List of best-selling automobiles

Best selling automobiles are passenger cars and light trucks which, since the introduction of the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1886, can claim to being the highest selling vehicles in the automobile markets.

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. By contrast, Toyota has applied the Corolla nameplate to 12 generations since 1966, which have sold over 50 million through 2021.

World's bestsellers

Four 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. 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. 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, when it was overtaken by the Toyota Corolla, due to the Corolla's good fuel mileage. 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. 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. Sales of the Beetle were also surpassed by its successor, the Volkswagen Golf.

The original model Lada produced by AvtoVAZ of Russia, is the most numerous vehicle ever marketed without any major design change during its production history, with over 20 million units sold between 1970 and mid-2012. The Lada, sometimes known as the "Classic" in the West, was originally based on the 1960s Fiat 124 but mechanically upgraded to cope with poor roads and harsh climates. Between 1970 and 1979, some 5 million cars had been produced. These were marketed as the VAZ-2101 (1200 sedan), VAZ-2102 (1200 estate), VAZ-2103 (quad headlights, higher-spec. interior than 1200), VAZ-2106 (improved 2103). Between 1980 and 2012 over 15 million more Ladas were produced, and these were badged for various export markets such as Rivas (UK), Signets (Canada), and Novas (Germany). The car was also built under licence in several countries (production figures unknown). Although various updates were made to the car's bumpers, steering columns, and interior fittings, as well as other minor mechanical improvements throughout its production life, the basic Fiat 124 derived design remained unchanged.

Image Automobile Production Units sold Years sold Notes
1927 Ford Model-T.
1927 Ford Model-T.
Ford Model T 1908–27 16,500,000 1908–27 The first car to achieve one million, five million, ten million and fifteen million units sold. By 1914, it was estimated that nine out of every ten cars in the world were Fords.
Lada VAZ-2105. Lada "Classic" 1970–2012 17,750,000 1970–2012 The number does not include the platform's archetype Fiat 124 and its other license-built examples (e.g. SEAT 124, SEAT 1430).
1961 Volkswagen Type 1 "Beetle". Volkswagen Beetle 1938–2003 21,529,464 1938–2003 The first car to achieve twenty million units sold.
2019 Toyota Corolla.
Toyota Corolla 1966–present 50,000,000 by 2021 1966–present The 50 million milestone was reached in 2021. However, the model type has been different over the years.

National bestsellers

Sortable and collapsible table
Country Image Automobile Years sold Notes
Australia
Ford Falcon 1960–2016 Over 3,578,689.
Argentina
Toyota HiLux 1960–present Approximately 17,700,000, number reached in 2017.
Bangladesh
Twelfth generation Toyota Corolla.
Twelfth generation Toyota Corolla.
Toyota Corolla 1966–present
Brazil
2007 Volkswagen Gol Plus.
2007 Volkswagen Gol Plus.
Volkswagen Gol 1980–2023 7,000,000, number reached on December 12, 2022.
China
Wuling Hongguang 2010–present 4,549,592 to December 2020.
Czech Republic
Škoda Octavia 1st generation after facelift
Škoda Octavia 1st generation after facelift
Škoda Octavia 1996–present Over 6,000,000 to 2016.
France
Fourth generation Renault Clio.
Fourth generation Renault Clio.
Renault Clio 1990–present 12,300,000 to 2013.
Germany
Volkswagen Golf .
Volkswagen Golf .
Volkswagen Golf 1974–present Over 25,000,000 to 2006.
India
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Maruti Suzuki Alto 2000–present 4,000,000 until 2020.
Indonesia
Toyota Avanza
Toyota Avanza
Toyota Avanza 2003–present 1,800,000 units sold from 2003 to December 2019 in two generations.
Italy
First generation Fiat Uno.
First generation Fiat Uno.
Fiat Uno 1983–1995 (in Italy) Over 8,000,000.
Japan
Twelfth generation Toyota Corolla.
Twelfth generation Toyota Corolla.
Toyota Corolla 1966–present Over 50,000,000
Malaysia Proton Saga 1985–present 1,900,000 since 1985.
Poland Polski Fiat 126p 1973–2000 3,318,674 in Poland.
Romania Dacia 1300 1969–2004 1,959,730 sold in Romania.
Spain
SEAT Ibiza 1984–present 3,949,597 up to 2008.
Sweden
Volvo 240 station wagon.
Volvo 240 station wagon.
Volvo 200 Series 1974–93 2,862,573.
Turkey
Second generation Renault Symbol.
Second generation Renault Symbol.
Renault Symbol 1999–2021 260,000 up to 2013.
Ukraine
Zaporozhets.
Zaporozhets.
ZAZ Zaporozhets 1960–94 3,422,444.
United Kingdom
1993 Mini Cooper.
1993 Mini Cooper.
Mini 1959–2000 5,505,874.
United States
A silver F-150 Double Cab Truck is parked along the street
2021 F-150 Double Cab
Ford F-Series 1948–present Over 40,000,000.
Vietnam
2017 Toyota Vios 1.5L.
2017 Toyota Vios 1.5L.
Toyota Vios 2013–present 67,787 up to 2018.

Brand bestsellers

Brand Image Automobile Production Units Sold Notes
Alfa Romeo
1979 Alfasud ti
1979 Alfasud ti
Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1972–1989 1,017,387.
Alpine
Alpine-Renault A310
Alpine-Renault A310
Alpine A310 1971–1984 11,616.
American Motors
AMC Hornet.
AMC Hornet.
AMC Hornet 1970–1977 Approximately 860,000.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin DB7 Volante.
Aston Martin DB7 Volante.
Aston Martin DB7 1993–2003 7,000
Audi
Picture of a silver Audi A4 sedan parked on a street.
Audi A4 1994–present Over 7,500,000 to 2019
Autobianchi
1973 Autobianchi A112 E.
1973 Autobianchi A112 E.
Autobianchi A112 1969–1986 1,254,178.
Baojun
Baojun 510
Baojun 510
Baojun 510 2017–present 972,042 to 2021. Notable for being a highest-selling newly introduced automobile nameplate in world's history.
BMW
First generation BMW 3 Series coupé.
First generation BMW 3 Series coupé.
BMW 3 Series 1975–present Over 14,000,000 to 2015.
Buick
1986 Buick LeSabre.
1986 Buick LeSabre.
Buick LeSabre 1959–2005 Over 6,000,000.
Bugatti
1929 Bugatti Typ 40 Grand Sport Tourer.
1929 Bugatti Typ 40 Grand Sport Tourer.
Bugatti Type 40 1926–1930 Approximately 800.
BYD
BYD F3 2005–2022 1,684,904, excluding exports.
Cadillac
Cadillac De Ville.
Cadillac De Ville.
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.)
Checker
Checker Marathon.
Checker Marathon.
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).
Chevrolet
1965 Chevrolet Impala.
1965 Chevrolet Impala.
Chevrolet Impala 1958–2020 Over 13,000,000 to 1996.
Chrysler
1961 Chrysler Newport.
1961 Chrysler Newport.
Chrysler Newport 1961–1981 Approximately 1,920,000 (excluding early Newport hardtops).
Citroën
First generation Citroën 2CV.
First generation Citroën 2CV.
Citroën 2CV 1948–1990 3,872,583. Including commercial variants, the total figure is approximately nine million
Continental
Continental Mark II.
Continental Mark II.
Continental Mark II 1956–1957 3,012 (only car produced by the short lived Continental division of the Ford Motor Company).
Crosley
1948 Crosley.
1948 Crosley.
Crosley 1939–1942
1946–1949
62,210 before introduction of series names in 1950 (does not include 1949 Hot Shot).
Dacia
Dacia Sandero.
Dacia Sandero.
Dacia Sandero 2008–present over 2,700,000 (includes the Stepway version).
DeSoto
Dodge DeSoto Custom.
Dodge DeSoto Custom.
DeSoto Custom 1939–1942
1946–1952
Approximately 570,000.
De Tomaso
De Tomaso Pantera.
De Tomaso Pantera.
De Tomaso Pantera 1970–1991 7,260 produced over a single generation
Dodge
Dodge Coronet.
Dodge Coronet.
Dodge Coronet 1949–1959
1965–1976
Approximately 2,060,000 in six generations not counting 1949–53 4-doors, 1953 coupes, Dodge Chargers and Super Bees. (Production of 1949–53 4-doors and 1953 coupes is unknown but a reasonable guess is about 400,000 total.
Eagle
Eagle Talon.
Eagle Talon.
Eagle Talon 1990–1998 Approximately 200,000.
Edsel
1959 Edsel Ranger.
1959 Edsel Ranger.
Edsel Ranger 1958–1960 50,803.
Excalibur
Excalibur Series II.
Excalibur Series II.
Excalibur Series II 1970–1982 2,230.
Facel
1961 Facel Vega Facellia
1961 Facel Vega Facellia
Facellia 1960–1964 1,500
Ferrari
Ferrari 360 Modena.
Ferrari 360 Modena.
Ferrari 360 1999–2004 Over 17,000 coupés and convertibles.
Fiat
First generation Fiat Uno.
First generation Fiat Uno.
Fiat Uno 1983–present 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.
Ford
1955 Ford F-100.
1955 Ford F-100.
Ford F-Series 1948–present Over 40,000,000. America's bestselling vehicle for 40 consecutive years; 33,900,000 in 12 generations to May 2010.
Frazer Frazer Standard 1947–1951 Approximately 90,000.
Haval
Haval H6 2012–present 3,892,260 between 2012 2022, excluding exports.
Henry J
1951 Henry J.
1951 Henry J.
Henry J Deluxe 1951 43,400.
Hindustan
Hindustan Ambassador.
Hindustan Ambassador.
Hindustan Ambassador 1958–2014 Almost 4,000,000.
Holden
Holden Commodore (VE).
Holden Commodore (VE).
Holden Commodore 1978–2019 3,130,000 to 2013.
Honda
First generation Honda Civic.
First generation Honda Civic.
Honda Civic 1972–present Over 27,000,000 up to 2021.
Hudson
Hudson Super.
Hudson Super.
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.)
Hyundai
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra 1990–present 14,400,000 up to 2022.
Imperial
1966 Imperial Crown convertible.
1966 Imperial Crown convertible.
Imperial Crown 1957–1970 Approximately 127,000.
Jaguar
1972 Jaguar XJ12.
1972 Jaguar XJ12.
Jaguar XJ 1968–2019 800,000 up to 2005.
Jeep
2000 Jeep Cherokee.
2000 Jeep Cherokee.
Jeep Cherokee (XJ) 1984–2014 2,884,172 in North America until 2001; production continued in China until 2005.
Kaiser
Kaiser Deluxe
Kaiser Deluxe
Kaiser Deluxe 1949–1953 Approximately 130,000.
Koenigsegg
Koenigsegg Jesko
Koenigsegg Jesko
Koenigsegg Jesko 2021–present 125.
Lada/AvtoVAZ Lada Riva 1500. Lada Riva
VAZ-2105/04/07
1980–2014 13,500,000 until exports to Europe were discontinued in 1997. Production continues in Egypt.
Lamborghini
2019 Lamborghini Urus
2019 Lamborghini Urus
Lamborghini Urus 2018–present over 20,000
Lancia
2012 Lancia Ypsilon
2012 Lancia Ypsilon
Lancia Ypsilon 1996–present over 870,000 to 2005.
Land Rover
Series/Defender 1948–2016
2020–present
over 2,000,000 (approx)
Lincoln
Lincoln Town Car.
Lincoln Town Car.
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.)
Lotus
Lotus Elise 111S.
Lotus Elise 111S.
Lotus Elise 1996–2021 over 20,000 produced over two generations to December 2004.
McLaren
2012 McLaren MP4-12C.
2012 McLaren MP4-12C.
McLaren 12C 2011–2014 Over 3,400 12Cs were made, sales split 60/40 in the coupe’s favour.
Maserati
Maserati Biturbo S.
Maserati Biturbo S.
Maserati Biturbo 1981–1994 Over 38,000
Mazda
Mazda 323 Turbo.
Mazda 323 Turbo.
Mazda Familia 1963–2003 Over 10,000,000 up to 1995.
Mercedes-Benz
Merceds-Benz C-Class.
Merceds-Benz C-Class.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 1993–present 6,900,000 to November 2006.
Mercury
1994-1997 Mercury Cougar XR7
Mercury Cougar 1967–1997

1999–2002

2,972,784 Excludes Ford Cougar sold in Europe and Australia.
Messerschmitt
1955 Messerschmitt KR200.
1955 Messerschmitt KR200.
Messerschmitt KR200 1955–1964 30,286
Metropolitan
1959 Metropolitan
1959 Metropolitan
Metropolitan 1958–1961 55,215 as a separate marque under AMC.
Mitsubishi
Ninth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer.
Ninth-generation Mitsubishi Lancer.
Mitsubishi Lancer 1973–2017 Over 6,000,000 to the end of 2006. Production continues in Taiwan and China
Nash
Nash Statesman.
Nash Statesman.
Nash Statesman 1950–1956 Approximately 340,000.
Nissan
1972 Datsun 1200.
1972 Datsun 1200.
Nissan Sunny/Sentra/Pulsar/Almera 1966–present Over 15,900,000. Ten generations, and four nameplates depending on marketplace.
Oldsmobile
Image:1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convertible.
Image:1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme convertible.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1961–1999 11,900,000 across several platforms and generations.
Opel
First generation Opel Corsa, sold in the United Kingdom as a Vauxhall Nova.
First generation Opel Corsa, sold in the United Kingdom as a Vauxhall Nova.
Opel Corsa 1982–present Over 18,000,000 sold worldwide in 25 years and in 4 generations up to 2007. 10 million of them were sold only in Europe.
Packard
Packard Eight.
Packard Eight.
Packard Eight 1933–36
1938
1942
1948–1950
Approximately 250,000.
Peel
1965 Peel Trident.
1965 Peel Trident.
Peel Trident 1965–1966 82 in a single generation.
Perodua Perodua Myvi 2005–present 1,400,000 since 2005.
Peugeot
Peugeot 206.
Peugeot 206.
Peugeot 206 1998–2013 Approximately 10,000,000 to 2018 in a single generation.
Plymouth
Plymouth Fury 1959–1978 Approximately 3,680,000 (counting VIPs, but not counting 1959 and 1962 Sport Furys and 1975–77 Gran Furys).
Pontiac
2005 Pontiac Grand Am.
2005 Pontiac Grand Am.
Pontiac Grand Am 1973–1975, 1978–1980, 1985–2005 Over 4,000,000.
Porsche
Porsche 911 1963–present 1,000,000 produced up to 2017.
Proton
Proton Saga
Proton Saga
Proton Saga 1985–present 1,900,000 since 1985.
Rambler
Rambler Classic.
Rambler Classic.
Rambler Classic 1961–1966 Approximately 1,460,000 (including those produced in 1966 under AMC).
Renault
Third generation Renault Clio.
Third generation Renault Clio.
Renault Clio 1990–present 12,300,000 across four generations up to 2013.
Rolls-Royce
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 1965–1980 29,030 produced over a single generation.
Saab
1985 Saab 900CD.
1985 Saab 900CD.
Saab 900 1978–1993 908,810. in the first generation.
Saturn
Saturn SL
Saturn SL
Saturn S-Series 1991–2002 Approximately 2,210,000 not counting 2002 (sales of 2002 are unknown).
SEAT
SEAT Ibiza Mk4 (2008).
SEAT Ibiza Mk4 (2008).
SEAT Ibiza 1984–present 3,949,597 up to 2008. 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.
Simca
Simca 1100.
Simca 1100.
Simca 1100 1967–1982 2,139,400 Figures include a small number of complete knock down (CKD) kits and commercial versions.
Smart
2004 Smart Fortwo
2004 Smart Fortwo
Smart Fortwo 1998–present Over 1,500,000 by mid-2013.
Studebaker
Studebaker Champion.
Studebaker Champion.
Studebaker Champion 1939–1942
1946–1958
Approximately 1,320,000.
Subaru
Third generation Subaru Legacy.
Third generation Subaru Legacy.
Subaru Legacy 1988–present Over 3,000,000 to 2005.
Škoda
Škoda Octavia 1st generation after facelift
Škoda Octavia 1st generation after facelift
Škoda Octavia 1996–present Over 6,000,000 to 2016.
Tatuus
Tatuus FR2000
Tatuus FR2000
Tatuus FR2000 2000–2007 Approximately 930 chassis.
Toyota
A 1976 Toyota Corolla.
A 1976 Toyota Corolla.
Toyota Corolla 1966–present 50,000,000 up to 2021
Tesla
Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y 2020–present 2,160,000 up to December 2023
Trabant
1983 Trabant P601.
1983 Trabant P601.
Trabant 601 1957–1991 Over 3,000,000.
Volkswagen
Mk.1 Volkswagen Golf.
Mk.1 Volkswagen Golf.
Volkswagen Golf 1974–present 35,000,000 across seven generations by 2019. Became Volkswagen's bestseller in 2002.
Volvo
Volvo 240 sedan.
Volvo 240 sedan.
Volvo 200 Series 1974–1993 2,862,573 saloon, estate and coupe models over a spell of 19 years.
Willys
1936 Willys 77.
1936 Willys 77.
Willys 77 1933–1936 Approximately 68,000.
Zastava
Zastava 101.
Zastava 101.
Zastava 101 1971-2008 1,045,458
ZAZ
Zaporozhets.
Zaporozhets.
Zaporozhets 1960–1994 3,422,444.

Class bestsellers

Class Image Automobile Production Units Sold Notes
All-electric car
Tesla Model 3.
Tesla Model 3.
Tesla Model 3 2017–present Over 1,000,000 by June 2021 since inception. Since January 2020 is the world's all-time best selling battery electric car, and also the top selling passenger car of the more general category of plug-in electric cars. It surpassed the Nissan Leaf (450,000 units up until December 2019).
Full-size car
1958 Chevrolet Impala.
1958 Chevrolet Impala.
Chevrolet Impala 1958–1985
1994–1996
2000–2020
Over 13,000,000 between its introduction and 1996. The bestselling car in America in a single year, with 1,046,514 sold in 1965 including the Impala SS.
Hybrid electric vehicle
2017 Toyota Prius
2017 Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius 1997–present 5,000,000 in four generations up to September 2022.
Combined sales of the Prius family nameplate totaled over 6,000,000 units in January 2017.
The world's all-time best selling hybrid electric vehicle.
Hydrogen fuel cell car
Toyota Mirai
Toyota Mirai
Toyota Mirai 2015–present 2,840 units by mid-February 2017 in Japan, the United States, some European markets and the United Arab Emirates.
Pickup truck
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning.
Ford F-150 SVT Lightning.
Ford F-Series 1948–present Over 34,000,000 America's bestselling vehicle for 28 consecutive years; 33,900,000 in 12 generations to May 2010. World's bestselling truck for 43 consecutive years.
Plug-in hybrid
Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV.
Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV.
Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV 2013–present 300,000 in January 2022 since inception. The world's all-time best-selling plug-in hybrid car. It surpassed the Chevrolet Volt in December 2018.
Full-size luxury car
Cadillac De Ville.
Cadillac De Ville.
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.)
Racing car
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup.
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 1998–present 1,400 up to 2011
Formula racing car
Tatuus FR2000
Tatuus FR2000
Tatuus FR2000 2000–2007 Approximately 930 chassis.
Rotary engined car
A first-generation Mazda RX-7.
A first-generation Mazda RX-7.
Mazda RX-7 1978–2002 811,634 in three generations to 2005.
Single-cylinder car
BMW Isetta.
BMW Isetta.
Iso/BMW/VELAM/Romi Isetta 1953–1961 161,728 in all variations
Four-seat sports car
(Pony car)
First 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang
First 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang 1964–present 10,000,000 in six generations up to 2018.
Two-seat coupe Sports car
1970 Datsun 240Z.
1970 Datsun 240Z.
Nissan Z-cars 1969–1999
2003–present
1,535,000 in five generations up to 2005.
Two-seat convertible sports car
.
.
Mazda MX-5 1989–present Over 940,000 in the first two generations to June 2014. Verified by the Guinness Book of Records as the bestselling two-seater, convertible (open top) sports car in history.
Van
Volkswagen Type 2 (Transporter) 1950–present Over 12,000,000 in six generations to August 2015 Best-selling van nameplate of all-time.
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).

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-03-12 01:40 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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