The Best-Selling Car Models in History (1908–2026)
How automobiles shaped the 20th and 21st centuries — from Model T to Corolla and beyond
From the first mass-produced cars on dusty roads to modern best-sellers topping global sales charts, the automotive industry has come a long way. Throughout history, a small set of iconic models have captured drivers’ hearts and dominated sales worldwide. This article dives into the top selling car models by decade, unveils the total best-selling models from 1908 to 2026, explores leading brands and their countries of origin, and highlights top sellers in key global markets — including country favorites such as the USA, UK, Germany, Russia, Greece, Italy, and many more.
Historical Best-Selling Car Models by Decade
1900s – 1910s: The Dawn of Mass Production
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Ford Model T (1908–1927): Often regarded as the first truly mass-produced automobile. Built using pioneering assembly line methods, it revolutionized personal transportation and made cars affordable for the middle class. Over its production run, it sold around 16.5 million units, dominating early automotive history.
🛣️ The Model T was so ubiquitous in its day that by 1914 it was estimated that nine out of every ten cars on the road were Fords.
1920s – 1930s: The Rise of European Icons
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Volkswagen Beetle (1938–2003): Emerging as one of the first global cars, the Beetle became a cultural icon and a massive sales success with over 21 million units produced.
🚗 The Beetle remained the world’s best-selling car for decades until overtaken by more modern models.
1940s – 1950s: Post-War Expansion
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Ford F-Series (1948–present): Introduced as a practical pickup truck, the F-Series grew into America’s most beloved truck line, with total sales now exceeding 40 million units — making it one of the biggest global sellers.
1960s – 1970s: Japanese Efficiency Meets Global Demand
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Toyota Corolla (1966–present): Unquestionably the best-selling car model of all time. Since its debut, it has sold over 50 million vehicles worldwide, thanks to its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability.
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Honda Civic (1972–present): Another Japanese success story, the Civic has sold ≈28 million units globally as a favorite compact car for families and commuters.
1980s – 1990s: Compact Cars and Global Platforms
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Renault Clio (1990–present): A European favorite supermini, selling nearly 17 million units and often topping charts in France and across Europe.
2000s – 2010s: The Age of SUVs and Crossovers
While the automotive scene diversified, the long-running leaders — Corolla, F-Series, and Civic — continued strong. Meanwhile, SUVs began rising in popularity, with models like the RAV4 and CR-V gaining millions of sales globally.
2020s – Present
Today’s sales charts are shaped by shifting consumer tastes, especially SUVs and electric vehicles. For instance, in 2025 the Dacia Sandero became one of Europe’s top sellers, recording close to 290,000 sales worldwide thanks to its affordability and practicality.
Top Selling Models of All Time (1908–2026)
Based on cumulative historical production and sales data, below are the most successful car models ever:
| Rank | Model | Production Years | Approx. Units Sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Corolla | 1966–present | ~50 million+ |
| 2 | Ford F-Series | 1948–present | ~40 million+ |
| 3 | Honda Civic | 1972–present | ~28 million |
| 4 | Volkswagen Beetle | 1938–2003 | ~21.5 million |
| 5 | Toyota Hilux | 1968–present | ~19 million |
| 6 | Renault Clio | 1990–present | ~16.8 million |
| 7 | Ford Model T | 1908–1927 | ~16.5 million |
| 8 | Volkswagen Golf | 1974–present | ~37 million+ (various estimates) |
| 9 | Mini (classic) | 1959–2000 | ~5.3 million |
| 10 | Peugeot 206 | 1998–2012 | ~8.1 million |
Note: Exact figures differ by source and whether variants or badge-engineered models are included, but the overall ranking is widely supported by production data.
Top Selling Car Brands (Global)
Global sales figures show which automotive brands have moved the most vehicles worldwide in recent years (e.g., 2025):
| Brand | Country of Origin | Approx. 2025 Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Japan | ~4.7 million |
| Volkswagen | Germany | ~2.3 million |
| Ford | USA | ~2.07 million |
| BYD | China | ~2.0 million |
| Hyundai | South Korea | ~1.96 million |
| Honda | Japan | ~1.66 million |
| Suzuki | Japan | ~1.63 million |
| Nissan | Japan | ~1.62 million |
| Kia | South Korea | ~1.58 million |
| Chevrolet | USA | ~1.49 million |
Top Selling Car Models by Country (2025 Snapshot)
Below are known top sellers in specific markets (data varies and updates year-to-year):
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USA: Ford F-Series continues as the perennial best-selling vehicle (pickup dominance in the US market).
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United Kingdom: Ford Puma was the best-selling new car in 2025.
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Germany: Traditionally Volkswagen Golf leads sales there.
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France: Renault Clio often tops annual French charts.
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Italy: Fiat Panda has been a frequent Italian favorite.
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Greece: The Toyota Yaris (or Yaris Cross) has been among the best-selling locally.
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Spain: Dacia Sandero performs strongly in Europe, including Spain.
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Finland: Toyota Corolla often leads Finnish registrations.
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Sweden & Norway: Electric vehicles like Tesla Model Y and the Dacia Sandero are prominent (especially EVs in Norway).
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Canada & Brazil: Pickup trucks and SUV models dominate markets like Canada and Brazil (F-Series, RAV4, etc.; exact figures vary by year).
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China: Domestic models from brands like BYD are increasingly top sellers due to strong EV growth.
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Japan & South Korea: Local brand models like Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit (Japan), Hyundai/Kia SUVs dominate.
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Ukraine & Russia: Historically models like Lada (Russia) or affordable European models have been popular, though data varies widely by year.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🚘 Model T Milestone
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The Ford Model T was the first car ever to achieve cumulative milestones of 1 million, 5 million, 10 million, and 15 million units sold.
🏆 Corolla’s Global Reign
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The Toyota Corolla has been sold in 160+ countries and remains the world’s top car model by volume.
🚙 Pickup Culture
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The Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck line for over four decades, reflecting the country’s preference for pickups.
🇨🇳 China’s Rising Influence
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Chinese brands such as BYD have surged globally, challenging traditional Western and Japanese automakers — especially in EV segments.
Did You Know?
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The Volkswagen Beetle held the title of world’s best-selling car for decades until being overtaken by the Corolla.
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Mini (classic) remains one of the most beloved small cars ever sold, with millions spread over four decades.
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Country preferences vary wildly: SUVs dominate the USA and Canada, while compact city cars are more common in Europe and Japan.
Conclusion
The story of best-selling cars from 1908 to 2026 is one of innovation, cultural change, and global expansion. From the first affordable vehicles like the Ford Model T that put the world on wheels, to the modern best-selling Toyota Corolla driven in every corner of the globe, the evolution reflects both technological advancement and consumer preference shifts. Meanwhile, rising brands and electrification continue reshaping markets worldwide, especially in emerging automotive powerhouses like China.
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