13 of the World’s Bestselling Cars in History
Chantile Ferriera
Which car immediately came to mind when you read the title of this topic? The Corolla? You’re right. The Toyota Corolla is the overall bestselling car in the world, and that’s exactly why you want to read an article like this.
The world’s bestsellers are up there because they got something right — something we could learn from. The Corolla, as an example, is synonymous with reliability, affordability, and efficiency. So, anyone looking for such a combination might want to begin their search from the Corolla.
The bestselling cars are naturally popular with shoppers, indicating they retain their value well and are likely to get you a good deal if you have to sell in the future. Understanding the models people tend to buy makes it easier to grasp and follow market trends in this highly volatile automotive market.
What’s more? You’re in a better position to make informed decisions in your car shopping experience because you know what’s going on out there.
Toyota Corolla
- Production Years: Since 1966
- Units Sold: 75 Million+
The Corolla is a global superstar with a rich history spanning five decades. It officially became the world’s bestselling car when the automaker announced it had “hit the historic milestone of 50 million units sold worldwide” in 2021. Few cars are as ubiquitous on this planet as the Toyota Corolla.
Introduced in 1966, it didn’t take long for the car to earn lifelong loyalists that, in turn, passed along their Corolla experience to the next generation — and the next generation, and the next.
As a result, the Corolla’s reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability is more likely to outlive many others currently competing for the compact car segment. The Tesla Model Y topped 1.5 million sales to become the bestselling model for 2023.
Ford F-Series
- Production Years: Since 1948
- Units Sold: 40 Million +
The F Series is one of the most solid claimants to the title of the world’s bestselling automobiles. Unlike many others, like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sunny, Ford’s F Series has always been a full-size truck since its introduction in 1948. Some nameplates appear in different markets and generations in diverse bodies, but never the F Series, particularly the F-150.
The most interesting part is that America is singularly the F Series’ largest customer, making its second position on this list all the more impressive versus other models that relied more heavily on global sales to be here.
According to the automaker, the F series has surpassed 40 million units sold as of 2022. CEO Jim Farley celebrated the milestone in a Tweet — the completion of the 40th-millionth F-Series pickup.
He said, the silver-painted 2022 F-150 Tremor “won’t be going to a museum,” said Farley. “It’s headed to a customer in Texas [why are we not surprised] to get to work because that’s what Ford trucks do.”
Volkswagen Golf
- Production Years: Since 1974
- Units Sold: 37 Million+
The Golf and Beetle are not only two of the most iconic Volkswagen automobiles but also some of the most popular cars the world has ever seen. Introduced in 1974, the Golf’s market profile would soon (surprise) surpass that of the legendary People’s Car — the Beetle.
After eight generations of Golf spanning fifty years, the German automaker shared the historic milestone of a bestseller with over 37 million units sold. The milestone coincided with the brand’s impending 50th birthday as well as the unveiling of the New Golf in January 2024.
Honda Civic
- Production Years: Since 1972
- Units Sold: 30 Million+
The Civic’s civic responsibility of moving people from point A to point B began in Japan in July 1972. It launched as a 1973 model and quickly gained fame for the right reasons — compact, fuel-efficient, and reliable.
The Civic has won various body styles, including the staple 4-door sedan, 3- and 5-door hatchback variants, 2-door coupe, and station wagon. There was also the CRX, the sporty 2-seat hatchback that lived in the 1980s and early 1990s, not to mention the Del Sol – a 2-seat Targa-top model sold in the 1990s.
Whatever configuration you mention, the Civic says, “Been there, done that.” Honda celebrated its 50th birthday in 2022, announcing that the Civic is the “all-time best-selling Honda,” with nearly 30 million units sold.
Volkswagen Passat
- Production Numbers: Since 1973
- Units Sold: 30 Million+
You’ll be meeting a lot of Volkswagens on this list. The Passat has proven a formidable competitor in the midsize sedan segment. The car managed to carve out a good chunk of the market despite stiff competition, armed with a spacious interior, comfortable ride, and solid build quality.
Unlike the Beetle, the Passat is not afraid to embrace changes and evolve without deviating from its philosophy of refined practicality. With the 30-millionth Passat rolling off the assembly lines in 2019, it became officially the second-best-selling Volkswagen after the Golf.
It was born in Europe in 1973 and positioned as a modernized alternative to the aging Volkswagen models, the Beetle being a prime example. Using an FWD layout in various body styles, including sedans, station wagons, and fastback coupes, the Passat would become one of VW’s most successful models.
Ford Fiesta
- Production Years: 1976–2023
- Units Sold: Approx. 22 Million
Ford discontinued the Fiesta subcompact car after the 2023 model year after nearly five decades in production across seven generations. The Blue Oval is pulling the plug on the Fiesta for the same reasons it retired other once-popular models like the Impala: a response to the shifting trends towards SUVs, trucks, and EVs.
It’s a sad and victorious end for one of Ford’s most popular and successful small cars. It was sold primarily in sedan and hatchback shells, with the last generation bringing a more mature design, advanced infotainment, and cutting-edge safety features.
According to the Guardian, the final Ford Fiesta rolled off the assembly line on Friday, July 2023, marking the end of an era and 22 million units sold worldwide.
Toyota Camry
- Production Years: Since 1982
- Units Sold: 21 Million+
It’s understandable if you half expected the Camry to rank number one — or maybe number two — on this list. They’re as ubiquitous as plastic bags, sold officially in over a hundred countries in diverse bodies, including sedan, station wagon, hatchback, and coupe.
According to Nikkei Asia, more than 21 million units of the Camry have been sold globally as of the end of 2022. The Camry is a flagship and cornerstone of the Japanese automaker’s lineup. Like the Corolla, it has proven reliable, efficient, and relatively easier to maintain.
Volkswagen Beetle
- Production Years: 1938–2003
- Units Sold: 21 Million+
Aha, the Beetle. The Volkswagen Beetle is a world icon that held the title of bestselling car for many years after unseating the Ford Model T and getting the Blue Oval to grudgingly accept the defeat.
In fact, Volkswagen insisted that the Beetle, not the Corolla, was the true global bestseller in history because it remained relatively unchanged throughout its production run, whereas the Corolla had passed the nameplate to 12 generations since 1966.
Whether or not you agree with VW, the Beetle reportedly sold over 21 million units as of 2003, making it one of the world’s all-time bestsellers.
Ford Escort
- Production Years: 1968–2003
- Units Sold: 20 Million+
Sadly, many youths of this generation have no idea of the Escort, once a staple in Ford’s lineup since 1968. The Escort wouldn’t be here if we reserved this list for nameplates that never subscribed to a redesign. It lasted over three decades because it underwent numerous changes to keep pace with changing market trends, technological advancements, and consumer needs.
The Escort was born in Europe but eventually found its way to U.S. shores as well as other global markets. Enthusiasts will remember fondly the performance-oriented Escort RS and XR variants, promising enhanced power and handling capabilities. It was frequently cited as the UK’s bestselling car, with over 20 million units sold worldwide in 32 years.
Honda Accord
- Production Years: Since 1976
- Units Sold: 18 Million+
And here it comes — the ubiquitous Honda Accord. We understand that many would expect the Accord to sit somewhere in the top 5 of this list. Why not? This midsize car has been a mainstay in Honda’s portfolio since 1976.
It didn’t take long for the car that started life as a 3-door hatchback to morph into one of the bestselling nameplates in the U.S. and globally, moving over 18 million units and counting worldwide. It’s easy to replicate the Accord’s track record because it doesn’t take much to build a car with a neat combination of reliability, comfort, practicality, and affordability. It’s easy, right?
Chevrolet Impala
- Production Years: Since 1958
- Units Sold: Over 16.8 Million
General Motors discontinued the Impala in 2020 as part of a broader corporate strategy to adapt and refocus on the more popular trucks and SUVs segments. By then, the Impala had sold nearly 17 million units globally, not counting the 1994-96 Impala SS, which we dismiss as the Chevy Caprice.
The Impala was so popular with enthusiasts that it’s hard to see how Chevrolet won’t revive the nameplate sometime in the future, even if as a limited-edition model.
Ford Model T
- Production Years: 1908–1927
- Units Sold: 15 Million+
All hail the Tin Lizzie, the first of its name, the King in the West. The one that brought the automobile to our side, managing to unite the Wildlings and the Northern Houses…you get the idea.
The Model T was, indeed, the first of its name, the King of Western automotive inventions that brought the automobile to an accessible point for the average guy with a job and a pay slip. It managed to bridge the gap between the rich and everyone else — the Ford Model T.
What’s more? The Model T is still in the top 10 of the world’s bestselling cars in history nearly a century after halting production.
In the early 20th century, right around the time the chapter was closing on the Tin Lizzie, an estimated 55% of cars everywhere in the world were Ford, largely due to Lizzie’s success and market dominance. Henry Ford famously said, “there’s no use trying to pass a Ford because there’s always another one just ahead.” Over 15 million units were built and sold before it was over.
Chevrolet Silverado
- Production Numbers: Since 1998
- Units Sold: 14 Million+
The Silverado is one of America’s most popular pickup trucks. Chevrolet introduced it as the C/K’s replacement in 1998, and it would soon be renowned for its ruggedness, towing capacity, and versatility. One of the best things about the Silverado is the many configurations to meet various trucking needs, including different cab sizes, bed lengths, and trim levels.
The same truck can be perfect for personal users and commercial applications. It’s not clear how many Silverados sold globally, but the nameplate has sold a cumulative 14,630,686 units in America alone as of 2023. This figure does not include its GMC Sierra cousin.
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