the 5 launched in August last year, establishes itself in 2nd place in December ’84 and stays there until September ’85 when it ranks #1 for the first time. 1985 is indeed the start of the most tightly fought rivarly for the title of best-selling car in France, a rivalry that still extends to today with the 207 vs. Clio… The Supercinq finishes its first full year of sales at 184,218 units and 10.5%.

Citroen BX

The Citroen BX climbs onto the podium and reaches its best year-end share at 7% thanks to 123,164 sales. The Renault 11’s success was short-lived: it is down 19% this year to #4 and 6.6%. The Renault 25 delivers its best year at #5 with 82,696 sales and 4.7%, an exceptional score in France for a car that large and expensive.

Renault 25

The Ford Fiesta is the best-selling foreign model in France this year, reaching an excellent 7th place thanks to 46,359 units sold. It is followed by the VW Golf (#10), Ford Escort (#12), Fiat Uno (#15), Ford Sierra (#16), VW Polo (#18) and Opel Kadett (#19). Notice also the Peugeot 309 landing directly at #21 and the Seat Ibiza up 98 spots to #35 for its first full year. The Mazda 323 is the best-selling Japanese model at #44.

Previous year: see the 1984 France Top 20 best-selling models here.

Full Year 1985 Top 172 and Monthly Top 10 Ranking Tables below.