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%Pos1Renault804,26739.1%+ 12.9%712,66738.8%12Peugeot261,39412.7%+ 2.0%256,28714.0%33Citroen248,97512.1%– 4.3%260,28614.2%24Ford132,8156.5%+ 31.1%101,3325.5%55Talbot109,2015.3%+ 28.6%84,9204.6%66Volkswagen100,6854.9%– 1.2%101,9295.6%47Fiat83,9954.1%+ 29.5%64,8423.5%78Opel51,5412.5%+ 51.6%34,0001.9%89BMW33,4671.6%+ 36.5%24,5211.3%1010Alfa Romeo31,7611.5%+ 27.4%24,9231.4%911Austin24,8311.2%+ 47.1%16,8830.9%1312Audi23,7251.2%+ 17.0%20,2831.1%1113Lada23,6131.1%+ 22.2%19,3241.1%1214Mercedes17,8530.9%+ 9.8%16,2580.9%1415Datsun17,7260.9%+ 28.2%13,8220.8%1516Mazda15,3830.7%+ 22.4%12,5680.7%1617Toyota13,5150.7%+ 28.6%10,5090.6%1718Volvo10,8970.5%+ 11.3%9,7890.5%1819Autobianchi9,6200.5%+ 3.3%9,3170.5%1920Honda9,1430.4%+ 37.5%6,6490.4%2121Lancia7,7360.4%– 8.0%8,4070.5%2022Mitsubishi4,0320.2%+ 25.5%3,2130.2%2423Skoda3,8450.2%– 1.2%3,8920.2%2224Triumph3,5910.2%+ 478.3%6210.0%3225Rover2,6030.1%+ 9.1%2,3850.1%2626Talbot Matra2,3180.1%– 34.7%3,5510.2%2327Polski1,8830.1%+ 14.9%1,6390.1%2728Porsche1,5380.1%+ 19.9%1,2830.1%2929MG1,0100.0%new00.0% –30Innocenti8380.0%– 72.6%3,0600.2%2531Zastava7590.0%– 36.9%1,2030.1%3032Alpine Renault7010.0%+ 32.8%5280.0%3333Saab3340.0%– 4.6%3500.0%3534Buick2490.0%– 30.6%3590.0%3435Ferrari1400.0%+ 27.3%1100.0%3836Jaguar1120.0%– 34.1%1700.0%3737Talbot Sunbeam910.0%– 94.0%1,5290.1%2838Morris490.0%– 93.8%7920.0%3139Daimler470.0%– 44.7%850.0%3940Jeep260.0%n/a00.0% –41Dodge210.0%– 16.0%250.0%4342Lotus200.0%+ 150.0%80.0%5043Oldsmobile200.0%– 91.6%2380.0%3644Morgan110.0%+ 10.0%100.0%4745Rolls-Royce/Bentley110.0%– 42.1%190.0%4646Maserati80.0%+ 14.3%70.0%5147Chevrolet70.0%– 73.1%260.0%4248De Tomaso70.0%– 22.2%90.0%4849Ford USA40.0%– 81.8%220.0%4450American Motors30.0%– 84.2%190.0%4551Plymouth30.0%– 50.0%60.0%5252Pontiac30.0%– 89.7%290.0%4053Chrysler20.0%– 92.6%270.0%4154Lamborghini10.0%n/a00.0% –55Seat10.0%– 88.9%90.0%49

France Full Year 1982 – models:

PosModel1982%/811981%Pos1Renault 5272,24913.2%– 4.1%283,78515.5%12Renault 9199,8489.7%+ 407.0%39,4192.1%143Renault 18146,2207.1%– 11.5%165,2209.0%24Peugeot 305108,6485.3%+ 8.0%100,5655.5%45Citroen Visa95,0704.6%+ 14.9%82,7074.5%56Peugeot 10490,8564.4%– 11.1%102,2505.6%37Renault 469,5623.4%– 1.1%70,3303.8%78Ford Escort59,1692.9%+ 33.6%44,2782.4%119Renault 2056,8752.8%+ 1.6%55,9753.1%1010Citroen GSA55,8932.7%– 21.3%71,0413.9%611Peugeot 50554,7082.7%+ 40.5%38,9422.1%1612VW Golf51,0502.5%– 15.8%60,6043.3%913Ford Fiesta46,7622.3%+ 39.5%33,5321.8%1714Talbot Samba44,4522.2%+ 670.9%5,7660.3%4715Renault 1442,9032.1%– 38.9%70,2543.8%816Talbot Horizon37,3291.8%– 4.7%39,1822.1%1517Citroen 2 CV36,4531.8%– 15.9%43,3682.4%1218Fiat Ritmo32,5191.6%+ 29.4%25,1311.4%1819Citroen CX32,3471.6%– 19.2%40,0222.2%1320Opel Ascona25,3631.2%+ 156.9%9,8740.5%3421Fiat Panda24,6371.2%+ 50.3%16,3890.9%2422BMW 3 Series19,9241.0%+ 17.0%17,0330.9%2323Opel Kadett18,9590.9%+ 1.1%18,7491.0%2224VW Polo18,0730.9%+ 74.8%10,3420.6%3025Talbot Solara17,9920.9%– 14.6%21,0561.1%2026Austin Metro16,7410.8%+ 150.8%6,6760.4%4227Alfa Romeo Alfasud16,4010.8%+ 8.6%15,1060.8%2528Fiat 12715,6050.8%+ 55.1%10,0600.5%3329Audi 8014,9930.7%+ 43.0%10,4830.6%2930Citroen LNA14,4300.7%– 1.4%14,6330.8%2631VW Jetta13,9110.7%– 2.9%14,3230.8%2732VW Passat13,5490.7%+ 34.3%10,0890.5%3233Renault Fuego13,3440.6%– 42.4%23,1781.3%1934Lada 210512,6000.6%new00.0% –35Ford Sierra11,8950.6%new00.0% –36BMW 5 Series11,4990.6%+ 112.5%5,4110.3%4937Mazda 32311,2820.5%+ 24.3%9,0780.5%3738Ford Taunus9,7830.5%– 51.1%19,9991.1%2139Citroen BX8,9650.4%new00.0% –40Alfa Romeo Giulietta8,7770.4%+ 81.1%4,8460.3%5041Austin Mini7,9920.4%– 13.0%9,1910.5%3642Fiat 1317,6420.4%– 13.4%8,8280.5%3843Autobianchi A1127,5440.4%+ 16.3%6,4860.4%4544Volvo 343/3457,4050.4%+ 13.2%6,5410.4%4445Lada 12007,0030.3%+ 4.4%6,7110.4%4146Talbot 15106,5870.3%– 46.8%12,3780.7%2847Alfa Romeo Alfetta6,3740.3%+ 34.4%4,7420.3%5148Mercedes 2406,3540.3%+ 14.5%5,5500.3%4849Datsun Cherry6,2910.3%– 8.2%6,8520.4%4050Audi 1006,1170.3%– 4.2%6,3880.3%4651Citroen Dyane5,7490.3%– 31.1%8,3480.5%3952Lancia Delta4,3160.2%+ 189.7%1,4900.1%8653Datsun Bluebird4,1920.2%+ 48.2%2,8280.2%6354Mercedes 200/2204,0520.2%– 5.3%4,2780.2%5455Peugeot 5044,0210.2%– 60.5%10,1870.6%3156Ford Granada3,8950.2%+ 25.3%3,1080.2%6057Honda Civic3,8930.2%+ 16.9%3,3310.2%5958VW Scirocco3,8150.2%– 0.4%3,8310.2%5659Triumph Acclaim3,4980.2%+ 26807.7%130.0%17060Opel Corsa3,3900.2%new00.0% –61Renault 303,2110.2%– 26.3%4,3590.2%5262Peugeot 6043,1580.2%– 26.9%4,3200.2%5363Mitsubishi Colt3,0450.1%+ 27.8%2,3830.1%6764Toyota Tercel3,0280.1%+ 263.1%8340.0%9765Mercedes 3003,0140.1%+ 14.3%2,6370.1%6566Lada Niva 4×42,9910.1%+ 58.8%1,8840.1%7567Honda Accord2,9900.1%+ 92.4%1,5540.1%8368Talbot Tagora2,7530.1%– 34.2%4,1810.2%5569Datsun Stanza2,7100.1%new00.0% –70Toyota Lite-Ace2,4830.1%+ 10.9%2,2390.1%7071Mercedes 2302,3920.1%+ 38.3%1,7300.1%7972Volvo 2442,2610.1%– 9.2%2,4900.1%6673Toyota Corolla2,2390.1%– 37.4%3,5770.2%5774Skoda S1052,2220.1%– 1.7%2,2600.1%6975Opel Rekord2,2210.1%– 37.5%3,5530.2%5876Mazda 6262,2050.1%+ 21.5%1,8150.1%7877Datsun Sunny2,1330.1%+ 14.8%1,8580.1%7678Toyota Celica2,1100.1%+ 83.3%1,1510.1%9279Autobianchi Elegant2,0760.1%– 26.7%2,8310.2%6280Fiat Argenta2,0580.1%+ 197.4%6920.0%10181Lancia Beta2,0460.1%– 68.7%6,5420.4%4382BMW 7 Series1,8170.1%+ 0.1%1,8160.1%7783Datsun Cedric1,8170.1%+ 14.8%1,5830.1%8284Toyota Starlet1,7960.1%– 14.0%2,0880.1%7285Mazda 9291,7770.1%+ 18.9%1,4940.1%8586Skoda S1201,6230.1%– 0.6%1,6320.1%8187Mercedes 2801,6010.1%– 4.5%1,6760.1%8088Honda Quintet1,5190.1%+ 62.6%9340.1%9589Polski Polonez1,4730.1%+ 28.0%1,1510.1%9190Audi GT5 / GT5S1,2910.1%– 40.3%2,1620.1%7191Lancia Trevi1,2510.1%+ 350.0%2780.0%11992Matra Rancho1,2500.1%– 19.6%1,5540.1%8493Opel Manta1,1380.1%– 15.8%1,3520.1%8794Matra Murena1,0680.1%– 46.4%1,9940.1%7495Lada 1500/16001,0150.0%– 9.1%1,1160.1%9396MG Metro1,0100.0%new00.0% –97Rover 26001,0050.0%– 25.2%1,3430.1%8998Volvo 2458930.0%+ 27.9%6980.0%10099Fiat 1268750.0%– 56.2%1,9980.1%73100Innocenti Mini8680.0%– 71.6%3,0600.2%61101Toyota Carina8530.0%+ 61.9%5270.0%108102Honda Prelude7410.0%– 10.7%8300.0%99103Audi Quattro7230.0%+ 249.3%2070.0%125104Alpine A3107010.0%+ 32.8%5280.0%107105Toyota Cressida6420.0%new00.0% –106Porsche 9246160.0%– 30.7%8890.0%96107Audi 2006000.0%– 42.5%1,0430.1%94108Mitsubishi Lancer5900.0%+ 2.6%5750.0%104109Rover 23005110.0%– 38.7%8330.0%98110Porsche 9445080.0%+ 16833.3%30.0%186111Fiat 1324970.0%– 63.0%1,3430.1%88112Rover 24004430.0%new00.0% –113Polski 125P4100.0%– 16.0%4880.0%110114Zastava Super3790.0%– 28.1%5270.0%109115Rover 20003770.0%new00.0% –116Toyota Land Cruiser3640.0%+ 527.6%580.0%146117Saab 9003330.0%– 0.9%3360.0%116118Porsche 9113220.0%+ 14.2%2820.0%117119Ford Capri3110.0%– 25.1%4150.0%111120Mitsubishi Galant3080.0%+ 41.9%2170.0%124121Zastava Contact2860.0%– 49.0%5610.0%105122VW Iltis2580.0%new00.0% –123Mercedes 5002530.0%+ 75.7%1440.0%129124Datsun Patrol2500.0%new00.0% –125Buick2490.0%– 30.6%3590.0%113126Datsun Silvia2420.0%– 56.2%5520.0%106127Opel Senator2420.0%+ 7.1%2260.0%123128Volvo 7602340.0%new00.0% –129BMW 6 Series2240.0%– 7.8%2430.0%121130Range Rover2120.0%+ 59.4%1330.0%130131Opel Monza1610.0%+ 25.8%1280.0%132132Ferrari1400.0%+ 27.3%1100.0%137133Lancia Gamma1230.0%+ 5.1%1170.0%135134Alfa Romeo 20001190.0%+ 20.2%990.0%139135Fiat 1281180.0%– 70.6%4020.0%112136Jaguar XJ1020.0%– 40.0%1700.0%127137Austin Allegro980.0%– 85.5%6770.0%102138Porsche 928920.0%– 15.6%1090.0%138139Triumph TR7900.0%– 65.0%2570.0%120140Mazda RX5/RX7890.0%+ 345.0%200.0%163141Mitsubishi Sapporo890.0%+ 134.2%380.0%152142Zastava Yugo890.0%new00.0% –143Alfa Romeo Alfa 6880.0%– 32.3%1300.0%131144Sunbeam880.0%– 92.9%1,2480.1%90145Talbot 1100860.0%– 96.3%2,3270.1%68146Datsun 280 ZX810.0%+ 9.5%740.0%144147Volvo 360800.0%new00.0% –148Mercedes 380740.0%+ 39.6%530.0%148149Mercedes Type G740.0%– 14.9%870.0%142150Opel Commodore670.0%– 43.2%1180.0%134151Citroen Divers570.0%+ 32.6%430.0%151152Morris Ital470.0%– 92.0%5910.0%103153Renault Divers470.0%– 46.0%870.0%143154Fiat 124440.0%new00.0% –155Mercedes 250390.0%– 59.4%960.0%140156Land Rover360.0%– 18.2%440.0%150157Mazda 121290.0%– 81.6%1580.0%128158Daimler Sovereign270.0%– 51.8%560.0%147159Jeep260.0%n/a00.0% –160Volvo 262/264/265240.0%– 59.3%590.0%145161Dodge210.0%– 16.0%250.0%160162Daimler Double Six200.0%– 31.0%290.0%155163Lotus200.0%+ 150.0%80.0%176164Oldsmobile200.0%– 91.6%2380.0%122165Rover 3500190.0%– 40.6%320.0%154166Citroen LN180.0%+ 200.0%60.0%180167VW Derby150.0%– 99.4%2,7110.1%64168Citroen GS130.0%– 89.0%1180.0%133169Morgan110.0%+ 10.0%100.0%173170Rolls Bentley110.0%– 42.1%190.0%165171Maserati80.0%+ 14.3%70.0%178172Chevrolet70.0%– 73.1%260.0%159173De Tomaso70.0%– 22.2%90.0%174174Jaguar Sovereign70.0%new00.0% –175Renault 1270.0%– 81.1%370.0%153176Datsun Divers60.0%n/a00.0% –177Zastava Nogaro50.0%– 95.7%1150.0%136178Ford US40.0%– 81.8%220.0%162179Lada 130040.0%– 100.0%9,6130.5%35180AMC Divers30.0%– 84.2%190.0%164181Datsun Laurel30.0%– 93.3%450.0%149182Jaguar Vanden Plas30.0%new00.0% –183Plymouth30.0%– 50.0%60.0%181184Pontiac30.0%– 89.7%290.0%157185Sunbeam Lotus30.0%– 98.9%2810.0%118186Triumph Spitfire30.0%– 99.1%3510.0%114187BMW Divers20.0%n/a00.0% –188Chrysler20.0%– 92.6%270.0%158189Morris Marina20.0%– 99.0%2010.0%126190Peugeot 30420.0%– 83.3%120.0%171191Renault 1620.0%– 91.3%230.0%161192VW Divers20.0%– 60.0%50.0%182193BMW M110.0%– 85.7%70.0%177194Datsun F2 100 A/F2 120 A10.0%+ 0.0%10.0%188195Lamborghini10.0%n/a00.0% –196Mazda 81810.0%– 66.7%30.0%185197Peugeot Divers10.0%– 90.9%110.0%172198Saab 9910.0%– 92.9%140.0%168199Seat Divers10.0%– 88.9%90.0%175200Talbot 1307/130810.0%– 93.8%160.0%167201Talbot Divers10.0%– 92.9%140.0%169

Source: L’Argus, CCFA