List of bestselling vehicle nameplates

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This article contains a list of some of the bestselling passenger cars in automotive history since the introduction of the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1886. Wherever possible, references to verify the claims have been included, however even figures given by manufacturers may have a degree of inaccuracy. Also note that a single vehicle can be sold concurrently under several nameplates in different markets; in these circumstances manufacturers often provide only cumulative sales figures for all models and this has been noted in each case.

Vehicles listed in italics are those who achieved their figures through sales of a single generation without any major redesign. The most common distinction is to refer to these specifically as the "bestselling vehicles", as opposed to those whose sales have been achieved through perpetuation of the model name across several generations. This page includes both.

Please note that this list is neither definitive, nor comprehensive.

[edit] Bestselling nameplates

1. Toyota Corolla (1966–present) — 31,600,000 in nine generations up to June 2006; the bestselling car worldwide in 2005 (1.36 million), and the bestselling car in Japan in 36 of the last 40 years.^[1]
2. Ford F-Series (1948–present) — America's bestselling vehicle for 23 consecutive years;^[2] over 29,000,000 in eleven generations.^[3]
3. Volkswagen Golf (1974–present) — became Volkswagen's bestseller in 2002; over 24,000,000 in five generations up to 2005.^[4]
4. Volkswagen Beetle (1938–2003) — 21,529,464; the bestselling single design in history, and the first car to reach twenty million sales.^[5]
5. Ford Escort (1968–2003) — almost 20,000,000 worldwide; Ford's bestselling car nameplate.^[6]
6. Honda Civic (1972–present) — over 16,500,000 in eight generations.^[7]
7. Ford Model T (1908–27) — 16,500,000; the second bestselling single design, and the first to sell five, ten and fifteen million cars.^[3]
8. Nissan Sunny / Sentra / Pulsar / Almera (1966–present) — over 15,900,000 in ten generations.^[8]
9. Volkswagen Passat (1973–present) — over 14,000,000 in five generations.^[9]
10. Lada Riva (1980–present) — 13,500,000 until exports to Europe were discontinued in 1997; production continues in both Russia and Egypt.^[8]
11. Chevrolet Impala (1958–present) — over 13,000,000 between its introduction and 1996; the bestselling full-size car in history, and the bestselling car in America in a single year (more than one million in 1965).^[10]
12. Ford Fiesta (1976–present) — over 12,000,000 in six generations.^[11]
13. Oldsmobile Cutlass (1961–99) — 11,900,000 across several platforms and generations.^[12]
14. Opel Corsa (1982–present) — over 11,000,000 in three generations up to 2002, including "Corsa-based vehicles".^[13]
15. Chrysler minivans (1984–present) — over 11,000,000 across three marques up to 2005; Chrysler (Town and Country, Voyager), Dodge (Caravan) and Plymouth (Voyager).^[14]
16. Mazda Familia (1963–2003) — also badged as the Protegé and 323; over 10,000,000 in the first eight generations to 1995.^[15]
17. Toyota Camry (1983–present) — over 10,000,000 in five generations.^[16]
18. BMW 3 series (1977–present) — over 9,500,000 in the first four generations to 2005.^[17]
19. Fiat Uno (1983–present) — approximately 8,800,000 worldwide to 2004;^[18] sold over six million in Europe before being replaced by the Punto in 1995.^[19]
20. Renault Clio (1991–present) — the bestselling French car; 8,535,280 in the first two generations up to 2005.^[20]
21. Honda Accord (1976–present) — over 8,000,000 of the first six generations up to 2002 in North America, not including global sales elsewhere.^[21]
22. Renault 4 (1961–92) — over 8,000,000 of a single design.^[22]
23. Ford Mustang (1964–present) — over 8,000,000 in five generations.^[3]
24. Opel Astra (1991–present) — over 7,000,000 of the first two generations up to 2001, not including Kadett-based Astra in UK from 1984.^[23]
25. Ford Taurus (1986–2007) — approximately 6,700,000 in four generations.^[24]
26. Fiat Punto (1993–present) — over 6,000,000 up to 2005.^[25]
27. Buick LeSabre (1959–2005) — over 6,000,000.^[26]
28. Chevrolet Cavalier (1982–2005) — estimated to be over 6,000,000 in three generations; 5,210,123 were sold up to 1999.^[27]
29. Ford Explorer (1991–present) — over 5,500,000 in four generations.^[28]
30. Mini (1959–2000) — the bestselling British-made car; 5,505,874 in a single design.^[29]
31. Renault 5 (1972–96) — 5,471,709 in a single design.^[29]
32. Peugeot 206 (1998–present) — approximately 5,400,000 in a single generation to 2006; PSA Peugeot Citroën's bestselling car.^[30]
33. Peugeot 205 (1983–98) — over 5,278,000 in a single generation.^[31]
34. Ford Focus (1998–present) — over 5,000,000 in two generations.^[32]
35. Ford Crown Victoria (1955–56, 1980–present) — over 5,000,000.^[3]
36. Ford E-Series (1961–present) — formerly known as the Econoline; over 5,000,000.^[3]
37. Ford Ranger (1983–2003) — over 5,000,000.^[3]
38. Mitsubishi Galant (1969–present) — estimated to be over 5,000,000 in nine generations; up to 1997, 4.9 million were sold.^[33]
39. Chevrolet Camaro (1967–2002) — almost 4,800,000 in four generations.^[34]
40. Opel Vectra (1988–present) — 4,500,000 in the first two generations up to 2002, also including UK sales as the Vauxhall Cavalier.^[35]
41. Volkswagen Gol (1980–present) — Brazil's bestselling car for 19 consecutive years; over 4,500,000 in four generations.^[36]
42. Opel Ascona (1970–88) — 4,400,000 in three generations, including the UK-market Vauxhall Cavalier, and the South African-market Chevrolet Ascona.^[35]
43. Ford Model A (1927–31) — 4,320,446 sales for the successor to the Ford Model T.^[37]
44. Ford Cortina (1962–82) — over 4,300,000 in five generations.^[38]
45. Toyota Land Cruiser (1953–present) — over 4,000,000 in five generations.^[39]
46. Pontiac Grand Am (1973–75, 1978–80, 1985–2006) — Pontiac's bestselling nameplate; over 4,000,000 in five generations.^[40]
47. Hindustan Ambassador (1958–present) — Indian-built version of the Morris Oxford; almost 4,000,000 in a single generation to 2004.^[41]
48. Citroën 2CV (1948–90) — 3,872,583 in a single design; including commercial variants, the total figure is approximately nine million.^[42]
49. Fiat 500 (1957–75) — known as the Nuova, to distinguish it from the earlier Topolino; 3,600,000 in a single design.^[43]
50. Fiat 127 (1971–83) — Fiat's first supermini, 3,730,000, not including sales of licensed or derivative versions by SEAT and Zastava.^[29]
51. Ford Falcon (1960–present) — over 3,000,000 in six generations to 2003, almost exclusively in Australia and New Zealand.^[44]
52. Subaru Legacy (1988–present) — over 3,000,000 in four generations to 2005, including Australian sales as the Subaru Liberty.^[45]
53. Jeep Cherokee (XJ) (1984–present) — 2,884,172 in North America until 2001; production continues in China.^[46]
54. Volvo 200 series (1974–93) — 2,862,573 in a single generation; the bestselling car built in Sweden.^[47]
55. Mercedes-Benz S-Class (1965–present) — approximately 2,700,000 of the first five generations since the Mercedes-Benz W108; the world's bestselling premium automobile.^[48]
56. Honda CR-V (1996–present) — approximately 2,500,000 to September 2006, claims to be the bestselling entry level crossover SUV.^[49]
57. Mitsubishi Pajero (1982–present) — also known as the Montero and Shogun in various export markets; approximately 2,500,000 of the first three generations.^[50]
58. Pontiac Firebird (1967–2002) — approximately 2,500,000 in four generations.^[51]
59. Maruti 800 (1984–present) — a rebadged Suzuki Alto, and the current bestselling car in India; 2,400,000 of a single generation.^[52]
60. Holden Commodore (1978–present) — 2,400,000 in the first three generations up to 2006.^[53]
61. BMC ADO16 (1962-74) — 2,167,783 made under the brand names of Austin, Morris, MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley.^{[citation needed]}
62. Simca 1100 (1967–85) — 2,139,400, including a small amount of CKD kits and commercial versions; in later years the vehicle was sold as the Talbot-Simca 1100.^[54]
63. Simca 1000 (1961–78) — 1,935,098.^[54]
64. Mercedes-Benz W201 (1983–93) — known as the Mercedes 190; 1,879,629 in a single generation.^[55]
65. Chevrolet Corvair (1960–69) — 1,835,170 in a single generation despite an abrupt end to production.^[56]
66. Nissan Maxima (1981–present) — 1,700,000 in the first five generations up to 2001.^[57]
67. Nissan Z-cars (1969–98, 2003–present) — 1,535,000 in five generations up to 2005; Japan's bestselling sports car.^[58]
68. Nissan Micra (1982–present) — also known as the Nissan March; 1,550,000 units built at Nissan's UK plant in Sunderland since 1992.^{[citation needed]}
69. Vauxhall Viva (1963–79) — 1,501,353 in three generations.^[59][60][61]
70. Citroën DS (1955–76) — 1,455,746; sold 12,000 in a single day upon release at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.^[62]
71. Rover 200 (1984-2005) — over 1,482,000 made over four generations. Hatchback, coupe and cabriolet variations. Later badged as the Rover 25 and MG ZR.^{[citation needed]}
72. Rover Metro (1980-95) — first sold as the Austin Mini Metro; over 1,370,000 made over two generations.^{[citation needed]}
73. Morris Minor (1948–71) — 1,368,291 in a single generation of saloons, estates, vans, pickup trucks and convertibles.^[63]
74. Nissan Primera (1990–present) — 1,271,887 in three generations.^{[citation needed]}
75. Autobianchi A112 (1969–86) — 1,254,178; also marketed as Lancia A112 in some markets and periods.^[64]
76. Volvo 140 (1966–74) — 1,252,371 in a single generation.^[47]
77. Volvo 700 series (1982–92) — 1,239,222 in a single generation.^[47]
78. Renault 4CV (1946–61) — 1,105,547 of a single design; the first French car to achieve more than one million sales.^[65]
79. Volvo 300 series (1976–91) — 1,086,405 in a single generation.^[47]
80. Volvo S40 / V40 (1995–2004) — 1,000,034 in a single generation.^[47]
81. Honda Fit (2001–present) — over 1,000,000 in a single generation, including export sales as the Honda Jazz;^[66] the bestselling car in Japan, and the first in that country to outsell the Toyota Corolla since 1969.^[67]
82. Mazda Axela (2003–present) — Mazda's fastest ever seller, 1,000,000 in three years; known as the Mazda 3 in most markets outside Japan.^[68]
83. Mazda 6 (2002–present) — Mazda's previous fastest seller; 1,000,000 in four years.^[69]
84. Mazda MPV (1988–present) — 1,000,000 in three generations.^[69]
85. Hyundai Elantra (1991–present) — 1,000,000 in the first three generations to 2006.^[70]
86. Dodge Aries / Plymouth Reliant (1981–89) — known as the 'K-cars' after their common platform; 972,216 in a single generation between the two marques.^[71]
87. Lincoln Town Car (1981–present) — one of the bestselling luxury cars in the United States. 944,030 were sold between 1994 and 2005.^[72]
88. Saab 900 (1978–93) — Saab's bestseller; 908,810 in a single generation of sedans, hatchbacks and convertibles.^[73]
89. Morris Marina (1971–80) — 807,000 of a single genertation.^{[citation needed]}
90. Rover 400 (1990–05) — 769,275 made in three generations. Later badged Rover 45 and MG ZS.^{[citation needed]}
91. Mazda MX-5 (1989–present) — also known as the Miata and Eunos Roadster; almost 750,000 in the first two generations to 2005, verified by the Guinness Book of Records as the bestselling two-seater sports car in history.^[74]
92. AMC Gremlin (1970–78) — 671,475 of a single generation.^[75]
93. Austin Allegro (1973–83) — 642,350 of a single generation, either as a hatchback or estate.^{[citation needed]}
94. MG F (1995–2005) — over 641,000 made in two generations. The second bestselling two-seater sports car in history after the Mazda MX-5.^{[citation needed]}
95. Morris Oxford (1913–71) — 640,263 made over ten generations.^{[citation needed]}
96. Austin Maestro (1983-94) — 611,150 in a single generation; performance variants also sold under the MG marque.^{[citation needed]}
97. Austin Montego (1984-94) — 569,000 in a single generation; performance variants also sold under the MG marque.^{[citation needed]}
98. MG MGB (1962-80) — 512,880 made in coupe and roadster variations.^{[citation needed]}
99. Toyota Prius (1997–present) — the first and bestselling mass-produced hybrid vehicle; approximately 504,700 worldwide in three generations to April 2006.^[76]
100. Rover 75 (1998-2005) — 355,194 made over two generations. Sold in saloon and tourer variations. Also called the MG ZT.^{[citation needed]}
101. Rover 800 (1986–99) — 317,126 made in two generations.^{[citation needed]}
102. Nissan 240SX (1989-98) — 259,730 made for the US specification cars over two generations, does not account for other productions of Silvia, 180SX and 200SX.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] See also

• List of automobile manufacturers
• List of automotive superlatives

[edit] Footnotes