Cars of the People
Neither exotic nor rare, the best selling cars of all time
won't get any car enthusiast's heart pumping. These cars are like Starbucks,
there seems to be one on every corner.
Still they are the best selling cars for a reason. Most have
been highly trusted nameplates with an uncanny ability to quickly adapt to
consumer needs. Many of these cars have lasted decades, with no sign of sales
slowing down. They may not be the sexiest cars of all time, but in all
likelihood you own one or know someone who does.
Scroll through to see the best-selling cars of all time.
10. Toyota Hilux
The fact that we don't get the Toyota Hilux pickup here in
the U.S. doesn't keep it off the list of best-selling nameplates of all time.
It began production in 1968, and has remained immensely popular in the rest of
the world. It's seen use as a passenger truck, in work fleets, militaries and
militias, emergency services and even in race series like the famous Dakar
Rally. Now, Toyota is exploring the future of the Hilux with hydrogen
technology borrowed from the Mirai.
9. Lada Riva
The Lada Riva, also known as the Lada Nova or Lada /
VAZ-2105, 2104 or 2107, first hit the scene in the former Soviet Union in 1980.
But it's bones are actually much older. The humble Lada is based on a modified
Fiat 124 platform, which dates all the way back to 1966.
Millions of these little sedans have been pumped out over the
course of several decades, with the last Riva rolling down the production line
in Russia back in 2012. Production of some Lada Classic models derived from the
Riva carried on for a few more years in Egypt after that, but it seems that
this humble people mover's days have finally come to an end.
8. Toyota Camry
Toyota's second-most-popular nameplate, the Camry, has grown
in both size and popularity over the years. Launched in 1982 as a compact sedan
has expanded into the midsize segment, and its 10 million sales in 2005 has
surged to nearly double that in the time since.
Toyota launched a hybrid variant of the Camry for the 2007
model year, and the eighth-generation was introduced in 2017. While the model
is finally being discontinued in its home market of Japan, we still enjoy the
popular sedan here in the States.
7. Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta was discontinued worldwide in 2023. But in
its long life, spanning 47 years and 7 generations, it generated some 22
million sales. A practical and affordable hatchback, the Fiesta also saw a
sporty ST version, not to mention success in rally racing and as a heavily
modified plaything for the late, great Ken Block.
6. Volkswagen Beetle
From the dream of a despised dictator to a symbol of the
free-wheeling 60's, the Beetle was one of the longest running production cars
in history. Built in 1938 to Hitler's specifications, the Beetle captured
hearts in the counter-culture movement of the 1960s with its cheap price and
funky design.
About 23.5 million units of the lovable Bug have been sold
worldwide. Volkswagen formally said goodbye to the nameplate in December of
2019, when the front-wheel drive replacement that bore the Beetle name was
officially discontinued.
5. Honda Civic
Before the launch of the Civic in 1972, Honda considered
pulling out of car manufacturing altogether. The Civic was the company's first
big hit on the auto market and kept Honda in the business of making cars. Good
thing they kept selling cars, or else they would have missed out about 30 million
Civics sold.
Unlike some other models we've seen on this list, the Honda
Civic is still going strong with a new version for the 2022 model year, and
subsequent Si and Type R variants since then. And no surprise, it's very good.
4. Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat has gone through seven generations,
receiving its last significant update in 2020. And the 2022 model was its very
last here in the United States. But it's had a great run with 30 million cars
sold worldwide since its debut in 1973. Here in the States, it was known as the
Dasher and Quantum before getting its current name.
The Passat was a solid family car, one that offered a touch
of luxury for a pretty decent price. That's what kept it selling so well even
in later years, when the sedan market became intensely competitive.
3. Volkswagen Golf
Sometimes the Golf, sometimes the Rabbit, whatever it's
name, it's the best-selling model of all time for Volkswagen. It came on the
scene in 1974 and since then the boxy hatchback has sold over 35 million units.
The final Volkswagen Golf has been produced for the American
market, but the high-performance GTI and Golf R are still offered here. Like
many other venerable nameplates, the Golf's future seems to be on thin ice as
new electric cars like Volkswagen 's own ID series take over, though Volkswagen
still seems interested in ferrying the Golf nameplate into an electric future.
2. Ford F-Series
The first Ford F-150 was introduced in 1948 and was sold as
the Ford Bonus Built. The first models looks like a classic today but at the
time were a little shaky. Obviously, the truck's quality and stature steadily
improved over subsequent generations. The Ford F-150 has sold more than 43
million models since its inception, making Ford the undisputed king of the
pickup.
The Ford F-Series remains the best-selling vehicle in
America. Demand for the trucks show no sign of slowing down, and the F-150 gets
constant updates to keep it performing at the top. Recently, that includes the
all-electric F-150 Lightning that helps carry the F-Series into the future.
The first Toyota Corolla rolled off of the assembly line and
into our hearts in 1966. By 1974 it was the best-selling car in the world. When
Toyota announced Corolla number 40 million, it said they fly out of dealerships
so quickly the automaker isn't sure who has it or at what location number 40
million was sold. By now, the number has swelled to more than 50 million sold
worldwide.
Corolla's lead is far from secure, however, as crossover
sales have been eating into compact sedan market share in recent years. With
the F-Series not suffering the same cannibalism, it's only a matter of time
before Toyota's compact is officially dethroned.
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