History's 10 Best Selling Cars Of All Time (2024)

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Cars of the People

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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6. VW Beetle

From the dream of a despised dictatorto 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.

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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.

• Image Credit: VW Passat

4. VW 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.

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3. VW Golf

Sometimes theGolf, 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 VW's own ID series take over, though VW still seems interested in ferrying the Golf nameplate into an electric future.

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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.

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1. Toyota Corolla

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.