19 September 2002: Europe’s most popular car is now the Peugeot 206, and the French car has knocked the VW Golf from the top spot.

The Automotive Industry Data consultancy reported today that the Peugeot car now has 4.2 per cent of the European market, while the Golf is just marginally behind in the share stakes with 4.1 percent.

The Golf, however, has reached the end of its current model cycle, and will be replaced at the end of next year. The first product on the new Golf family platform is the Touran, which will be featured at next week’s Paris Show.

The Peugeot-Citroen PSA Group has a stronger model lineup at the moment and its sales are reflecting this, but AID expects the VW Group to improve again next year.