28 January 2015

Renault Car Production By Model : 1980-89

Renault started the decade with a better production total than it finished with. In 1980 it had six models exceeding 100,000 but only three within that ten years. The successful R5 was still selling well but had understandably slipped. The R19 replaced the R9/11 with less success as it's predecessor. The 21 replaced the R18 with the same result. The R25 matched the R20/30 but that's all. The rest were older models lingering.

After the production numbers below is a brief summary of models that came out in this period.



R5 R19 R21 R25 R4 R12 R9







R11

1980 710,729 - - - 241,644 121,971 -

1981 625,413 - - - 177,660 72,354 73,618

1982 531,382 - - - 182,246 44,976 488,550

1983 456,659 - - - 173,902 52,011 815,482

1984 352,542 - - 118,561 127,658 44,278 728,965

1985 498,216 - - 136,971 105,965 29,232 561,193

1986 516,105 - 283,779 99,822 88,292 38,462 424,915

1987 550,697 - 370,349 95,869 76,950 51,655 384,634

1988 599,169 122,027 325,919 103,445 70,260 49,614 261,709

1989 557,191 536,040 279,147 96,022 62,882 50,143 48,167



Espace R18 R6 R20 R14 Total



Fuego
R30

1980 - 427,762 29,255 104,447 201,894 1,837,702

1981 - 398,704 19,321 79,154 133,703 1,579,927

1982 - 340,536 12,935 74,368 68,717 1,743,710

1983 - 278,541 13,622 52,034 4,206 1,846,457

1984 5,745 194,962 5,535 241 - 1,578,487

1985 14,160 102,879 2,826 - 1,451,442

1986 19,398 37,048 1,689 - - 1,509,510

1987 23,482 19,396 - - - 1,573,032

1988 31,693 14,586 - - - 1,578,422

1989 44,024 11,322 - - - 1,684,938

Data source: Freyssenet.com

R25: This executive car was the top of the range for Renault. It was aerodynamic and a nice drive but if people wanted a more premium car, they wanted the badge too.

The R25 was quite nicely styled

Espace: The MPV was originally designed by Chrysler UK, the company was sold to PSA before it could go any further. They didn't want to develop it and it was handed on the Matra, who made it for Renault. It took a while to be accepted, as new ideas often do.

R21: As a large family car, it replaced the R18 and was moderately successful. I thought the design was ordinary.

R19: It replaced the R9/11 ands was the last Renault to go by a number. It was a reasonably good car and sold reasonably well.

The R19 was pleasant and but perhaps too much so

Summary: Renault cars had become less exciting and exciting was the reason for buying a French car. A more flamboyant approach was needed, and soon.