List of best-selling automobiles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Since the introduction of the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1886, some passenger cars and light trucks can claim to being the highest selling vehicles in the automobile markets.
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While references to verify the manufacturers' claims have been included, there is always the possibility of inaccuracy or hyperbole. A single vehicle can be sold concurrently under several nameplates in different markets, as with, for example, the Nissan Sunny; in such circumstances, manufacturers often provide only cumulative units sold figures for all models. As a result, there is no definitive standard for measuring units sold; Chrysler minivans has sold over 16 million worldwide, while Volkswagen has claimed its Beetle is the best-selling car in history, as it did not substantially change throughout its production run.[1] By contrast, Toyota has applied the Corolla nameplate to 12 generations since 1966, which have sold over 50 million through 2021.[2]
World's bestsellers
*All sales figures are shown in millions
| Image | Nameplate | Production | Units sold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Toyota Corolla | 1966–present | 50 | |
 |
Ford F-Series | 1948–present | 43 | |
 |
Volkswagen Golf | 1974–present | 37 | |
 |
Volkswagen Passat | 1973–present | 34 | |
_–_f_30062024.jpg) |
Honda Civic | 1972–present | 28 | |
_Ascent_sedan_(2018-08-27)_01.jpg) |
Toyota Camry | 1982–present | 22 | |
_–_f_30012023.jpg) |
Ford Fiesta | 1976–2023 | 22 | |
 |
Volkswagen Beetle | 1938–2003 | 21.5 | |
 |
Toyota Hilux | 1968–present | 21 | |
 |
Honda Accord | 1976–present | 19.5 | |
Three cars have been widely acknowledged as the "bestselling automobile in the world" since Ford built its millionth Model T on December 10, 1915. The Model T itself remained the highest seller until forty five years after production ceased in 1927. On February 17, 1972, Volkswagen claimed that the Ford had been surpassed by the Beetle, when the 15,007,034th was manufactured.[1] Although the Model T has subsequently been credited with 16.5 million units sold, the error is inconsequential in light of the Beetle reaching 21 million.[5] The Model T was eventually surpassed within Ford by the Ford F-Series, a pickup truck that is directly descended from the Model T roadster pickup.
The Beetle remained the bestselling vehicle in the car industry until the late 1990s,[6] when it was overtaken by the more modern and efficient Toyota Corolla.[7] However, this was an example of the modern practice of applying a brand name across a wide range of vehicles, and retaining it for marketing purposes even as the car changes drastically.[8] While the first Corolla in 1966 was rear-wheel drive and rode on a 2286 mm wheelbase, the current hybrid and all-wheel drive models share a 2640 mm wheelbase and use a mechanically unrelated platform.[9] Sales of the Beetle were also surpassed by its successor nameplate, the Volkswagen Golf.
| Image | Automobile | Production | Record period | Units sold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Ford Model T | 1908–1927 | 1915–1972 | 16,500,000[10] | The first car to achieve one million, five million, ten million and fifteen million units sold.[10] In 1914, it was estimated that nine out of every ten cars in the world were Fords.[citation needed] |
 |
Volkswagen Beetle | 1938–2003 | 1972–1997 | 21,529,464[5] | The first car to achieve twenty million units sold.[1] |
_in_Blue_Flame,_front_left.jpg) |
Toyota Corolla | 1966–present | 1997–present | 50,000,000 by 2021[2] | The 50 million milestone was reached in 2021. However, the nameplate has been applied on twelve different generations of cars.[2] |
Brand bestsellers
Current brands
| Brand | Image | Automobile | Production | Units sold and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo |  |
Alfa Romeo Alfasud | 1972–1989 | 1,017,387.[11] |
| Alpine |  |
Alpine A110 (2017) | 2017–present | 18,985.[12][13] |
| Aston Martin |  |
Aston Martin DBX | 2020–present | 10,675 to end of 2023.[14][15][16][17] |
| Audi |  |
Audi A4 | 1994–2025 | Over 7,500,000 to 2019[18] |
| Baojun |  |
Baojun 510 | 2017–2025 | 972,042 to 2021.[19] Notable for being a highest-selling newly introduced automobile nameplate in world's history.[20] |
| BMW | _–_Frontansicht,_24._Juni_2012,_Düsseldorf.jpg) |
BMW 3 Series | 1975–present | Over 18,000,000 to 2025[21]. |
| Buick |  |
Buick LeSabre | 1959–2005 | Over 6,000,000.[22] |
| Bugatti |  |
Bugatti Type 40 | 1926–1930 | Approximately 800.[23] |
| BYD |  |
BYD F3 | 2005–2022 | 1,684,904, excluding exports.[24] |
| Cadillac |  |
Cadillac De Ville | 1959–2005 | Approximately 3,870,000 excluding early Series 62 hardtops, 1981–1988, 1991–93, and 2000–05. (Total production for those periods is unknown, but a good guess is over 1,300,000.)[25][26] |
| Chevrolet | .jpg) |
Chevrolet Impala | 1958–1985 1994–1996 2000–2020 |
Over 16,500,000[27] |
| Chrysler | .jpg) |
Chrysler Newport | 1961–1981 | Approximately 1,920,000 (excluding early Newport hardtops).[25][26] |
| Citroën |  |
Citroën 2CV | 1948–1990 | 3,872,583. Including commercial variants, the total figure is approximately nine million[28] |
| Dacia |  |
Dacia Sandero | 2008–present | over 2,700,000 (includes the Stepway version). |
| De Tomaso | ,_front_right.jpg) |
De Tomaso Pantera | 1970–1991 | 7,260 produced over a single generation[29] |
| Dodge |  |
Dodge Coronet | 1949–1959 1965–1976 |
Approximately 2,060,000 in six generations not counting 1949–53 four-doors, 1953 coupés, Dodge Chargers and Super Bees. (Production of 1949–53 four-doors and 1953 coupés is unknown but a reasonable guess is about 400,000 total.) |
| Ferrari | Unknown | Ferrari doesn't publish official sales figures for many of their models. | ||
| Fiat |  |
Fiat Uno | 1983–2021 | Approximately 8,800,000 worldwide to 2004. Sold over six million in Western Europe before being replaced by the Punto in 1995, while production continued in South Africa, Poland and Brazil.[30] |
| Ford |  |
Ford F-Series | 1948–present | Over 40,000,000. America's bestselling vehicle for 40 consecutive years;[31] 33,900,000 in 12 generations to May 2010.[32] |
| Haval | .jpg) |
Haval H6 | 2012–present | 3,892,260 between 2012 and 2022, excluding exports.[33] |
| Hindustan |  |
Hindustan Ambassador | 1958–2014 | Almost 4,000,000.[34] |
| Honda |  |
Honda Civic | 1972–present | Over 27,000,000 up to 2021.[35] |
| Hyundai |  |
Hyundai Elantra | 1990–present | 14,400,000 up to 2022.[36] |
| Jaguar | _(cropped).jpg) |
Jaguar XJ | 1968–2019 | 800,000 up to 2005.[37] |
| Jeep | .jpg) |
Jeep Wrangler | 1986–present | Over 5,000,000 to 2023.[38] |
| Koenigsegg | .jpg) |
Koenigsegg Jesko | 2021–present | 125.[39] |
| Lada/AvtoVAZ |  |
Lada Riva VAZ-2105/04/07 |
1980–2014 | 13,500,000 until exports to Europe were discontinued in 1997. Production continued in Egypt until 2014.[40][41][42] |
| Lamborghini |  |
Lamborghini Urus | 2018–present | over 20,000[43] |
| Lancia | _–_Frontansicht,_30._Juli_2012,_Düsseldorf.jpg) |
Lancia Ypsilon | 1996–present | over 870,000 to 2005.[44] |
| Land Rover |  |
Series/Defender | 1948–2016 | over 2,000,000 (approx)[45] |
| Lincoln | ,_front_left.jpg) |
Lincoln Town Car | 1981–2011 | Approximately 2,290,000 not counting 2005–2011. (Production of 2005–2011 is unknown, but a reasonable guess is about 160,000.)[26][46] |
| Lotus |  |
Lotus Elise | 1996–2021 | over 35,000 produced over two generations to 2021.[47] |
| Maserati |  |
Maserati GranTurismo | 2007–present | 40,250 up to 2019[48] |
| Mazda | _Protegé_Shades_sedan_(2015-08-07)_01.jpg) |
Mazda Familia | 1963–2003 | Over 10,000,000 up to 1995.[49] |
| Mercedes-Benz |  |
Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1993–present | 10,500,000 to February 2021.[50] |
| Mitsubishi |  |
Mitsubishi Lancer | 1973–2017 | Over 6,000,000 to the end of 2006.[51] Production continues in Taiwan and China |
| Nissan |  |
Nissan Sunny/Sentra/Pulsar/Almera | 1966–present | Over 15,900,000.[40] Ten generations, and four nameplates depending on marketplace. |
| Opel/Vauxhall |  |
Opel Corsa | 1982–present | Over 18,000,000 sold worldwide in 25 years, in the four generations up to 2007. 10 million were sold only in Europe alone.[52] The best-selling car in the world in 1998, surpassing the Toyota Corolla with 910,839 sales, at that time being produced in four continents, and was sold under five marques with five different body styles.[53] |
| Perodua | ,_Kuala_Lumpur.jpg) |
Perodua Myvi | 2005–present | 1,400,000 since 2005 up to 2023.[54] |
| Peugeot |  |
Peugeot 206 | 1998–2013 | Approximately 10,000,000 to 2018 in a single generation.[55] |
| Porsche |  |
Porsche 911 | 1963–present | 1,000,000 produced up to 2017.[56] |
| Proton | _1.3S_4-door_saloon_(19638569848).jpg) |
Proton Saga | 1985–present | 1,900,000 since 1985. |
| Renault | _–_f_02092025.jpg) |
Renault Clio | 1990–present | 17,000,000 across five generations up to 2025.[57][58] |
| Rolls-Royce |  |
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow | 1965–1980 | 29,030 produced over a single generation.[59] |
| SEAT |  |
SEAT Ibiza | 1984–present | 3,949,597 up to 2008.[60] The sales of the fourth generation of the SEAT Ibiza, as well as those of its derivatives (such as the SEAT Córdoba and the SEAT Inca, or the rebadged versions) are not included in the figures. |
| Smart | _pulse_coupe_(2012-10-26).jpg) |
Smart Fortwo | 1998–2024 | Over 1,700,000 by early 2015.[61][62] |
| Subaru |  |
Subaru Legacy | 1988–2025 | Over 3,600,000 to 2008.[63][64] |
| Škoda |  |
Škoda Octavia | 1996–present | Over 6,000,000 to 2016.[65] |
| Tatuus |  |
Tatuus FR2000 | 2000–2007 | Approximately 930 chassis.[66][67] |
| Toyota |  |
Toyota Corolla | 1966–present | 50,000,000 up to 2021[2] |
| Tesla |  |
Tesla Model Y | 2020–present | 2,160,000 up to December 2023[68] |
| Volkswagen |  |
Volkswagen Golf | 1974–present | 37,000,000 across seven generations by 2023.[69] Became Volkswagen's bestseller in 2002.[70] |
| Volvo |  |
Volvo 200 Series | 1974–1993 | 2,862,573 saloon, estate and coupé models over a spell of 19 years.[71] |
| ZAZ |  |
Zaporozhets | 1960–1994 | 3,422,444.[72] |
Defunct brands
| Brand | Image | Automobile | Production | Units sold & notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Motors |  |
AMC Hornet | 1970–1977 | Approximately 860,000.[25][26] |
| Autobianchi |  |
Autobianchi A112 | 1969–1986 | 1,254,178.[73] |
| Checker |  |
Checker Marathon | 1961–1982 | 10,559 not counting taxicabs and private sales for 1961–63, 1976 and 1980–82 (private sales for 1961–62, 1976 and 1980–82 are unknown).[25][26] |
| Continental |  |
Continental Mark II | 1956–1957 | 3,012 (only car produced by the short lived Continental division of the Ford Motor Company).[25] |
| Crosley |  |
Crosley | 1939–1942 1946–1949 |
62,210 before introduction of series names in 1950 (does not include 1949 Hot Shot).[25][74] |
| DeSoto | .jpg) |
DeSoto Custom | 1939–1942 1946–1952 |
Approximately 570,000.[25][74] |
| Eagle | .jpg) |
Eagle Talon | 1990–1998 | Approximately 200,000.[75] |
| Edsel |  |
Edsel Ranger | 1958–1960 | 50,803.[25] |
| Excalibur |  |
Excalibur Series II | 1970–1982 | 2,230.[76] |
| Facel |  |
Facellia | 1960–1964 | 1,500[77] |
| Frazer | _(cropped).jpg) |
Frazer Standard | 1947–1951 | Approximately 90,000.[25] |
| FSO |  |
FSO 125p | 1967–1991 | 1,445,699[78] |
| Henry J |  |
Henry J Deluxe | 1951–1954 | 43,400.[25] |
| Holden | _Omega_sedan_(2010-10-19)_01.jpg) |
Holden Commodore | 1978–2019 | 3,130,000 to 2013.[79] |
| Hudson | .jpg) |
Hudson Super Six | 1916–1928 1933 1940–1942 1946–1951 |
Approximately 600,000 not counting 1916–17 and 1940–42. (Production for 1916–17 and 1940–42 is unknown but a reasonable guess is about 80,000.)[25][74] |
| Imperial |  |
Imperial Crown | 1957–1970 | Approximately 127,000.[25] |
| Kaiser | .jpg) |
Kaiser Deluxe | 1949–1953 | Approximately 130,000.[25] |
| Mercury |  |
Mercury Cougar | 1967–1997
1999–2002 |
2,972,784, excludes Ford Cougar sold in Europe and Australia. |
| Messerschmitt |  |
Messerschmitt KR200 | 1955–1964 | 30,286 |
| Metropolitan |  |
Metropolitan | 1958–1961 | 55,215 as a separate marque under AMC.[80] |
| Nash |  |
Nash Statesman | 1950–1956 | Approximately 340,000.[25] |
| Oldsmobile |  |
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme | 1961–1999 | 11,900,000 across several platforms and generations.[81] |
| Packard |  |
Packard Eight | 1933–1936 1938 1942 1948–1950 |
Approximately 250,000.[25][74] |
| Peel |  |
Peel Trident | 1965–1966 | 82 in a single generation.[82] |
| Plymouth | .jpg) |
Plymouth Fury | 1959–1978 | Approximately 3,680,000 (counting VIPs, but not counting 1959 and 1962 Sport Furys and 1975–77 Gran Furys).[25][26] |
| Pontiac |  |
Pontiac Grand Am | 1973–1975, 1978–1980, 1985–2005 | Over 4,000,000. |
| Rambler |  |
Rambler Classic | 1961–1966 | Approximately 1,460,000 (including those produced in 1966 under AMC).[25][26] |
| Saab |  |
Saab 900 | 1978–1993 | 908,810.[83] in the first generation. |
| Saturn |  |
Saturn S-Series | 1991–2002 | Approximately 2,210,000 not counting 2002 (sales of 2002 are unknown).[84] |
| Simca |  |
Simca 1100 | 1967–1982 | 2,139,400, figures include a small number of complete knock down (CKD) kits and commercial versions.[85] |
| Studebaker | _(cropped).jpg) |
Studebaker Champion | 1939–1942 1946–1958 |
Approximately 1,320,000.[25][74] |
| Trabant | _(cropped).jpg) |
Trabant 601 | 1957–1991 | Over 3,000,000.[86] |
| Willys |  |
Willys 77 | 1933–1936 | Approximately 68,000.[87] |
| Zastava |  |
Zastava 101 | 1971–2008 | 1,045,458 |
Class bestsellers
| Class | Image | Automobile | Production | Units sold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-electric car |  |
Tesla Model Y | 2020–present | 2,160,000 up to December 2023[68] | Became the first electric vehicle to be the world's bestselling car in 2023.[88] |
| Full-size car | .jpg) |
Chevrolet Impala | 1958–1985 1994–1996 2000–2020 |
Over 13,000,000 between its introduction and 1996.[27] | The bestselling car in America in a single year, with 1,046,514 sold in 1965 including the Impala SS.[25] |
| Hybrid electric vehicle | _Hybrid_liftback_(2016-04-02)_01.jpg) |
Toyota Prius | 1997–present | 5,000,000 in four generations up to September 2022.[89] Combined sales of the Prius family nameplate totaled over 6,000,000 units in January 2017.[90] |
The world's all-time best selling hybrid electric vehicle.[91] |
| Hydrogen fuel cell car | _IMG_5303.jpg) |
Toyota Mirai | 2015–present | 26,260 units sold by early 2024 in the United States, Japan, some European markets and the United Arab Emirates.[92] | |
| Pickup truck |  |
Ford F-Series | 1948–present | Over 42,000,000 America's bestselling vehicle for 28 consecutive years;[32] 33,900,000 in 12 generations to May 2010.[32] | World's bestselling truck for 43 consecutive years.[93] |
| Plug-in hybrid | .jpg) |
BYD Song DM SUV series | 2017–present | Over 1,050,000 in December 2023 since inception.[94][95][96] | The world's all-time best-selling plug-in hybrid car. It surpassed the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in 2021. |
| Full-size luxury car | .jpg) |
Cadillac De Ville | 1959–2005 | Approximately 3,870,000 excluding early Series 62 hardtops, 1981–1988, 1991–93, and 2000–05. (Total production for 1981–1988, 1991–93 and 2000–05 is unknown but a good guess is over 1,300,000.)[25][26] | |
| Racing car |  |
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 1990–present | 5,000th on November 28, 2022.[97][98] | Also accounting for the 911 Carrera Cup produced between 1990 through to 1997. PistonHeads claimed sales went back to the introduction of the GT3 in 1998.[99][100] |
| Formula racing car | .JPG) |
Tatuus FR2000 | 2000–2007 | Approximately 930 chassis.[66][67] | |
| Rotary engined car | .jpg) |
Mazda RX-7 | 1978–2002 | 811,634 in three generations to 2005.[101] | |
| Single-cylinder car |  |
Iso/BMW/VELAM/Romi Isetta | 1953–1961 | 161,728 in all variations[102] | |
| Four-seat sports car (Pony car) |
 |
Ford Mustang | 1964–present | 10,000,000 in six generations up to 2018.[103] | |
| Two-seat coupe Sports car |  |
Nissan Z-car | 1969–1999 2003–present |
1,535,000 in five generations up to 2005.[104] | |
| Two-seat convertible sports car | _roadster_(2011-11-18)_01.jpg) |
Mazda MX-5 | 1989–present | Over 940,000 in the first two generations to June 2014.[105] | Verified by the Guinness Book of Records as the bestselling two-seater, convertible (open top) sports car in history.[105] |
| Van |  |
Volkswagen Type 2 (Transporter) | 1950–present | Over 12,000,000 in six generations to August 2015[106] | Best-selling van nameplate of all time.[106] Second-generation T2 sold for 46 years (1967–2013), longest production run of any van and second-longest production of any Volkswagen (except for Type 1 Beetle). |
Fastest-selling
| Class | Image | Automobile | Production | Units sold | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any car | |
Baojun 510 | 2017–2025 | 416,883 sold in its first 12 months in the market.[20] | February 2017 – January 2018 |
 |
Ford Fairmont | 1977–1983 | Previous record holder, 405,780 sold in its first 12 months in the market.[20] | 1978 | |
| All-electric car | .jpg) |
BYD Seagull | 2023–present | 364,986 sold in its first 12 months in the market.[107][108] | April 2023 – March 2024 |
 |
Wuling Hongguang Mini EV | 2020–present | Previous record holder, 328,929 sold in its first 12 months in the market.[109][110] | August 2020 – July 2021 |