France 1980: Renault 5 hits highest share at 16%

Renault 5

17/09/2026 update: Now with Top 55 All brands and Top 186 All models.

We are back with a thorough update of the French car rankings from 1980. You can also check the Full Year 1979 article which has been updated as well.

Consult over 130 years of French Historical Data here

The Renault 5 4-door pulls the nameplate’s sales up by 41.1%.

French customers bought 1,873,202 new cars in 1980, a -5.1% year-on-year drop. Renault (+9.8%) defies the negative market with a solid YoY gain to propel the brand to a whopping 40.5% share, believed to be a new record for the carmaker at home, eclipsing the 36.9% reached in 1949. Peugeot (-18.2%) follows far below at 15.7% ahead of Citroen (-16.7%) at 14.5%. Talbot (-27.9%) freefalls but stays in 4th place.

Renault 14

Big event among foreign carmakers: Volkswagen (+16.4%) overtakes Ford (-13.7%) to land at #5 overall and become the most popular for what is believed to be the first time in French history. Fiat (+11.6%) follows at #7 above Opel (-10.4%), Alfa Romeo (-11.7%) and Austin (-4.6%). Datsun (+37.7%) surges to #11, by far the best-selling Japanese carmaker in the country ahead of Toyota (+14.6%), Mazda (+11.5%) and Honda (+48%). Notice also Audi (+17.4%), BMW (+14.6%) and Mercedes (+16.4%) all in outstanding shape.

Renault 20

Over in the models charts, helped by the launch of the 4-door version in July 1979, the Renault 5 soars 41.1% to pass the 300,000 annual sales mark for the first time and reach a record 16% share, its highest ever and still to this date (as of 2026) the highest year-end market share reached by a single model in France since 1961 and the Renault Dauphine (18%). The Top 4 stays unchanged on 1979 with the Renault 18 (+3%) at #2, the Peugeot 305 (-13.3%) at #3 and the Peugeot 104 (-4.2%) at #4.

Renault Fuego

Three more models reach their best ever market share in France this year: the Renault 14 is in 5th place at 4.9%, the Renault 20 breaks into the Top 10 at #9 with 3.4% and the Renault Fuego lands directly at #15 for its first and what will stay its best year of sales. The Talbot Solara lands at #18. The VW Golf (+18.8%) is once again the best-selling foreigner, climbing to #12 overall and distancing the Ford Fiesta (#16), Opel Kadett (#20), Ford Taunus (#21) and Fiat Ritmo (#22).

Full Year 1980 Top 55 All brands and Top 186 All models vs. Full Year 1979 figures below.

France Full Year 1980 – brands:

PosBrand1980%/791979%Pos
1Renault758,76740.5%+ 9.8%690,83535.0%1
2Peugeot293,46115.7%– 18.2%358,63818.1%2
3Citroen270,98314.5%– 16.7%325,39916.5%3
4Talbot112,7766.0%– 27.9%156,5137.9%4
5Volkswagen75,7274.0%+ 16.4%65,0783.3%6
6Ford68,4263.7%– 13.7%79,2664.0%5
7Fiat53,1472.8%+ 11.6%47,6072.4%7
8Opel32,6271.7%– 10.4%36,4041.8%8
9Alfa Romeo25,3801.4%– 11.7%28,7411.5%9
10Austin18,6301.0%– 4.6%19,5321.0%10
11Datsun17,7000.9%+ 37.7%12,8560.7%14
12Audi17,4550.9%+ 17.4%14,8640.8%13
13BMW17,2390.9%+ 14.6%15,0370.8%12
14Mercedes14,4300.8%+ 16.4%12,3920.6%15
15Toyota13,0950.7%+ 14.6%11,4280.6%17
16Lada13,0690.7%– 21.6%16,6630.8%11
17Mazda13,0210.7%+ 11.5%11,6740.6%16
18Autobianchi8,4520.5%+ 1.0%8,3650.4%21
19Honda8,2930.4%+ 48.0%5,6020.3%24
20Volvo8,2070.4%– 7.9%8,9090.5%19
21Lancia6,8010.4%+ 7.3%6,3390.3%23
22Talbot Sunbeam4,2110.2%– 49.9%8,4020.4%20
23Innocenti4,0770.2%– 6.6%4,3630.2%25
24Talbot Matra3,8870.2%– 45.1%7,0760.4%22
25Rover2,9140.2%– 29.5%4,1330.2%26
26Mitsubishi2,7880.1%+ 161.8%1,0650.1%30
27Skoda1,6360.1%+ 447.2%2990.0%37
28Zastava1,3700.1%+ 10.7%1,2380.1%28
29Polski1,3310.1%– 35.7%2,0700.1%27
30Porsche1,0600.1%+ 2.3%1,0360.1%31
31Morris8080.0%+ 20.4%6710.0%33
32Triumph5750.0%– 47.4%1,0940.1%29
33Alpine Renault5450.0%– 23.1%7090.0%32
34Buick4230.0%+ 277.7%1120.0%41
35Oldsmobile3970.0%– 36.3%6230.0%34
36Seat3060.0%– 96.8%9,4480.5%18
37Jaguar2690.0%– 22.3%3460.0%36
38Saab1790.0%– 13.1%2060.0%38
39Ferrari1260.0%– 6.7%1350.0%40
40Vauxhall1250.0%– 79.4%6060.0%35
41Chevrolet1030.0%– 23.7%1350.0%39
42Daimler860.0%+ 616.7%120.0%50
43Pontiac640.0%+ 100.0%320.0%46
44American Motors400.0%– 51.8%830.0%42
45Rolls-Royce/Bentley290.0%+ 16.0%250.0%47
46Cadillac270.0%– 52.6%570.0%44
47Plymouth260.0%– 59.4%640.0%43
48Chrysler160.0%– 57.9%380.0%45
49Ford USA130.0%+ 8.3%120.0%51
50Morgan120.0%– 7.7%130.0%49
51Lotus80.0%– 55.6%180.0%48
52Maserati50.0%– 37.5%80.0%53
53De Tomaso30.0%– 62.5%80.0%52
54Dodge10.0%n/a00.0% –
55Lamborghini00.0%– 100.0%10.0%54

France Full Year 1980 – models:

PosModel1980%/791979%Pos
1Renault 5300,39516.0%+ 41.1%212,91510.8%1
2Renault 18157,4008.4%+ 3.0%152,8277.7%2
3Peugeot 305116,9886.2%– 13.3%134,9566.8%3
4Peugeot 10494,5965.0%– 4.2%98,7865.0%4
5Renault 1491,3954.9%– 2.1%93,3964.7%6
6Renault 484,2704.5%– 11.1%94,8094.8%5
7Citroen GSA83,0424.4%+ 324.1%19,5821.0%21
8Citroen Visa64,5663.4%– 28.6%90,4484.6%7
9Renault 2064,5113.4%+ 18.7%54,3392.7%12
10Talbot Horizon56,7053.0%– 33.6%85,3824.3%8
11Peugeot 50550,4092.7%+ 20.7%41,7522.1%14
12VW Golf47,1942.5%+ 18.8%39,7392.0%15
13Citroen CX47,0842.5%– 27.6%65,0353.3%9
14Citroen 2 CV41,1782.2%– 22.4%53,0562.7%13
15Renault Fuego38,5842.1%new00.0% –
16Ford Fiesta30,6921.6%– 21.8%39,2252.0%16
17Simca 151026,5781.4%– 25.4%35,6351.8%17
18Talbot Solara22,5701.2%new00.0% –
19Peugeot 50420,8841.1%– 62.6%55,8372.8%11
20Opel Kadett18,5741.0%+ 29.7%14,3240.7%30
21Ford Taunus18,1461.0%– 6.5%19,4061.0%22
22Fiat Ritmo18,1401.0%+ 0.6%18,0310.9%26
23Alfa Romeo Alfasud17,1750.9%– 11.5%19,3991.0%23
24Ford Escort14,3540.8%+ 62.4%8,8390.4%39
25Austin Mini13,9330.7%– 11.6%15,7570.8%29
26Citroen LNA13,4060.7%– 30.3%19,2241.0%24
27Opel Ascona11,8420.6%– 1.8%12,0550.6%32
28Citroen Dyane11,4880.6%– 31.4%16,7350.8%27
29Fiat 13110,8910.6%+ 0.8%10,8030.5%36
30VW Polo10,7320.6%– 4.5%11,2430.6%35
31BMW 3-Series10,4370.6%+ 12.0%9,3220.5%38
32Datsun Cherry10,2960.5%+ 60.5%6,4130.3%49
33Citroen GS10,0380.5%– 83.6%61,1363.1%10
34Fiat 1279,5840.5%+ 41.4%6,7800.3%47
35Audi 809,4540.5%+ 20.5%7,8460.4%42
36Peugeot 6048,6150.5%– 24.7%11,4380.6%34
37Autobianchi A1128,4520.5%+ 1.0%8,3650.4%41
38VW Passat7,6320.4%+ 0.4%7,5980.4%43
39Renault 127,5200.4%– 70.0%25,0461.3%18
40Renault 307,3400.4%– 36.0%11,4770.6%33
41Mazda 3237,2390.4%+ 1.3%7,1430.4%45
42Audi 1007,2290.4%+ 3.0%7,0180.4%46
43Talbot 11006,6450.4%– 46.1%12,3290.6%31
44Volvo 343/3455,5350.3%+ 22.9%4,5030.2%57
45Lada 12005,3330.3%– 4.7%5,5980.3%52
46Lada 13005,2380.3%– 28.1%7,2870.4%44
47Mercedes 2405,0170.3%+ 18.9%4,2210.2%61
48BMW 5-Series4,8740.3%+ 13.5%4,2950.2%59
49Ford Granada4,6150.2%– 56.8%10,6940.5%37
50Alfa Romeo Alfetta4,4200.2%– 25.6%5,9430.3%51
51VW Scirocco4,3230.2%+ 2.2%4,2290.2%60
52Innocenti Mini4,0770.2%– 6.6%4,3630.2%58
53Opel Rekord4,0300.2%– 39.1%6,6140.3%48
54Renault 163,9640.2%– 78.2%18,2020.9%25
55Lancia Beta3,8700.2%– 35.2%5,9700.3%50
56Sunbeam3,7960.2%– 54.8%8,4020.4%40
57Fiat 1263,6630.2%– 34.1%5,5620.3%53
58Honda Civic3,6050.2%+ 96.0%1,8390.1%83
59Toyota Tercel3,5410.2%+ 45.0%2,4420.1%76
60Mercedes 200/2203,5390.2%+ 25.4%2,8220.1%69
61VW Derby3,4200.2%+ 55.5%2,1990.1%81
62Alfa Romeo Giulietta3,4140.2%+ 3.2%3,3090.2%66
63Datsun Sunny3,2950.2%– 2.4%3,3750.2%65
64Renault 63,2290.2%– 86.7%24,2191.2%19
65Fiat 1323,1110.2%– 16.1%3,7060.2%62
66Honda Accord3,0720.2%+ 0.9%3,0460.2%67
67Mazda 6263,0090.2%+ 5.2%2,8610.1%68
68Toyota Starlet2,8890.2%– 40.6%4,8620.2%55
69Matra Rancho2,8240.2%– 40.5%4,7480.2%56
70Lancia Delta2,7400.1%+ 54700.0%50.0%170
71Mercedes 3002,7040.1%+ 18.3%2,2850.1%79
72Rover 26002,5150.1%– 28.4%3,5150.2%63
73Mazda 9292,4320.1%+ 10.2%2,2060.1%80
74VW Jetta2,4250.1%new00.0% –
75Toyota Celica2,4020.1%+ 16.7%2,0590.1%82
76Austin Allegro2,0400.1%– 20.0%2,5490.1%72
77Toyota Corolla1,9780.1%+ 113.4%9270.0%96
78Volvo 2441,9170.1%– 21.6%2,4440.1%75
79Mitsubishi Colt1,9160.1%+ 132.8%8230.0%99
80Mercedes 2801,8940.1%+ 15.8%1,6360.1%84
81Peugeot 3041,7650.1%– 88.9%15,8860.8%28
82BMW 7-Series1,6330.1%+ 46.7%1,1130.1%92
83Honda Prelude1,6160.1%+ 125.4%7170.0%102
84Lada Niva 4×41,5690.1%– 32.3%2,3190.1%78
85Opel Manta1,5290.1%– 39.3%2,5180.1%74
86Datsun Violet1,3340.1%– 1.6%1,3560.1%87
87Datsun Bluerird1,1190.1%+ 656.1%1480.0%130
88Skoda S1051,0860.1%+ 748.4%1280.0%136
89Toyota Lite-Ace1,0450.1%new00.0% –
90Lada 1500/16009290.0%– 36.3%1,4590.1%85
91Talbot 180 et 2 litres8550.0%– 41.1%1,4520.1%86
92Morris Marina8080.0%+ 20.4%6710.0%104
93Matra Bagheera7970.0%– 65.8%2,3300.1%77
94Toyota Carina7870.0%+ 4.7%7520.0%101
95Audi 2007720.0%new00.0% –
96Polski 125P7250.0%– 39.5%1,1980.1%90
97Datsun Cedric6940.0%+ 679.8%890.0%143
98Porsche 9246710.0%+ 8.9%6160.0%106
99Volvo 2456690.0%+ 15.7%5780.0%110
100Austin Princess6570.0%– 46.4%1,2260.1%89
101Mitsubishi Lancer6490.0%+ 16125.0%40.0%171
102Ford Capri6190.0%– 43.8%1,1020.1%94
103Polski Polonez6060.0%– 30.5%8720.0%98
104Mercedes 2305710.0%– 3.7%5930.0%108
105Skoda S1205500.0%+ 221.6%1710.0%128
106Alpine A3105450.0%– 23.1%7090.0%103
107Datsun Silvia5440.0%+ 54300.0%10.0%175
108Zastava Contact5270.0%– 10.8%5910.0%109
109Zastava Super5130.0%– 13.6%5940.0%107
110Mercedes 2504990.0%– 80.2%2,5250.1%73
111Fiat 1284930.0%– 81.9%2,7250.1%71
112Toyota Corona4450.0%+ 71.8%2590.0%122
113Buick4230.0%+ 277.7%1120.0%137
114Sunbeam Avenger4150.0%new00.0% –
115Oldsmobile3970.0%– 36.3%6230.0%105
116Triumph Spitfire3480.0%– 61.4%9020.0%97
117Zastava Nogaro3300.0%+ 522.6%530.0%154
118BMW 6-Series2900.0%– 5.2%3060.0%117
119Jaguar XJ2690.0%– 22.3%3460.0%114
120Matra Murena2660.0%new00.0% –
121Porsche 9112570.0%– 15.2%3030.0%118
122Talbot 1307/13082570.0%– 98.8%21,6241.1%20
123Datsun Laurel2540.0%– 11.5%2870.0%119
124Alfa Romeo Alfa 62520.0%+ 165.3%950.0%140
125Triumph TR72270.0%+ 74.6%1300.0%135
126Lancia Gamma1910.0%– 47.5%3640.0%113
127Mazda RX5/RX71820.0%+ 104.5%890.0%144
128Range Rover1810.0%– 35.4%2800.0%120
129Opel Senator1800.0%– 44.4%3240.0%115
130Rover 35001620.0%– 41.9%2790.0%121
131Renault Divers1530.0%+ 115.5%710.0%147
132Mazda 1211520.0%– 38.0%2450.0%124
133Datsun 260 Z/280 ZX1480.0%+ 78.3%830.0%145
134Saab 9001470.0%– 28.3%2050.0%126
135Ferrari1260.0%– 6.7%1350.0%134
136Mitsubishi Galant1200.0%– 13.7%1390.0%132
137Seat 1500 coupe1200.0%– 76.5%5100.0%111
138Opel Monza1190.0%– 35.3%1840.0%127
139Porsche 9281120.0%+ 17.9%950.0%141
140Opel Commodore1050.0%– 72.7%3850.0%112
141Chevrolet1030.0%– 23.7%1350.0%133
142Mitsubishi Sapporo1030.0%+ 4.0%990.0%139
143Peugeot Divers1030.0%+ 139.5%430.0%155
144Mercedes Type G950.0%+ 37.7%690.0%149
145Seat 133930.0%– 97.3%3,4880.2%64
146Seat 127920.0%– 98.3%5,2930.3%54
147Volvo 262/264/265820.0%– 41.4%1400.0%131
148Alfa Romeo 2000690.0%+ 360.0%150.0%163
149Pontiac640.0%+ 100.0%320.0%158
150Vauxhall Cavalier610.0%– 81.1%3220.0%116
151Daimler Sovereign570.0%+ 533.3%90.0%167
152Land Rover560.0%– 5.1%590.0%152
153Mercedes 500540.0%new00.0% –
154Citroen Divers490.0%n/a00.0% –
155Vauxhall Chevette430.0%– 82.6%2470.0%123
156Mercedes 380340.0%new00.0% –
157Saab 99320.0%+ 3100.0%10.0%177
158AMC Pacer310.0%– 57.5%730.0%146
159Daimler Double Six290.0%+ 866.7%30.0%172
160Rolls Bentley290.0%+ 16.0%250.0%159
161Cadillac270.0%– 52.6%570.0%153
162Plymouth260.0%– 59.4%640.0%150
163Mercedes 450230.0%– 88.8%2050.0%125
164Talbot Divers210.0%– 77.2%920.0%142
165Porsche 930 Turbo200.0%– 9.1%220.0%161
166Vauxhall Carlton170.0%– 51.4%350.0%157
167Chrysler US160.0%– 57.9%380.0%156
168Datsun F2 100 A/F2 120 A160.0%– 98.6%1,1040.1%93
169Ford US130.0%+ 8.3%120.0%165
170Renault 15130.0%– 99.5%2,7580.1%70
171Morgan120.0%– 7.7%130.0%164
172AMC Divers90.0%– 10.0%100.0%166
173Lotus80.0%– 55.6%180.0%162
174Mazda 81870.0%– 99.3%9850.0%95
175BMW M150.0%+ 400.0%10.0%174
176Maserati50.0%– 37.5%80.0%169
177Toyota Cressida50.0%– 95.1%1030.0%138
178Citroen LN40.0%– 99.6%1,1160.1%91
179Vauxhall Royale40.0%+ 100.0%20.0%173
180Volvo 6640.0%– 99.7%1,2440.1%88
181De Tomaso30.0%– 62.5%80.0%168
182Toyota Crown30.0%– 87.5%240.0%160
183Dodge10.0%n/a00.0% –
184Renault 1710.0%– 99.9%7770.0%100
185Seat 1200 coupe10.0%– 99.4%1570.0%129
186VW Beetle10.0%– 98.6%700.0%148

Source: CCFA, L’Argus