It's the third best-selling car in history, behind only the Volkswagen Beetle and Model T Ford, selling more than eight million units in over 100 countries. It was manufactured or assembled in 28 different countries over a third of a century before finally ceasing production in 1994. In Spain, it was nicknamed "Cuatro Latas", in the former Yugoslavia it was called "Katcra", in Tunisia it was referred to as the "Monastir", in Zimbabwe it was known as the Noddy Car, in Argentina it earned the nickname "El Correcaminos", in Finland the "Tiparellu" and in Italy, the "Frog". Got it yet? Happy birthday to the Renault 4.
La Renault 4 came from the idea of a "blue jeans" car - not so much a people's car, but a car that transcended social boundaries. Like denim jeans which are worn the world over by all classes, Ragie Nationale des Usines Renault President Pierre Dreyfus called for the production of a versatile, inexpensive car with a worldwide calling which could match the changes in society which had been catalyzed in the peace following WW11.
Following a five-year incubation period, the Renault 4, the make's first front-wheel drive passenger car, was unveiled to the Press before going on display at the 1961 Paris Motor Show. A van and three saloon versions were launched simultaneously: the R3, which was dropped from the catalog the following year, the R4 and the R4L (the "L" standing for luxury), soon to become the household name for a model that lost no time in finding a place in the heart of the French public.
Its unrivaled interior, low running costs and ability to adapt to all types of use made it an instant hit. Just six years after its launch, Renault 4 production exceeded the million mark, and other records were broken as the car reached a total production figure of 8,135,424 in the course of its 31-year career.
The Renault 4 was a global success and was produced or assembled in no fewer than 27 countries (in addition to France), some as far afield as Australia, South Africa, Chile and the Philippines. Indeed, six in ten sales were outside of Renault's home market. During its illustrious career, the Renault 4 was made in several different versions, including a van, a four-wheel drive vehicle and a cabriolet. Other variants, such as the Rodeo, and a long list of limited editions were also released, the best known of which in France were the Parisienne (1963), the Safari (1975), the Jogging (1981) and the Sixties (1985).
Meanwhile, the model benefited from its own off-road racing championship and was a favorite means of transport for young people itching to explore the world. It was also seen on such celebrated motorsport events as the Monte Carlo Rally and Paris-Dakar. It even finished the celebrated African rally-raid on the podium one year.
In 1992, a numbered special edition farewell version "Bye-Bye" was released to salute the incredible success of the model, which continued to be manufactured in small numbers in Slovenia and Morocco until 1994.
To celebrate the model's 50th anniversary, Renault plans to stage and take part in a long list of important events throughout 2011. The key dates on the calendar can be found on the Renault site.
1. Toyota Corolla: (1966- ) - 32,000,000
2. Ford F-Series: (1948- ) - 30,000,000
3. Volkswagen Golf:(1974- ) - 25,000,000
4. Volkswagen Beetle: (1938- ) - 22,300,000
5. Ford Escort: (1968-2000) - 20,000,000
6. Honda Civic: (1972- ) - 17,730,000
7. Ford Model T: (1908-1927) - 16,500,000
8. Honda Accord: (1976- ) - 15,800,000
9. Volkswagen Passat: (1973- ) - 14,100,000
10. Chevrolet Impala: (1958- ) - 14,000,000
11. Ford Fiesta: (1976- ) - 12,500,000
12. Vauxhall/Opel Corsa: (1982- ) - 12,000,000
13. Oldsmobile Cutlass: (1961-99) - 11,900,000
14. Chrysler Voyager: (1984- ) - 11,700,000
15. Toyota Camry: (1983- ) - 10,500,000
16. Mazda 323: (1963-2003) - 10,480,000
17. Vauxhall/Opel Astra: (1991- ) - 10,000,000
18. BMW 3-Series: (1977- ) - 9,800,000
19. Fiat Uno: (1983- ) - 9,150,000
20. Renault Clio: (1991- ) - 8,900,000
21. Renault 5: (1972-1996) - 8,800,000
22. Ford Mustang: (1964- ) - 8,300,000
23. Renault 4: (1961-1992) - 8,150,000 (*)
24. Fiat Punto: (1993- ) - 6,800,000
25. Ford Taurus: (1986- ) - 6,750,000
26. BMC/BL/BMW Mini: (1959- ) - 6,700,000
27. Vauxhall/Opel Vectra: (1988-2008) - 6,500,000
28. Chevrolet Cavalier: (1982-2005) - 6,200,000
29. Peugeot 206: (1998-2007) - 6,100,000
30. Buick Le Sabre: (1959-2005) - 6,000,000
31. Nissan Sunny: (1966- ) - 5,900,000
32. Ford Explorer: (1991- ) - 5,700,00
33. Mitsubishi Galant: (1969- ) - 5,550,000
34. Ford Focus: (1998- ) - 5,500,000
35. Ford Crown Victoria: (1980- ) - 5,500,000
36. Toyota Land Cruiser: (1953- ) - 5,300,000
37. Peugeot 205: (1983-1998) - 5,278,000
38. Ford E-Series: (1961- ) - 5,200,000
39. Ford Ranger: (1983- ) - 5,150,000
40. Chevrolet Camaro: (1967-2002) - 4,800,000
41. Fiat 126: (1973-2000) - 4,671,586
42. Opel Ascona: (1970-1988) - 4,400,000
43. Ford Model A: (1927-31) - 4,320,446
44. Ford Cortina: (1962-1982) - 4,279,079
45. Pontiac Grand Am: (1973-2005) - 4,000,000
46. Fiat 500: (1957- ) - 3,900,000
47. Citroen 2CV: (1948-1990) - 3,872,583
48. Fiat 127: (1971-1983) - 3,750,000
49. Peugeot 504: (1968-2005) - 3,713,400
50. Peugeot 405 (1988-1997) - 3,461,800
Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-50-Best-Selling-Cars-Of-All-Time
This is the first time I\'ve heard of the Renault 4. I\'ve never seen a car that could have been one of these. Of the 100 countries they exported this car to, they apparently did not export this model to the USA.
If memory serves the 2 digit month is MM and the 2 digit minute is mm...