This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (December 2012)
The 1966 Volkswagen Beetle. It is the all-time best-selling car with only a single body style.
While references to verify the manufacturers' claims have been included, there is always the possibility of inaccuracy or hyperbole. A single vehicle can be sold concurrently under several nameplates in different markets, as with for example the Nissan Sunny; in such circumstances manufacturers often provide only cumulative units sold figures for all models. As a result, there is no definitive standard for measuring units sold; Chrysler minivans has sold over 16 million worldwide, while Volkswagen has claimed its Beetle is the best-selling car in history, as it did not substantially change throughout its production run.[1] By contrast, Toyota has applied the Corolla nameplate to 12 generations since 1966, which have sold over 50 million through 2021.[2]
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World's bestsellers
Summarize
Perspective
Three cars have been widely acknowledged as the "bestselling automobile in the world" since Ford built its millionth Model T on December 10, 1915. The Model T itself remained the highest seller until forty five years after production ceased in 1927. On February 17, 1972 Volkswagen claimed that the Ford had been surpassed by the Beetle, when the 15,007,034th was manufactured.[1] Although the Model T has subsequently been credited with 16.5million units sold, the error is inconsequential in light of the Beetle reaching 21 million.[3] The Model T was eventually surpassed within Ford by the Ford F-Series, a pickup truck that is directly descended from the Model T roadster pickup.
The Beetle remained the bestselling vehicle in the car industry until the late 1990s,[4] when it was overtaken by the more modern and efficient Toyota Corolla.[5] However, this was an example of the modern practice of applying a brand name across a wide range of vehicles, and retaining it for marketing purposes even as the car changes drastically.[6] While the first Corolla in 1966 was rear-wheel drive and rode on a 2286mm wheelbase, the current hybrid and all-wheel drive models share a 2640mm wheelbase and use a mechanically unrelated platform.[7] Sales of the Beetle were also surpassed by its successor nameplate, the Volkswagen Golf.
The first car to achieve one million, five million, ten million and fifteen million units sold.[8] In 1914, it was estimated that nine out of every ten cars in the world were Fords.[citation needed]
Approximately 3,870,000 excluding early Series 62hardtops, 1981–1988, 1991–93, and 2000–05. (Total production for those periods is unknown, but a good guess is over 1,300,000.)[50][51]
Approximately 2,060,000 in six generations not counting 1949–53 four-doors, 1953 coupés, Dodge Chargers and Super Bees. (Production of 1949–53 four-doors and 1953 coupés is unknown but a reasonable guess is about 400,000 total.)
Approximately 8,800,000 worldwide to 2004. Sold over six million in Western Europe before being replaced by the Punto in 1995, while production continued in South Africa, Poland and Brazil.[56]
Over 18,000,000 sold worldwide in 25 years, in the four generations up to 2007. 10million were sold only in Europe alone.[75] The best-selling car in the world in 1998, surpassing the Toyota Corolla with 910,839 sales, at that time being produced in four continents, and was sold under five marques with five different body styles.[76]
3,949,597 up to 2008.[31] The sales of the fourth generation of the SEAT Ibiza, as well as those of its derivatives (such as the SEAT Córdoba and the SEAT Inca, or the rebadged versions) are not included in the figures.
Approximately 600,000 not counting 1916–17 and 1940–42. (Production for 1916–17 and 1940–42 is unknown but a reasonable guess is about 80,000.)[50][92]
5,000,000 in four generations up to September 2022.[107] Combined sales of the Prius family nameplate totaled over 6,000,000 units in January 2017.[108]
Approximately 3,870,000 excluding early Series 62hardtops, 1981–1988, 1991–93, and 2000–05. (Total production for 1981–1988, 1991–93 and 2000–05 is unknown but a good guess is over 1,300,000.)[50][51]
Also accounting for the 911 Carrera Cup produced between 1990 through to 1997. PistonHeads claimed sales went back to the introduction of the GT3 in 1998.[117][118]
Over 12,000,000 in six generations to August 2015[124]
Best-selling van nameplate of all-time.[124] Second-generation T2 sold for 46 years (1967–2013), longest production run of any van and second-longest production of any Volkswagen (except for Type 1 Beetle).