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
- 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]
- Ford F-Series (1948–present) — America's bestselling vehicle for 23 consecutive years;[2] over 29,000,000 in eleven generations.[3]
- Volkswagen Golf (1974–present) — became Volkswagen's bestseller in 2002; over 25,000,000 in five generations up to 2006.[4]
- Volkswagen Beetle (1938–2003) — 21,529,464; the bestselling single design in history, and the first car to reach twenty million sales.[5]
- Ford Escort (1968–2003) — in six generations, almost 20,000,000 worldwide; Ford's bestselling car nameplate.[6]
- Honda Civic (1972–present) — over 16,500,000 in eight generations.[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]
- Nissan Sunny / Sentra / Pulsar (1966–present) — over 16,000,000 in ten generations.[8]
- Volkswagen Passat (1973–present) — over 15,000,000 in five generations.[9]
- Lada Riva (1980–present) — 13,500,000 until exports to Europe were discontinued in 1997; production continues in both Russia and Egypt.[8]
- 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). All over eight generations[10]
- Ford Fiesta (1976–present) — over 12,000,000 in six generations.[11]
- Oldsmobile Cutlass (1961–99) — 11,900,000 across several platforms and six generations.[12]
- Opel Corsa (1982–present) — over 11,000,000 in three generations up to 2002, including "Corsa-based vehicles".[13]
- 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]
- Mazda Familia (1963–2003) — also badged as the Protegé and 323; over 10,000,000 in the first eight generations to 1995.[15]
- Toyota Camry (1983–present) — over 10,000,000 in five generations.[16]
- BMW 3 series (1977–present) — over 9,500,000 in the first four generations to 2005.[17] The best selling vehicle from a premium brand.
- Fiat Uno (1983–present) — approximately 8,800,000 worldwide to 2004 in two generations;[18] sold over six million in Europe before being replaced by the Punto in 1995.[19]
- Renault Clio (1991–present) — the bestselling French car; 8,535,280 in the first two generations up to 2005.[20]
- 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]
- Renault 4 (1961–92) — over 8,000,000 of a single design.[22]
- Ford Mustang (1964–present) — over 9,000,000 in five generations.[3]
- 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]
- Ford Taurus (1986–present) — approximately 6,700,000 in four generations.[24]
- Volkswagen Jetta (1980-present) - approximately 6,600,000 in four generations.[25]
- Fiat Punto (1993–present) — over 6,000,000 in two generationsup to 2005.[26]
- Mitsubishi Lancer (1973–present) — over 6,000,000 in the first seven generations to the end of 2006.[27]
- Buick LeSabre (1959–2005) — over 6,000,000 over eight generations.[28]
- Chevrolet Cavalier (1982–2005) — estimated to be over 6,000,000 in three generations; 5,210,123 were sold up to 1999.[29]
- Ford Explorer (1991–present) — over 5,500,000 in four generations.[30]
- Mini (1959–2000) — the bestselling British-made car; 5,505,874 in a single design.[31]
- Renault 5 (1972–96) — 5,471,709, including a mid-life major face-lift.[31]
- Peugeot 206 (1998–present) — approximately 5,400,000 in a single generation to 2006; PSA Peugeot Citroën's bestselling car.[32]
- Peugeot 205 (1983–98) — over 5,278,000 in a single generation.[33]
- Ford Focus (1998–present) — over 5,000,000 in two generations.[34]
- Ford Crown Victoria (1955–56, 1980–present) — over 5,000,000 in two generations.[3]
- Ford E-Series (1961–present) — formerly known as the Econoline; over 5,000,000.[3]
- Ford Ranger (1983–2003) — over 5,000,000.[3]
- Mitsubishi Galant (1969–present) — estimated to be over 5,000,000 in nine generations; up to 1997, 4.9 million were sold.[35]
- Chevrolet Camaro (1967–2002) — almost 4,800,000 in four generations.[36]
- Polski Fiat 126p (1973-2000) - 4,671,586 in a single design. [37]
- Opel Vectra (1988–present) — 4,500,000 in the first two generations up to 2002, also including UK sales as the Vauxhall Cavalier.[38]
- Volkswagen Gol (1980–present) — Brazil's bestselling car for 19 consecutive years; over 4,500,000 in four generations.[39]
- Opel Ascona (1970–88) — 4,400,000 in three generations, including the UK-market Vauxhall Cavalier, and the South African-market Chevrolet Ascona.[38]
- Ford Model A (1927–31) — 4,320,446 sales for the successor to the Ford Model T.[40]
- Ford Cortina (1962–82) — over 4,300,000 in five generations.[41]
- Toyota Land Cruiser (1953–present) — over 4,000,000 in five generations.[42]
- Pontiac Grand Am (1973–75, 1978–80, 1985–2006) — Pontiac's bestselling nameplate; over 4,000,000 in five generations.[43]
- Hindustan Ambassador (1958–present) — Indian-built version of the Morris Oxford; almost 4,000,000 in a single generation to 2004.[44]
- Citroën 2CV (1948–90) — 3,872,583 in a single design; including commercial variants, the total figure is approximately nine million.[45]
- Fiat 500 (1957–75) — known as the Nuova to distinguish it from the earlier Topolino; 3,600,000 in a single design.[46]
- Fiat 127 (1971–83) — Fiat's first supermini, 3,730,000, not including sales of licensed or derivative versions by SEAT and Zastava.[31]
- Ford Falcon (1960–present) — over 3,000,000 in six generations to 2003, almost exclusively in Australia and New Zealand.[47]
- Subaru Legacy (1988–present) — over 3,000,000 in four generations to 2005, including Australian sales as the Subaru Liberty.[48]
- Trabant (1957–91) — over 3,000,000 built by VEB Sachsenring in Zwickau, Saxony until the reunification of Germany led to the closure of the factory.[49]
- Peugeot 504 (1968–2006) — more than 3,000,000 built by Peugeot in France, Argentina, China, Kenya and Nigeria.[50]
- Jeep Cherokee (XJ) (1984–present) — 2,884,172 in North America until 2001; production continues in China.[51]
- Volvo 200 series (1974–93) — 2,862,573 in a single generation; the bestselling car built in Sweden.[52]
- Ford Sierra (1982–1993) - approximately 2,700,500 across two generations.[citation needed]
- 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.[53]
- Peugeot 405 (1988-1997) — 2,500,000' vehicles have been sold worldwide.[citation needed]
- Suzuki Wagon R (1993–present) — Japan's bestselling kei car; over 2,500,000 in three generations to June 2006.[54]
- Honda CR-V (1996–present) — approximately 2,500,000 to September 2006, claims to be the bestselling "entry level crossover SUV".[55]
- Mitsubishi Pajero (1982–present) — also known as the Montero and Shogun in various export markets; approximately 2,500,000 of the first three generations.[56]
- Pontiac Firebird (1967–2002) — approximately 2,500,000 in four generations.[57]
- Maruti 800 (1984–present) — a rebadged Suzuki Alto, and the current bestselling car in India; 2,400,000 of a single generation.[58]
- Holden Commodore (1978–present) — 2,400,000 in the first three generations up to 2006.[59]
- Renault Twingo (1993-present) - 2,400,000 sold of the original, with minimal revisions.[60]
- BMC ADO16 (1962–74) — 2,167,783 made under the brand names of Austin, Morris, MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and Wolseley.[citation needed]
- 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.[61]
- Chevrolet Vega (1971–77) — 2,113,909 as a Vega or Pontiac Astre.[62]
- Rover Metro (1980–98) — first sold as the Austin Mini Metro and later Rover 100; 2,078,718 made over one generation. [1]
- Simca 1000 (1961–78) — 1,935,098.[61]
- Mercedes-Benz W201 (1983–93) — known as the Mercedes 190; 1,879,629 in a single generation.[63]
- Chevrolet Corvair (1960–69) — 1,835,170 in a two generations despite an abrupt end to production.[64]
- Nissan Maxima (1981–present) — 1,700,000 in the first five generations up to 2001.[65]
- Nissan Z-cars (1969–98, 2003–present) — 1,685,000 in five generations up to 2005; World's bestselling sports car.[66]
- Nissan Micra (1982–present) — European version the Nissan March; 1,550,000 units built by UK plant in Sunderland since 1992.[citation needed]
- Vauxhall Viva (1963–79) — 1,501,353 in three generations.[67][68][69]
- Citroën DS (1955–76) — 1,455,746; sold 12,000 in a single day upon release at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.[70]
- 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]
- Morris Minor (1948–71) — 1,368,291 in a single generation of saloons, estates, vans, pickup trucks and convertibles.[71]
- Chevrolet Corvette (1953–present) — 1,302,401 of the first five generations sold to 2003.[72]
- Nissan Primera (1990–present) — 1,271,887 in three generations.[citation needed]
- Autobianchi A112 (1969–86) — 1,254,178; also marketed as Lancia A112 in some markets and periods.[73]
- Volvo 140 (1966–74) — 1,252,371 in a single generation.[52]
- Volvo 700 series (1982–92) — 1,239,222 in a single generation.[52]
- Buick Riviera (1963-99) — 1,127,261 built over eight generations.[74]
- Renault 4CV (1946–61) — 1,105,547 of a single design; the first French car to achieve more than one million sales.[75]
- Volvo 300 series (1976–91) — 1,086,405 in a single generation.[52]
- Volvo S40 / V40 (1995–2004) — 1,000,034 in a single generation.[52]
- Peugeot 207 (2006-present) - 1,000,000
- Honda Fit (2001–present) — over 1,000,000 in a single generation, including export sales as the Honda Jazz;[76] the bestselling car in Japan, and the first in that country to outsell the Toyota Corolla since 1969.[77]
- 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.[78]
- Mazda 6 (2002–present) — Mazda's previous fastest seller; 1,000,000 in four years.[79]
- Mazda MPV (1988–present) — 1,000,000 in three generations.[79]
- Hyundai Elantra (1991–present) — 1,000,000 in the first three generations to 2006.[80]
- 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.[81]
- Lincoln Town Car (1981–present) — one of the bestselling luxury cars in the United States. 944,030 were sold between 1994 and 2005.[82]
- Saab 900 (1978–93) — Saab's bestseller; 908,810 in a single generation of sedans, hatchbacks and convertibles.[83]
- Mazda RX-7 (1978–2002) — Mazda's bestselling and longest running rotary engined sportscar; 811,634 in a three generations.[84]
- Morris Marina (1971–80) — 807,000 of a single genertation.[citation needed]
- Dacia Logan/MCV/Van — 783,283 from launch in 2004 [85]
- Rover 400 (1990–05) — 769,275 made in three generations. Later badged Rover 45 and MG ZS.[citation needed]
- 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, convertible (open top) sports car in history.[86]
- AMC Gremlin (1970–78) — 671,475 of a single generation.[87]
- Austin Allegro (1973–83) — 642,350 of a single generation, either as a hatchback or estate.[citation needed]
- MG F (1995–2005) — over 641,000 made in two generations. The bestselling two-seater sports car in history before the Mazda MX-5.[citation needed]
- Morris Oxford (1913–71) — 640,263 made over ten generations.[citation needed]
- Austin Maestro (1983–94) — 611,150 in a single generation; performance variants also sold under the MG marque.[citation needed]
- Austin Montego (1984–94) — 569,000 in a single generation; performance variants also sold under the MG marque.[citation needed]
- MG MGB (1962–80) — 512,880 made in coupe and roadster variations.[citation needed]
- Toyota Prius (1997–present) — the first and bestselling mass-produced hybrid vehicle; approximately 504,700 worldwide in three generations to April 2006.[88]
- Lancia Dedra (1989-2000) - 418,084 in a single generation.[89]
- Rover 75 (1998–present) — 355,194 made over one generations. Sold in saloon and tourer variations. Also called the MG ZT and MG 7.[citation needed]
- Rover 800 (1986–99) — 317,126 made in two generations.[citation needed]
- Nissan 240SX (1989-98) — 259,730 made for the US specification cars over two generations, does not account for other production of Silvia, 180SX and 200SX.[citation needed]
- Honda T360: 108,920 produced from 1963 through 1967[citation needed]
- Honda Airwave: 76,099 sold from 2005 through 2006 with production continuing
- Ferrari 360 (1999–2004) — bestselling Ferrari in history; over 17,000 coupés and convertibles.[90]
- Honda S600: 13,084 produced from 1964 through 1966[citation needed]
- Honda S800: 11,536 produced from 1966 through 1970[citation needed]
- Honda T500: 10,226 produced from 1964 through 1967[citation needed]
- Lamborghini Gallardo (2004–present) — bestselling Lamborghini in history; over 3,000 coupés and convertibles to the end of 2005.[91]
- Honda S500: 1,363 produced from October 1963 through September 1964[citation needed]
- Porsche Carrera GT (2004–2006) — total of 1,270 produced, surpassing the combined totals of the McLaren F1, Enzo Ferrari, and Pagani Zonda, making it the biggest selling supercar of the post McLaren F1 era.[92]
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ "Happy Birthday, Corolla!", Businessweek.com, September 6, 2006
- ^ "Ford's F-Series sets industry truck sales records, Ford-trucks.com, January 4, 2006
- ^ a b c d e f "Ford Nameplates Join Five Million Club", Mike O'Neill, Ford press release, May 5, 2004
- ^ "Volkswagen Rabbit Springs into New York - Just in Time for Easter", VW.com, April 10, 2006
- ^ "The 21,529,464th, and Last, Beetle", NY Times, July 31, 2003
- ^ "Farewell, Ford Escort", Ford Motor Company press release, July 21, 2000
- ^ "How the Honda Civic got its groove back", Joe Guy Collier, Detroit Free Press, May 15, 2006
- ^ a b "Sentra: One of the Best Selling Cars in Automotive History", Nissan Philippines website press release
- ^ "15 millionth Volkswagen Passat produced", Auto Unleashed, November 12, 2007
- ^ "American Car Profile", Marit Anne Peterson, SportsCarMarket.com, August 2006
- ^ "Still going strong, Ford's youthful-spirited Fiesta is celebrating its 30th birthday", Ford.com press release, August 25, 2006
- ^ "Final Cutlass Produced", Autointell.net, June 7, 1999
- ^ "The Opel Corsa celebrates 11 million built in 20 years", GM Europe press release, September 13, 2002
- ^ "No Foolin' - Chrysler Group Surpasses 11,000,000 Minivan Mark", AutoFan.com, April 1, 2005
- ^ "MAZDA:1990-1999 | History", Mazda.com
- ^ "Preview: 2007 Toyota Camry", Ann Job, MSN Autos
- ^ "BMW 3-Series (1975)", Mark Wan, Autozine.org
- ^ "Positive Results for Ford, Fiat", Barbara McClellan, WardsAuto.com, May 23, 2005
- ^ Fiat Uno Turbo Editors' Summary, ReviewCentre.com
- ^ "Renault’s New Clio III"; GreenCarCongress.com, June 26, 2005
- ^ "All-New 2003 Honda Accord Debuts Midsize leader introduces new era of style, performance and sophistication", Honda press release, July 29, 2001
- ^ "The Best French Cars", Michael Frank, Forbes.com, December 13, 2000
- ^ "Happy Birthday, Opel Astra!", GM Europe press release, August 13, 2001
- ^ "End of Ford Taurus closes era", Eric Mayne, The Detroit News, April 19, 2005
- ^ Volkswagen of America (2005-01-05). "ALL-NEW JETTA MAKES WORLDWIDE DEBUT AT L.A. AUTO SHOW". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-04-14.
- ^ "Fiat Punto Production Hits The Six Million Mark", CarPages.co.uk, June 4, 2005
- ^ "All new 2008 Lancer", AllnewLancer.ca
- ^ Buick LeSabre, Edmunds.com, 2005
- ^ "Chevrolet Small Cars: Cobalt, Cavalier, Monza and Vega", Inside Line, Edmunds.com, February 27, 2006
- ^ "2006 Ford Explorer designed to maintain leadeership in changing SUV marketplace", Media.Ford.com
- ^ a b c " Mini: The world's favourite small car?", Ian Nicholls, Austin-Rover.co.uk, October 27, 2005
- ^ "The New Peugeot 206 Look", Carpages.co.uk, August 23, 2006
- ^ "Mulhouse plant produces the fifth millionth Peugeot 206", PSA Peugeot Citroën press release, May 30, 2005
- ^ "The new Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet", TestDriven.co.uk, February 28, 2006
- ^ History and profile of the Mitsubishi Galant, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa website
- ^ "Auto Buyers Have Spoken: GM Will Build An All-New Chevrolet Camaro", GM Media Online, August 10, 2006
- ^ "Fiat 126 Eastern European History and Development by FSM in Poland"
- ^ a b "New Opel Vectra premieres at Geneva", GM Europe press release, March 6, 2002
- ^ VW Brasil official site
- ^ 1928-1931 "Ford Model A", everything2.com
- ^ "The car that named a class", Tom Hale, IrishCar.com, September 2002
- ^ Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota.com
- ^ Pontiac G6 New Car Report, Autozine.org, January 19, 2005
- ^ "Importer plans soft top Indian car", BBC News, August 5, 2004
- ^ Overview of Citroën 2CV at Motorbase.com
- ^ Fiat 500 History, GizmoHighway.com
- ^ Ford Heritage, Ford Australia website
- ^ "Legacy production reaches three million", Subaru press release, March 15, 2005
- ^ "Trabant Canada"
- ^ "The evolution of PEUGEOTs world car in Europe 1968 - 1983", Peugeot 504 History
- ^ "Jeep Cherokee(XJ) 1984 to 2001", XJFreak.com website
- ^ a b c d e Volvo Car Production Statistics, Volvo Owners' Club
- ^ "Mercedes-Benz S-Class continues to be world's best-selling premium automobile", DaimlerChrysler Middle East press release, December 1, 2004
- ^ "SUZUKI Annual Report 2006", June 2006
- ^ "2007 Honda CR-V -- Overview", Hondanews.com, September 1, 2006
- ^ "Mitsubishi Motors launches new Pajero", Mitsubishi Motors press release], October 4, 2006
- ^ (January 2003) " Pontiac Firebird - The Auto-Biography". Veloce Publishing, 192pp. ISBN 1-903706-67-X.
- ^ " New face to good old Maruti 800", S. Muralidhar, The Hindu Business Line, February 13, 2005
- ^ "GM Holden Launches Production of New Commodore Range", Alan Harman, WardsAuto.com, July 19, 2006
- ^ http://www.renault.com/renault_com/en/main/01_Actualites/05_VEHICULES_ET_SERVICES/detailrubrique.aspx?uri=tcm:1120-574767
- ^ a b Development of Simca 1100 cars. Rootes-Chrysler.co.uk. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
- ^ "Vega and Monza: 1971-1979". Inside Line. Retrieved on 2007-01-12.
- ^ "Die Produktion der Baureihe 201" (German), Baureihe201.de
- ^ "Corvair Production Numbers", Corvair Society of America website
- ^ "2001 Nissan Maxima SE", Jill Amadio, TheCarConnection.com, September 4, 2000
- ^ "Nissan 350Z Passes 1.5 Million in Sales; Enhanced for 2006 Model Year", TheAutoChannel.com, August 15, 2005
- ^ "The Vauxhall Viva HA", Vauxhall Viva Owners' Club
- ^ "The Vauxhall Viva HB", Vauxhall Viva Owners' Club
- ^ "The Vauxhall Viva HC", Vauxhall Viva Owners' Club
- ^ "France Celebrates 50 Years Of The DS", Citroën Australia press release, October 3, 2005
- ^ Sedgwick, M.; Gillies (1987). A-Z of Cars 1945-1970. Bideford, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1-870979-39-7.
- ^ "1953 - 2003 Corvette Production", Corvette Action Center, Inc.
- ^ The Autobianchi information site. The Etceterini pages @ CarsFromItaly.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-03. (accessed via the Wayback Machine)
- ^ Riviera Production Numbers. Riviera Owners Association. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
- ^ "Renault 750 & 4CV cars in the UK", 4CV.co.uk website
- ^ "Small never felt so Big", Dan Neil, Los Angeles Times, June 16, 2006
- ^ "Honda Fit holds sway in Japan", Naoko Fujimura & Masumi Suga, Bloomberg News, January 12, 2005
- ^ "Mazda 3 MPS Road Test", HonestJohn.co.uk, October 12, 2006
- ^ a b "MAZDA:1990-1999 | History", Mazda.com
- ^ "2006 New York Auto Show", Kelly Toepke, Edmunds.com
- ^ K-Car (Dodge Aries, Plymouth Reliant) Production Figures, Allpar.com
- ^ Forbes, Town Car sales figures (1994-2005). Retrieved on 2006-08-07.
- ^ "Saab Reaches Four Million Production Milestone", Carpages.co.uk, June 27, 2005
- ^ Mazda RX-8 and Rotary Community » Mazda Rotary Engine History
- ^ http://www.renault.com/renault_com/en/imag...1120-707398.pdf
- ^ "Mazda Recharges the Miata", Mark Scott, BusinessWeek online, August 3, 2006
- ^ "The Gremlin: AMC's Successful Compact", Drew Beck, Allpar.com
- ^ "Worldwide Prius Sales Top 500,000 Mark", Toyota.co.jp press release, June 7, 2006
- ^ "Produktionszahlen marke Lancia 1908 - 2004", Lancia Historie, April 24, 2007
- ^ "All-Aluminum Ferrari F430 To Replace 360 Modena", Aluminium Now, Vol. 6, no.6, November/December 2004
- ^ "Gallardo Lamborghini's best selling car of all time", LeftLaneNews.com, November 11, 2005
- ^ Porsche Carrera GT Production Ends