France 1982: Renault 9 shakes models ranking, market passes 2 million mark

Renault 9

19/09/2026 update: Now with Top 55 All brands and Top 200 All models.

We go through another trip to memory lane today, studying French new car sales in 1982. You can also check the Full Year 1981 article which has been updated as well. Consult over 130 years of French Historical Data here

For the first time in French history, more than 2 million new cars are registered in a single year, up 12.1% year-on-year to 2,056,490 units. Renault (+12.9%) advances to 39.1% share, a near-record level. It even widens the gap with the #2 Peugeot (+2%) passing Citroen (-4.3%). Ford (+31.1%) spectacularly reaches the 4th spot overall, relegating Volkswagen (-1.2%) to #6. Meanwhile Talbot (+28.6%) enjoys a second win and is up one spot on 1981 to re-enter the Top 5.

Citroen Visa

9 of the next 10 carmakers grow even faster than the market, all foreigners. In fact, foreign manufacturers see their overall sales jump 21.9% year-on-year to 30.6% share vs. 28.1% in 1981. Opel (+51.6%) is the most dynamic, helped by the arrival of the new Corsa. Austin (+47.1%) is up to #11, with the new Metro gearing up, and BMW (+36.5%) is up one spot on last year to a record #9. Fiat (+29.5%), Toyota (+28.6%), Datsun (+28.2%), Alfa Romeo (+27.4%), Mazda (+22.4%), Lada (+22.2%) and Audi (+17%) all shine below.

Peugeot 505

The Renault 5 (-4.1%) is the best-selling car at home for the 9th year in a row but sees its share thaw from 15.5% to 13.2%. The main event in 1982 is the thundering arrival of the Renault 9 at #2 for its first full year in market with an outstanding 9.7% share, figures that would end up being its best ever year. The Renault 9 managed to rank #2 every single month of the year, broke the 10% share barrier for 3 months to peak at 10.9% in November. As a result the Renault 18 (-11.5%) drops to #3, making the French podium 100% Renault for what is believed to be the first time ever.

The Ford Escort is the best-selling foreign model in France in 1982.

The Talbot Samba lands at #14 for its first full year of sales.

Below the Peugeot 305 (+8%), the Citroen Visa (+14.9%) is boosted by its facelift to remain in 5th place with a record 4.6% share. The Ford Escort (+33.6%) surges ahead to become the second foreign model to break into the French Top 10 at a record 8th place. It dislodges the VW Golf (-15.8%) down three ranks to #12, with the Ford Fiesta (+39.5%) up four spots to rank #3 foreigner.  Another strong homegrown performer is the Peugeot 505 (+40.5%) up five spots to #11. Notice also the Talbot Samba (+670.9%) ending its first full year in market at a respectable 14th place, the Fiat Panda (+50.3%) knocking at the Top 20’s door, and three newcomers in the Top 40: the Lada 2105 (#34), Ford Sierra (#35) and Citroen BX (#39).

Full Year 1982 Top 55 All brands and Top 200 All models vs. Full Year 1981 figures, and every Monthly French models Top 10 Ranking below.

You can check out every monthly market share for the Top 10 best-selling French models in 1982 here:

France Full Year 1982 – brands:

PosBrand1982%/801981%Pos
1Renault804,26739.1%+ 12.9%712,66738.8%1
2Peugeot261,39412.7%+ 2.0%256,28714.0%3
3Citroen248,97512.1%– 4.3%260,28614.2%2
4Ford132,8156.5%+ 31.1%101,3325.5%5
5Talbot109,2015.3%+ 28.6%84,9204.6%6
6Volkswagen100,6854.9%– 1.2%101,9295.6%4
7Fiat83,9954.1%+ 29.5%64,8423.5%7
8Opel51,5412.5%+ 51.6%34,0001.9%8
9BMW33,4671.6%+ 36.5%24,5211.3%10
10Alfa Romeo31,7611.5%+ 27.4%24,9231.4%9
11Austin24,8311.2%+ 47.1%16,8830.9%13
12Audi23,7251.2%+ 17.0%20,2831.1%11
13Lada23,6131.1%+ 22.2%19,3241.1%12
14Mercedes17,8530.9%+ 9.8%16,2580.9%14
15Datsun17,7260.9%+ 28.2%13,8220.8%15
16Mazda15,3830.7%+ 22.4%12,5680.7%16
17Toyota13,5150.7%+ 28.6%10,5090.6%17
18Volvo10,8970.5%+ 11.3%9,7890.5%18
19Autobianchi9,6200.5%+ 3.3%9,3170.5%19
20Honda9,1430.4%+ 37.5%6,6490.4%21
21Lancia7,7360.4%– 8.0%8,4070.5%20
22Mitsubishi4,0320.2%+ 25.5%3,2130.2%24
23Skoda3,8450.2%– 1.2%3,8920.2%22
24Triumph3,5910.2%+ 478.3%6210.0%32
25Rover2,6030.1%+ 9.1%2,3850.1%26
26Talbot Matra2,3180.1%– 34.7%3,5510.2%23
27Polski1,8830.1%+ 14.9%1,6390.1%27
28Porsche1,5380.1%+ 19.9%1,2830.1%29
29MG1,0100.0%new00.0% –
30Innocenti8380.0%– 72.6%3,0600.2%25
31Zastava7590.0%– 36.9%1,2030.1%30
32Alpine Renault7010.0%+ 32.8%5280.0%33
33Saab3340.0%– 4.6%3500.0%35
34Buick2490.0%– 30.6%3590.0%34
35Ferrari1400.0%+ 27.3%1100.0%38
36Jaguar1120.0%– 34.1%1700.0%37
37Talbot Sunbeam910.0%– 94.0%1,5290.1%28
38Morris490.0%– 93.8%7920.0%31
39Daimler470.0%– 44.7%850.0%39
40Jeep260.0%n/a00.0% –
41Dodge210.0%– 16.0%250.0%43
42Lotus200.0%+ 150.0%80.0%50
43Oldsmobile200.0%– 91.6%2380.0%36
44Morgan110.0%+ 10.0%100.0%47
45Rolls-Royce/Bentley110.0%– 42.1%190.0%46
46Maserati80.0%+ 14.3%70.0%51
47Chevrolet70.0%– 73.1%260.0%42
48De Tomaso70.0%– 22.2%90.0%48
49Ford USA40.0%– 81.8%220.0%44
50American Motors30.0%– 84.2%190.0%45
51Plymouth30.0%– 50.0%60.0%52
52Pontiac30.0%– 89.7%290.0%40
53Chrysler20.0%– 92.6%270.0%41
54Lamborghini10.0%n/a00.0% –
55Seat10.0%– 88.9%90.0%49

France Full Year 1982 – models:

PosModel1982%/811981%Pos
1Renault 5272,24913.2%– 4.1%283,78515.5%1
2Renault 9199,8489.7%+ 407.0%39,4192.1%14
3Renault 18146,2207.1%– 11.5%165,2209.0%2
4Peugeot 305108,6485.3%+ 8.0%100,5655.5%4
5Citroen Visa95,0704.6%+ 14.9%82,7074.5%5
6Peugeot 10490,8564.4%– 11.1%102,2505.6%3
7Renault 469,5623.4%– 1.1%70,3303.8%7
8Ford Escort59,1692.9%+ 33.6%44,2782.4%11
9Renault 2056,8752.8%+ 1.6%55,9753.1%10
10Citroen GSA55,8932.7%– 21.3%71,0413.9%6
11Peugeot 50554,7082.7%+ 40.5%38,9422.1%16
12VW Golf51,0502.5%– 15.8%60,6043.3%9
13Ford Fiesta46,7622.3%+ 39.5%33,5321.8%17
14Talbot Samba44,4522.2%+ 670.9%5,7660.3%47
15Renault 1442,9032.1%– 38.9%70,2543.8%8
16Talbot Horizon37,3291.8%– 4.7%39,1822.1%15
17Citroen 2 CV36,4531.8%– 15.9%43,3682.4%12
18Fiat Ritmo32,5191.6%+ 29.4%25,1311.4%18
19Citroen CX32,3471.6%– 19.2%40,0222.2%13
20Opel Ascona25,3631.2%+ 156.9%9,8740.5%34
21Fiat Panda24,6371.2%+ 50.3%16,3890.9%24
22BMW 3 Series19,9241.0%+ 17.0%17,0330.9%23
23Opel Kadett18,9590.9%+ 1.1%18,7491.0%22
24VW Polo18,0730.9%+ 74.8%10,3420.6%30
25Talbot Solara17,9920.9%– 14.6%21,0561.1%20
26Austin Metro16,7410.8%+ 150.8%6,6760.4%42
27Alfa Romeo Alfasud16,4010.8%+ 8.6%15,1060.8%25
28Fiat 12715,6050.8%+ 55.1%10,0600.5%33
29Audi 8014,9930.7%+ 43.0%10,4830.6%29
30Citroen LNA14,4300.7%– 1.4%14,6330.8%26
31VW Jetta13,9110.7%– 2.9%14,3230.8%27
32VW Passat13,5490.7%+ 34.3%10,0890.5%32
33Renault Fuego13,3440.6%– 42.4%23,1781.3%19
34Lada 210512,6000.6%new00.0% –
35Ford Sierra11,8950.6%new00.0% –
36BMW 5 Series11,4990.6%+ 112.5%5,4110.3%49
37Mazda 32311,2820.5%+ 24.3%9,0780.5%37
38Ford Taunus9,7830.5%– 51.1%19,9991.1%21
39Citroen BX8,9650.4%new00.0% –
40Alfa Romeo Giulietta8,7770.4%+ 81.1%4,8460.3%50
41Austin Mini7,9920.4%– 13.0%9,1910.5%36
42Fiat 1317,6420.4%– 13.4%8,8280.5%38
43Autobianchi A1127,5440.4%+ 16.3%6,4860.4%45
44Volvo 343/3457,4050.4%+ 13.2%6,5410.4%44
45Lada 12007,0030.3%+ 4.4%6,7110.4%41
46Talbot 15106,5870.3%– 46.8%12,3780.7%28
47Alfa Romeo Alfetta6,3740.3%+ 34.4%4,7420.3%51
48Mercedes 2406,3540.3%+ 14.5%5,5500.3%48
49Datsun Cherry6,2910.3%– 8.2%6,8520.4%40
50Audi 1006,1170.3%– 4.2%6,3880.3%46
51Citroen Dyane5,7490.3%– 31.1%8,3480.5%39
52Lancia Delta4,3160.2%+ 189.7%1,4900.1%86
53Datsun Bluebird4,1920.2%+ 48.2%2,8280.2%63
54Mercedes 200/2204,0520.2%– 5.3%4,2780.2%54
55Peugeot 5044,0210.2%– 60.5%10,1870.6%31
56Ford Granada3,8950.2%+ 25.3%3,1080.2%60
57Honda Civic3,8930.2%+ 16.9%3,3310.2%59
58VW Scirocco3,8150.2%– 0.4%3,8310.2%56
59Triumph Acclaim3,4980.2%+ 26807.7%130.0%170
60Opel Corsa3,3900.2%new00.0% –
61Renault 303,2110.2%– 26.3%4,3590.2%52
62Peugeot 6043,1580.2%– 26.9%4,3200.2%53
63Mitsubishi Colt3,0450.1%+ 27.8%2,3830.1%67
64Toyota Tercel3,0280.1%+ 263.1%8340.0%97
65Mercedes 3003,0140.1%+ 14.3%2,6370.1%65
66Lada Niva 4×42,9910.1%+ 58.8%1,8840.1%75
67Honda Accord2,9900.1%+ 92.4%1,5540.1%83
68Talbot Tagora2,7530.1%– 34.2%4,1810.2%55
69Datsun Stanza2,7100.1%new00.0% –
70Toyota Lite-Ace2,4830.1%+ 10.9%2,2390.1%70
71Mercedes 2302,3920.1%+ 38.3%1,7300.1%79
72Volvo 2442,2610.1%– 9.2%2,4900.1%66
73Toyota Corolla2,2390.1%– 37.4%3,5770.2%57
74Skoda S1052,2220.1%– 1.7%2,2600.1%69
75Opel Rekord2,2210.1%– 37.5%3,5530.2%58
76Mazda 6262,2050.1%+ 21.5%1,8150.1%78
77Datsun Sunny2,1330.1%+ 14.8%1,8580.1%76
78Toyota Celica2,1100.1%+ 83.3%1,1510.1%92
79Autobianchi Elegant2,0760.1%– 26.7%2,8310.2%62
80Fiat Argenta2,0580.1%+ 197.4%6920.0%101
81Lancia Beta2,0460.1%– 68.7%6,5420.4%43
82BMW 7 Series1,8170.1%+ 0.1%1,8160.1%77
83Datsun Cedric1,8170.1%+ 14.8%1,5830.1%82
84Toyota Starlet1,7960.1%– 14.0%2,0880.1%72
85Mazda 9291,7770.1%+ 18.9%1,4940.1%85
86Skoda S1201,6230.1%– 0.6%1,6320.1%81
87Mercedes 2801,6010.1%– 4.5%1,6760.1%80
88Honda Quintet1,5190.1%+ 62.6%9340.1%95
89Polski Polonez1,4730.1%+ 28.0%1,1510.1%91
90Audi GT5 / GT5S1,2910.1%– 40.3%2,1620.1%71
91Lancia Trevi1,2510.1%+ 350.0%2780.0%119
92Matra Rancho1,2500.1%– 19.6%1,5540.1%84
93Opel Manta1,1380.1%– 15.8%1,3520.1%87
94Matra Murena1,0680.1%– 46.4%1,9940.1%74
95Lada 1500/16001,0150.0%– 9.1%1,1160.1%93
96MG Metro1,0100.0%new00.0% –
97Rover 26001,0050.0%– 25.2%1,3430.1%89
98Volvo 2458930.0%+ 27.9%6980.0%100
99Fiat 1268750.0%– 56.2%1,9980.1%73
100Innocenti Mini8680.0%– 71.6%3,0600.2%61
101Toyota Carina8530.0%+ 61.9%5270.0%108
102Honda Prelude7410.0%– 10.7%8300.0%99
103Audi Quattro7230.0%+ 249.3%2070.0%125
104Alpine A3107010.0%+ 32.8%5280.0%107
105Toyota Cressida6420.0%new00.0% –
106Porsche 9246160.0%– 30.7%8890.0%96
107Audi 2006000.0%– 42.5%1,0430.1%94
108Mitsubishi Lancer5900.0%+ 2.6%5750.0%104
109Rover 23005110.0%– 38.7%8330.0%98
110Porsche 9445080.0%+ 16833.3%30.0%186
111Fiat 1324970.0%– 63.0%1,3430.1%88
112Rover 24004430.0%new00.0% –
113Polski 125P4100.0%– 16.0%4880.0%110
114Zastava Super3790.0%– 28.1%5270.0%109
115Rover 20003770.0%new00.0% –
116Toyota Land Cruiser3640.0%+ 527.6%580.0%146
117Saab 9003330.0%– 0.9%3360.0%116
118Porsche 9113220.0%+ 14.2%2820.0%117
119Ford Capri3110.0%– 25.1%4150.0%111
120Mitsubishi Galant3080.0%+ 41.9%2170.0%124
121Zastava Contact2860.0%– 49.0%5610.0%105
122VW Iltis2580.0%new00.0% –
123Mercedes 5002530.0%+ 75.7%1440.0%129
124Datsun Patrol2500.0%new00.0% –
125Buick2490.0%– 30.6%3590.0%113
126Datsun Silvia2420.0%– 56.2%5520.0%106
127Opel Senator2420.0%+ 7.1%2260.0%123
128Volvo 7602340.0%new00.0% –
129BMW 6 Series2240.0%– 7.8%2430.0%121
130Range Rover2120.0%+ 59.4%1330.0%130
131Opel Monza1610.0%+ 25.8%1280.0%132
132Ferrari1400.0%+ 27.3%1100.0%137
133Lancia Gamma1230.0%+ 5.1%1170.0%135
134Alfa Romeo 20001190.0%+ 20.2%990.0%139
135Fiat 1281180.0%– 70.6%4020.0%112
136Jaguar XJ1020.0%– 40.0%1700.0%127
137Austin Allegro980.0%– 85.5%6770.0%102
138Porsche 928920.0%– 15.6%1090.0%138
139Triumph TR7900.0%– 65.0%2570.0%120
140Mazda RX5/RX7890.0%+ 345.0%200.0%163
141Mitsubishi Sapporo890.0%+ 134.2%380.0%152
142Zastava Yugo890.0%new00.0% –
143Alfa Romeo Alfa 6880.0%– 32.3%1300.0%131
144Sunbeam880.0%– 92.9%1,2480.1%90
145Talbot 1100860.0%– 96.3%2,3270.1%68
146Datsun 280 ZX810.0%+ 9.5%740.0%144
147Volvo 360800.0%new00.0% –
148Mercedes 380740.0%+ 39.6%530.0%148
149Mercedes Type G740.0%– 14.9%870.0%142
150Opel Commodore670.0%– 43.2%1180.0%134
151Citroen Divers570.0%+ 32.6%430.0%151
152Morris Ital470.0%– 92.0%5910.0%103
153Renault Divers470.0%– 46.0%870.0%143
154Fiat 124440.0%new00.0% –
155Mercedes 250390.0%– 59.4%960.0%140
156Land Rover360.0%– 18.2%440.0%150
157Mazda 121290.0%– 81.6%1580.0%128
158Daimler Sovereign270.0%– 51.8%560.0%147
159Jeep260.0%n/a00.0% –
160Volvo 262/264/265240.0%– 59.3%590.0%145
161Dodge210.0%– 16.0%250.0%160
162Daimler Double Six200.0%– 31.0%290.0%155
163Lotus200.0%+ 150.0%80.0%176
164Oldsmobile200.0%– 91.6%2380.0%122
165Rover 3500190.0%– 40.6%320.0%154
166Citroen LN180.0%+ 200.0%60.0%180
167VW Derby150.0%– 99.4%2,7110.1%64
168Citroen GS130.0%– 89.0%1180.0%133
169Morgan110.0%+ 10.0%100.0%173
170Rolls Bentley110.0%– 42.1%190.0%165
171Maserati80.0%+ 14.3%70.0%178
172Chevrolet70.0%– 73.1%260.0%159
173De Tomaso70.0%– 22.2%90.0%174
174Jaguar Sovereign70.0%new00.0% –
175Renault 1270.0%– 81.1%370.0%153
176Datsun Divers60.0%n/a00.0% –
177Zastava Nogaro50.0%– 95.7%1150.0%136
178Ford US40.0%– 81.8%220.0%162
179Lada 130040.0%– 100.0%9,6130.5%35
180AMC Divers30.0%– 84.2%190.0%164
181Datsun Laurel30.0%– 93.3%450.0%149
182Jaguar Vanden Plas30.0%new00.0% –
183Plymouth30.0%– 50.0%60.0%181
184Pontiac30.0%– 89.7%290.0%157
185Sunbeam Lotus30.0%– 98.9%2810.0%118
186Triumph Spitfire30.0%– 99.1%3510.0%114
187BMW Divers20.0%n/a00.0% –
188Chrysler20.0%– 92.6%270.0%158
189Morris Marina20.0%– 99.0%2010.0%126
190Peugeot 30420.0%– 83.3%120.0%171
191Renault 1620.0%– 91.3%230.0%161
192VW Divers20.0%– 60.0%50.0%182
193BMW M110.0%– 85.7%70.0%177
194Datsun F2 100 A/F2 120 A10.0%+ 0.0%10.0%188
195Lamborghini10.0%n/a00.0% –
196Mazda 81810.0%– 66.7%30.0%185
197Peugeot Divers10.0%– 90.9%110.0%172
198Saab 9910.0%– 92.9%140.0%168
199Seat Divers10.0%– 88.9%90.0%175
200Talbot 1307/130810.0%– 93.8%160.0%167
201Talbot Divers10.0%– 92.9%140.0%169

Source: L’Argus, CCFA