This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (December 2012) Best selling automobiles are those passenger cars and light trucks which, since the introduction of the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1886, can lay claim to being the highest selling vehicles in the markets they compete in.
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. Volkswagen has claimed its Beetle as 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] 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 On February 17, 1972 Volkswagen claimed that the Ford had been superseded by the Beetle, when the 15,007,034th was manufactured.[1] Although The Model T has subsequently been credited with 16.5 million units sold, this anomaly is moot in light of the Beetle reaching 21 million.[3] The Model T would eventually be 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 until the late 1990s,[4] when it was itself overtaken by the Toyota Corolla.[5] However, this was an example of the modern practice of applying a brand name across a range of vehicles, and retaining it for marketing purposes even as the car changes.[6] While the first Corolla in 1966 was rear wheel drive and rode on a 2286 mm wheelbase, the current front wheel drive versions share a 2600 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 badged 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.
1999-2002
Image
Automobile
Production
Units Sold
Years sold
Notes
Ford Model T
1908–27
16,500,000[7]
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.[7]
Lada "Classic"
1970–2012[8]
17,750,000[9]
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)
Volkswagen Beetle
1938–2003
21,529,464[3]
1938–2003
The first car to achieve twenty million units sold.[1]
Toyota Corolla
1966–present
50,000,000 by 2021[2]
1966–present
The 50 million milestone was reached in 2021. However, the model type has been different over the years.[2] Sortable and collapsible table
Country
Image
Automobile
Years sold
Notes
Australia
Ford Falcon
1960–2016
Over 3,578,689.[10] Brazil
Volkswagen Gol[11]
1980–present
8,000,000, number reached on July 5, 2017.[12] Argentina
Toyota Hilux
1960–present
China
Wuling Hongguang
2010–present
4,549,592 to December 2020.[13] Czech Republic
Škoda Octavia
1996–present
Over 6,000,000 to 2016.[14] France
Renault Clio
1990–present
12,300,000 to 2013.[15] Germany
Volkswagen Golf[11]
1974–present
Over 25,000,000 to 2006.[16] India
Maruti Suzuki Alto
2000–present
4,000,000.00 until 2020.[17] Indonesia
Toyota Avanza
2003–present
1,800,000 units sold from 2003 to December 2019 in two generations.[18] Italy
Fiat Uno
1983–1995 (in Italy)
Over 8,000,000.[19] Japan
Toyota Corolla
1966–present
Malaysia
Perodua Myvi
2005–present
1,500,000 since 2005.[20] Poland
Polski Fiat 126p
1973–2000
3,318,674 in Poland.[21][22] Romania
Dacia 1300
1969–2004
1,959,730 sold in Romania.[23][24] Spain
SEAT Ibiza
1984–present
3,949,597 up to 2008.[25] Sweden
Volvo 200 Series
1974–93
2,862,573.[26] Turkey
Renault Symbol
1999–2021
260,000 up to 2013.[27][28] Ukraine
ZAZ Zaporozhets
1960–94
3,422,444.[29] United Kingdom
Mini
1959–2000
5,505,874.[30] United States
Ford F-Series
1948–present
Over 40,000,000.[31] Vietnam
Toyota Vios
2013–present
Brand
Image
Automobile
Production
Units Sold
Notes
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Alfasud
1972–1989
1,017,387.[32] Alpine
Alpine A310
1971–1984
11,616.[33] American Motors
AMC Hornet
1970–77
Approximately 860,000.[34][35] Aston Martin
Aston Martin DB7
1993–2003
7,000[36][37] Autobianchi
Autobianchi A112
1969–1986
1,254,178.[38] BMW
BMW 3 Series
1975–present
Over 14,000,000 to 2015.
Buick
Buick LeSabre
1959–2005
Over 6,000,000.[39] Bugatti
Bugatti Type 40
1926–30
Approximately 800.[40] 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 1981–1988, 1991–93 and 2000–05 is unknown but a good guess is over 1,300,000.)[34][35] Checker
Checker Marathon
1961–82
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).[34][35] Chevrolet
Chevrolet Impala
1958–2020
Over 13,000,000 to 1996.[41] Chrysler
Chrysler Newport
1961–81
Approximately 1,920,000 (excluding early Newport hardtops).[34][35] Citroën
Citroën 2CV
1948–90
3,872,583. Including commercial variants, the total figure is approximately nine million[42] Continental
Continental Mark II
1956–57
3,012 (only car produced by the short lived Continental division of the Ford Motor Company).[34] Crosley
Crosley
1939–42
1946–49
62,210 before introduction of series names in 1950 (does not include 1949 Hot Shot).[34][43] Dacia
Dacia Sandero
2008-present
over 2,400,000 (includes the Stepway version).
DeSoto
DeSoto Custom
1939–42
1946–52
Approximately 570,000.[34][43] De Tomaso
De Tomaso Pantera
1970–1991
7,260 produced over a single generation
[44] Dodge
Dodge Coronet
1949–59
1965–76
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
1990–98
Approximately 200,000.[45] Edsel
Edsel Ranger
1958–60
50,803.[34] Excalibur
Excalibur Series II
1970–82
2,230.[46] Facel
Facellia
1960–1964
1,500[47] Ferrari
Ferrari 360
1999–2004
Over 17,000 coupés and convertibles.[48] Fiat
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.[49] 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.[50] Frazer
Frazer Standard
1947–51
Approximately 90,000.[34] Henry J
Henry J Deluxe
1951
43,400.[34] Hindustan
Hindustan Ambassador
1958–2014
Almost 4,000,000.[51] Holden
Holden Commodore
1978–2019
3,130,000 to 2013.[52] Honda
Honda Civic
1972–present
Over 27,000,000 up to 2021.[53] Hudson
Hudson Super Six
1916–28
1933
1940–42
1946–51
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.)[34][43] Imperial
Imperial Crown
1957–70
Approximately 127,000.[34] Jaguar
Jaguar XJ
1968–2019
800,000 up to 2005.[54] Jeep
Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
1984–2014
2,884,172 in North America until 2001; production continued in China until 2005.[55] Kaiser
Kaiser Deluxe
1949–53
Approximately 130,000.[34] Koenigsegg
Koenigsegg CCX
2006–10
29.[56][57] Lada/AvtoVAZ
Lada Riva
VAZ-2105/04/07
1980–present
13,500,000 until exports to Europe were discontinued in 1997.
Production continues in Egypt.[58] Lagonda
11, 11.9, 12 and 12/24
1913–26
over 6,000
[59] Land Rover
Series/Defender
1948–2015
over 2,000,000 (approx)
[60] Lamborghini
Lamborghini Gallardo
2004–2013
14,022 coupés and convertibles to November 2013.[61] Lancia
Lancia Ypsilon
1996–present
over 870,000 to 2005.[62] Lincoln
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.)[35][63] Lotus
Lotus Elise
1996–2021
over 20,000 produced over two generations to December 2004.[64] McLaren
McLaren 12C
2011–2014
1000th sold by June 2012 in a single generation.[65] Maserati
Maserati Biturbo
1981–1994
Over 38,000[66] Mazda
Mazda Familia
1963–2003
Over 10,000,000 up to 1995.[67] Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
1993–present
6,900,000 to November 2006.[68] Mercury
Mercury Cougar
1967-1997
2,972,784
Excludes Ford Cougar sold in Europe and Australia.
Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt KR200
1955–1964
30,286
Metropolitan
Metropolitan
1958–61
55,215 as a separate marque under AMC.[69] Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Lancer
1973–present
Over 6,000,000 to the end of 2006.[70]
Nash
Nash Statesman
1950–56
Approximately 340,000.[34] Nissan
Nissan Sunny/Sentra/Pulsar/Almera
1966–present
Over 15,900,000.[58] Ten generations, and four nameplates depending on marketplace.
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
1961–99
11,900,000 across several platforms and generations.[71] Opel
Opel Corsa
1982–present
Over 18,000,000 sold worldwide in 25 years and in 4 generations. 10 million of them were sold only in Europe.[72] Packard
Packard Eight
1933–36
1938
1942
1948–50
Approximately 250,000.[34][43] Peel
Peel Trident
1965–66
82 in a single generation.[73] Perodua
Perodua Myvi
2005–present
77,657 at 2010. (or about 1,500,000 since 2005.)[20] Peugeot
Peugeot 206
1998–present
Approximately 10,000,000 to 2018 in a single generation.[74] Plymouth
Plymouth Fury
1959–78
Approximately 3,680,000 (counting VIPs, but not counting 1959 and 1962 Sport Furys and 1975–77 Gran Furys).[34][35] Pontiac
Pontiac Grand Am
1973–75, 1978–80, 1985–2005
Over 4,000,000.
Porsche
Porsche 911
1963–present
1,000,000 produced up to 2017.[75] Rambler
Rambler Classic
1961–66
Approximately 1,460,000 (including those produced in 1966 under AMC).[34][35] Renault
Renault Clio
1990–present
12,300,000 across four generations up to 2013.[15] Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
1965–80
29,030 produced over a single generation.[76] Saab
Saab 900
1978–93
908,810.[77] in the first generation.
Saturn
Saturn S-Series
1991–2002
Approximately 2,210,000 not counting 2002 (sales of 2002 are unknown).[78] SEAT
SEAT Ibiza
1984–present
3,949,597 up to 2008.[25]
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
1967–1982
2,139,400
Figures include a small number of complete knock down (CKD) kits and commercial versions.[79] Smart
Smart Fortwo
1998–present
Over 1,500,000 by mid-2013.[80] Studebaker
Studebaker Champion
1939–42
1946–58
Approximately 1,320,000.[34][43] Subaru
Subaru Legacy
1988–present
Over 3,000,000 to 2005.[81] Škoda
Škoda Octavia
1996–present
Over 6,000,000 to 2016.[14] Tatuus
Tatuus FR2000
2000–2007
Approximately 930 chassis.[82][83] Toyota
Toyota Corolla
1966–present
50,000,000 up to 2021[2] Tesla
Tesla Model 3
2017–present
1,000,000 by June 2021[84] Trabant
Trabant
1957–91
Over 3,000,000.[85] Volkswagen
Volkswagen Golf
1974–present
35,000,000 across seven generations by 2019.[86] Became Volkswagen's bestseller in 2002.[87] Volvo
Volvo 200 Series
1974–93
2,862,573 saloon, estate and coupe models over a spell of 19 years.[26] Willys
Willys 77
1933–36
Approximately 68,000.[88] Zastava
Zastava 101
1971-2008
1,045,458
ZAZ
Zaporozhets
1960–94
3,422,444.[29] Class
Image
Automobile
Production
Units Sold
Notes
All-electric car
Tesla Model 3
2017–present
Over 1,000,000 by June 2021 since inception.[84]
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.[89] It surpassed the Nissan Leaf (450,000 units up until December 2019).[90] Full-size car
Chevrolet Impala
1958–1985
1994–1996
2000–2020
Over 13,000,000 between its introduction and 1996.[41]
The bestselling car in America in a single year, with 1,046,514 sold in 1965 including the Impala SS.[34] Hybrid electric vehicle
Toyota Prius
1997–present
Almost 4,000,000 in four generations up to January 2017.[91]
Combined sales of the Prius family nameplate totaled over 6,000,000 units in January 2017.[91]The world's all-time best selling hybrid electric vehicle.[92] Hydrogen fuel cell car
Toyota Mirai
2015–present
2,840 units by mid-February 2017 in Japan, the United States, some European markets and the United Arab Emirates.[93]
Pickup truck
Ford F-Series
1948–present
Over 34,000,000 America's bestselling vehicle for 28 consecutive years;[50] 33,900,000 in 12 generations to May 2010.[50]
World's bestselling truck for 43 consecutive years.[94] Plug-in hybrid
Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV
2013–present
300,000 in January 2022 since inception.[95]
The world's all-time best-selling plug-in hybrid car.[96] It surpassed the Chevrolet Volt in December 2018.[96] Full-size luxury car
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.)[34][35]
Racing car
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
1998–
1,400 up to 2011[97][98]
Formula racing car
Tatuus FR2000
2000–2007
Approximately 930 chassis.[82][83]
Rotary engined car
Mazda RX-7
1978–2002
811,634 in three generations to 2005.[99]
Single-cylinder car
Iso/BMW/VELAM/Romi Isetta
1953–61
161,728 in all variations[100]
Four-seat sports car
(Pony car)
Ford Mustang
1964–present
10,000,000 in six generations up to 2018.[101]
Two-seat coupe Sports car
Nissan Z-cars
1969–99
2003–present
1,535,000 in five generations up to 2005.[102]
Two-seat convertible sports car
Mazda MX-5
1989–present
Over 940,000 in the first two generations to June 2014.[103]
Verified by the Guinness Book of Records as the bestselling two-seater, convertible (open top) sports car in history.[103] Van
Volkswagen Type 2 (Transporter)
1950–present
Over 12,000,000 in six generations to August 2015[104]
Best-selling van nameplate of all-time.[104]
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).
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