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%Pos1Renault758,76740.5%+ 9.8%690,83535.0%12Peugeot293,46115.7%– 18.2%358,63818.1%23Citroen270,98314.5%– 16.7%325,39916.5%34Talbot112,7766.0%– 27.9%156,5137.9%45Volkswagen75,7274.0%+ 16.4%65,0783.3%66Ford68,4263.7%– 13.7%79,2664.0%57Fiat53,1472.8%+ 11.6%47,6072.4%78Opel32,6271.7%– 10.4%36,4041.8%89Alfa Romeo25,3801.4%– 11.7%28,7411.5%910Austin18,6301.0%– 4.6%19,5321.0%1011Datsun17,7000.9%+ 37.7%12,8560.7%1412Audi17,4550.9%+ 17.4%14,8640.8%1313BMW17,2390.9%+ 14.6%15,0370.8%1214Mercedes14,4300.8%+ 16.4%12,3920.6%1515Toyota13,0950.7%+ 14.6%11,4280.6%1716Lada13,0690.7%– 21.6%16,6630.8%1117Mazda13,0210.7%+ 11.5%11,6740.6%1618Autobianchi8,4520.5%+ 1.0%8,3650.4%2119Honda8,2930.4%+ 48.0%5,6020.3%2420Volvo8,2070.4%– 7.9%8,9090.5%1921Lancia6,8010.4%+ 7.3%6,3390.3%2322Talbot Sunbeam4,2110.2%– 49.9%8,4020.4%2023Innocenti4,0770.2%– 6.6%4,3630.2%2524Talbot Matra3,8870.2%– 45.1%7,0760.4%2225Rover2,9140.2%– 29.5%4,1330.2%2626Mitsubishi2,7880.1%+ 161.8%1,0650.1%3027Skoda1,6360.1%+ 447.2%2990.0%3728Zastava1,3700.1%+ 10.7%1,2380.1%2829Polski1,3310.1%– 35.7%2,0700.1%2730Porsche1,0600.1%+ 2.3%1,0360.1%3131Morris8080.0%+ 20.4%6710.0%3332Triumph5750.0%– 47.4%1,0940.1%2933Alpine Renault5450.0%– 23.1%7090.0%3234Buick4230.0%+ 277.7%1120.0%4135Oldsmobile3970.0%– 36.3%6230.0%3436Seat3060.0%– 96.8%9,4480.5%1837Jaguar2690.0%– 22.3%3460.0%3638Saab1790.0%– 13.1%2060.0%3839Ferrari1260.0%– 6.7%1350.0%4040Vauxhall1250.0%– 79.4%6060.0%3541Chevrolet1030.0%– 23.7%1350.0%3942Daimler860.0%+ 616.7%120.0%5043Pontiac640.0%+ 100.0%320.0%4644American Motors400.0%– 51.8%830.0%4245Rolls-Royce/Bentley290.0%+ 16.0%250.0%4746Cadillac270.0%– 52.6%570.0%4447Plymouth260.0%– 59.4%640.0%4348Chrysler160.0%– 57.9%380.0%4549Ford USA130.0%+ 8.3%120.0%5150Morgan120.0%– 7.7%130.0%4951Lotus80.0%– 55.6%180.0%4852Maserati50.0%– 37.5%80.0%5353De Tomaso30.0%– 62.5%80.0%5254Dodge10.0%n/a00.0% –55Lamborghini00.0%– 100.0%10.0%54

France Full Year 1980 – models:

PosModel1980%/791979%Pos1Renault 5300,39516.0%+ 41.1%212,91510.8%12Renault 18157,4008.4%+ 3.0%152,8277.7%23Peugeot 305116,9886.2%– 13.3%134,9566.8%34Peugeot 10494,5965.0%– 4.2%98,7865.0%45Renault 1491,3954.9%– 2.1%93,3964.7%66Renault 484,2704.5%– 11.1%94,8094.8%57Citroen GSA83,0424.4%+ 324.1%19,5821.0%218Citroen Visa64,5663.4%– 28.6%90,4484.6%79Renault 2064,5113.4%+ 18.7%54,3392.7%1210Talbot Horizon56,7053.0%– 33.6%85,3824.3%811Peugeot 50550,4092.7%+ 20.7%41,7522.1%1412VW Golf47,1942.5%+ 18.8%39,7392.0%1513Citroen CX47,0842.5%– 27.6%65,0353.3%914Citroen 2 CV41,1782.2%– 22.4%53,0562.7%1315Renault Fuego38,5842.1%new00.0% –16Ford Fiesta30,6921.6%– 21.8%39,2252.0%1617Simca 151026,5781.4%– 25.4%35,6351.8%1718Talbot Solara22,5701.2%new00.0% –19Peugeot 50420,8841.1%– 62.6%55,8372.8%1120Opel Kadett18,5741.0%+ 29.7%14,3240.7%3021Ford Taunus18,1461.0%– 6.5%19,4061.0%2222Fiat Ritmo18,1401.0%+ 0.6%18,0310.9%2623Alfa Romeo Alfasud17,1750.9%– 11.5%19,3991.0%2324Ford Escort14,3540.8%+ 62.4%8,8390.4%3925Austin Mini13,9330.7%– 11.6%15,7570.8%2926Citroen LNA13,4060.7%– 30.3%19,2241.0%2427Opel Ascona11,8420.6%– 1.8%12,0550.6%3228Citroen Dyane11,4880.6%– 31.4%16,7350.8%2729Fiat 13110,8910.6%+ 0.8%10,8030.5%3630VW Polo10,7320.6%– 4.5%11,2430.6%3531BMW 3-Series10,4370.6%+ 12.0%9,3220.5%3832Datsun Cherry10,2960.5%+ 60.5%6,4130.3%4933Citroen GS10,0380.5%– 83.6%61,1363.1%1034Fiat 1279,5840.5%+ 41.4%6,7800.3%4735Audi 809,4540.5%+ 20.5%7,8460.4%4236Peugeot 6048,6150.5%– 24.7%11,4380.6%3437Autobianchi A1128,4520.5%+ 1.0%8,3650.4%4138VW Passat7,6320.4%+ 0.4%7,5980.4%4339Renault 127,5200.4%– 70.0%25,0461.3%1840Renault 307,3400.4%– 36.0%11,4770.6%3341Mazda 3237,2390.4%+ 1.3%7,1430.4%4542Audi 1007,2290.4%+ 3.0%7,0180.4%4643Talbot 11006,6450.4%– 46.1%12,3290.6%3144Volvo 343/3455,5350.3%+ 22.9%4,5030.2%5745Lada 12005,3330.3%– 4.7%5,5980.3%5246Lada 13005,2380.3%– 28.1%7,2870.4%4447Mercedes 2405,0170.3%+ 18.9%4,2210.2%6148BMW 5-Series4,8740.3%+ 13.5%4,2950.2%5949Ford Granada4,6150.2%– 56.8%10,6940.5%3750Alfa Romeo Alfetta4,4200.2%– 25.6%5,9430.3%5151VW Scirocco4,3230.2%+ 2.2%4,2290.2%6052Innocenti Mini4,0770.2%– 6.6%4,3630.2%5853Opel Rekord4,0300.2%– 39.1%6,6140.3%4854Renault 163,9640.2%– 78.2%18,2020.9%2555Lancia Beta3,8700.2%– 35.2%5,9700.3%5056Sunbeam3,7960.2%– 54.8%8,4020.4%4057Fiat 1263,6630.2%– 34.1%5,5620.3%5358Honda Civic3,6050.2%+ 96.0%1,8390.1%8359Toyota Tercel3,5410.2%+ 45.0%2,4420.1%7660Mercedes 200/2203,5390.2%+ 25.4%2,8220.1%6961VW Derby3,4200.2%+ 55.5%2,1990.1%8162Alfa Romeo Giulietta3,4140.2%+ 3.2%3,3090.2%6663Datsun Sunny3,2950.2%– 2.4%3,3750.2%6564Renault 63,2290.2%– 86.7%24,2191.2%1965Fiat 1323,1110.2%– 16.1%3,7060.2%6266Honda Accord3,0720.2%+ 0.9%3,0460.2%6767Mazda 6263,0090.2%+ 5.2%2,8610.1%6868Toyota Starlet2,8890.2%– 40.6%4,8620.2%5569Matra Rancho2,8240.2%– 40.5%4,7480.2%5670Lancia Delta2,7400.1%+ 54700.0%50.0%17071Mercedes 3002,7040.1%+ 18.3%2,2850.1%7972Rover 26002,5150.1%– 28.4%3,5150.2%6373Mazda 9292,4320.1%+ 10.2%2,2060.1%8074VW Jetta2,4250.1%new00.0% –75Toyota Celica2,4020.1%+ 16.7%2,0590.1%8276Austin Allegro2,0400.1%– 20.0%2,5490.1%7277Toyota Corolla1,9780.1%+ 113.4%9270.0%9678Volvo 2441,9170.1%– 21.6%2,4440.1%7579Mitsubishi Colt1,9160.1%+ 132.8%8230.0%9980Mercedes 2801,8940.1%+ 15.8%1,6360.1%8481Peugeot 3041,7650.1%– 88.9%15,8860.8%2882BMW 7-Series1,6330.1%+ 46.7%1,1130.1%9283Honda Prelude1,6160.1%+ 125.4%7170.0%10284Lada Niva 4×41,5690.1%– 32.3%2,3190.1%7885Opel Manta1,5290.1%– 39.3%2,5180.1%7486Datsun Violet1,3340.1%– 1.6%1,3560.1%8787Datsun Bluerird1,1190.1%+ 656.1%1480.0%13088Skoda S1051,0860.1%+ 748.4%1280.0%13689Toyota Lite-Ace1,0450.1%new00.0% –90Lada 1500/16009290.0%– 36.3%1,4590.1%8591Talbot 180 et 2 litres8550.0%– 41.1%1,4520.1%8692Morris Marina8080.0%+ 20.4%6710.0%10493Matra Bagheera7970.0%– 65.8%2,3300.1%7794Toyota Carina7870.0%+ 4.7%7520.0%10195Audi 2007720.0%new00.0% –96Polski 125P7250.0%– 39.5%1,1980.1%9097Datsun Cedric6940.0%+ 679.8%890.0%14398Porsche 9246710.0%+ 8.9%6160.0%10699Volvo 2456690.0%+ 15.7%5780.0%110100Austin Princess6570.0%– 46.4%1,2260.1%89101Mitsubishi Lancer6490.0%+ 16125.0%40.0%171102Ford Capri6190.0%– 43.8%1,1020.1%94103Polski Polonez6060.0%– 30.5%8720.0%98104Mercedes 2305710.0%– 3.7%5930.0%108105Skoda S1205500.0%+ 221.6%1710.0%128106Alpine A3105450.0%– 23.1%7090.0%103107Datsun Silvia5440.0%+ 54300.0%10.0%175108Zastava Contact5270.0%– 10.8%5910.0%109109Zastava Super5130.0%– 13.6%5940.0%107110Mercedes 2504990.0%– 80.2%2,5250.1%73111Fiat 1284930.0%– 81.9%2,7250.1%71112Toyota Corona4450.0%+ 71.8%2590.0%122113Buick4230.0%+ 277.7%1120.0%137114Sunbeam Avenger4150.0%new00.0% –115Oldsmobile3970.0%– 36.3%6230.0%105116Triumph Spitfire3480.0%– 61.4%9020.0%97117Zastava Nogaro3300.0%+ 522.6%530.0%154118BMW 6-Series2900.0%– 5.2%3060.0%117119Jaguar XJ2690.0%– 22.3%3460.0%114120Matra Murena2660.0%new00.0% –121Porsche 9112570.0%– 15.2%3030.0%118122Talbot 1307/13082570.0%– 98.8%21,6241.1%20123Datsun Laurel2540.0%– 11.5%2870.0%119124Alfa Romeo Alfa 62520.0%+ 165.3%950.0%140125Triumph TR72270.0%+ 74.6%1300.0%135126Lancia Gamma1910.0%– 47.5%3640.0%113127Mazda RX5/RX71820.0%+ 104.5%890.0%144128Range Rover1810.0%– 35.4%2800.0%120129Opel Senator1800.0%– 44.4%3240.0%115130Rover 35001620.0%– 41.9%2790.0%121131Renault Divers1530.0%+ 115.5%710.0%147132Mazda 1211520.0%– 38.0%2450.0%124133Datsun 260 Z/280 ZX1480.0%+ 78.3%830.0%145134Saab 9001470.0%– 28.3%2050.0%126135Ferrari1260.0%– 6.7%1350.0%134136Mitsubishi Galant1200.0%– 13.7%1390.0%132137Seat 1500 coupe1200.0%– 76.5%5100.0%111138Opel Monza1190.0%– 35.3%1840.0%127139Porsche 9281120.0%+ 17.9%950.0%141140Opel Commodore1050.0%– 72.7%3850.0%112141Chevrolet1030.0%– 23.7%1350.0%133142Mitsubishi Sapporo1030.0%+ 4.0%990.0%139143Peugeot Divers1030.0%+ 139.5%430.0%155144Mercedes Type G950.0%+ 37.7%690.0%149145Seat 133930.0%– 97.3%3,4880.2%64146Seat 127920.0%– 98.3%5,2930.3%54147Volvo 262/264/265820.0%– 41.4%1400.0%131148Alfa Romeo 2000690.0%+ 360.0%150.0%163149Pontiac640.0%+ 100.0%320.0%158150Vauxhall Cavalier610.0%– 81.1%3220.0%116151Daimler Sovereign570.0%+ 533.3%90.0%167152Land Rover560.0%– 5.1%590.0%152153Mercedes 500540.0%new00.0% –154Citroen Divers490.0%n/a00.0% –155Vauxhall Chevette430.0%– 82.6%2470.0%123156Mercedes 380340.0%new00.0% –157Saab 99320.0%+ 3100.0%10.0%177158AMC Pacer310.0%– 57.5%730.0%146159Daimler Double Six290.0%+ 866.7%30.0%172160Rolls Bentley290.0%+ 16.0%250.0%159161Cadillac270.0%– 52.6%570.0%153162Plymouth260.0%– 59.4%640.0%150163Mercedes 450230.0%– 88.8%2050.0%125164Talbot Divers210.0%– 77.2%920.0%142165Porsche 930 Turbo200.0%– 9.1%220.0%161166Vauxhall Carlton170.0%– 51.4%350.0%157167Chrysler US160.0%– 57.9%380.0%156168Datsun F2 100 A/F2 120 A160.0%– 98.6%1,1040.1%93169Ford US130.0%+ 8.3%120.0%165170Renault 15130.0%– 99.5%2,7580.1%70171Morgan120.0%– 7.7%130.0%164172AMC Divers90.0%– 10.0%100.0%166173Lotus80.0%– 55.6%180.0%162174Mazda 81870.0%– 99.3%9850.0%95175BMW M150.0%+ 400.0%10.0%174176Maserati50.0%– 37.5%80.0%169177Toyota Cressida50.0%– 95.1%1030.0%138178Citroen LN40.0%– 99.6%1,1160.1%91179Vauxhall Royale40.0%+ 100.0%20.0%173180Volvo 6640.0%– 99.7%1,2440.1%88181De Tomaso30.0%– 62.5%80.0%168182Toyota Crown30.0%– 87.5%240.0%160183Dodge10.0%n/a00.0% –184Renault 1710.0%– 99.9%7770.0%100185Seat 1200 coupe10.0%– 99.4%1570.0%129186VW Beetle10.0%– 98.6%700.0%148

Source: CCFA, L’Argus