The world’s top 500 best-selling cars in 2023

Here we are again with the most complete, accurate, and engaging global sales ranking of cars you can find online. After some months of research, conversations with local people from the markets, and many emails, I finally got the global picture of what happened last year.

Among the main findings:

• Tesla shakes the industry placing the Model Y as the world’s top-selling vehicle. It is the first time that an electric car occupies this position; it is also the first time that we see such a big growth in terms of volume between one year and another: 480,000 units more than in 2022. As it wasn’t enough for a brand that did not exist 25 years ago, the Model 3 hit the top 10.
• Toyota continued to shine despite losing the crown. The RAV4 (aka Wildlander in China) posted growth but it was not enough to overcome the popular Model Y. Still, Toyota managed to place five of its models in the global top 10! Not bad at all. As expected, the Corolla sedan was negatively affected by the increasing popularity of the Corolla Cross, its SUV sibling. The Hilux continued to rule in the emerging world.
• Honda did also a very good job with the latest generation CR-V, aka Breeze in China. The new Civic had also a good year, but the Accord was out of the top 10.
• The Ford F-150 continued to be the world’s top-selling pickup truck thanks to its key position in the US market.
• The BYD Qin was China’s most popular car thanks mostly to the domestic demand. BYD placed other two models in the top 25.
• Hyundai placed the Tucson on its long-wheelbase version (or EWB, extended-wheelbase) as Korea’s most popular model.
• Europe keeps losing ground as its cars do not appeal a big part of the world’s consumers. In fact, this can become a big problem as its local industry is not fully aligned to the majority of the world’s trends. In fact, its most popular model, the Volkswagen Polo hatchback, in 20th position, was the most popular European car.

From the top 100:

• 50 SUVs
• 35 Japanese models
• 11 Toyota models
• 12 Chinese models
• 6 BYD models
• 29 European models

From the top 500:

• 220 SUVs
• 122 Japanese models
• 42 Toyota models
• 80 Chinese models
• 10 BYD models
• 146 European models

Source: Aniacam, Fenabrave, Unrae, CCFA, KBA, SMMT, Andemos, CAAM, JAMA, JATO, Kama, Taia, Vama, ALADDA, AIDVA, AMIA, Adefa, Anac, Araper, AEADE, Autonews.ma, Automobile.tn, Traficom, Samgongustofa, eTab, statistica.sm, SAT, estadistica.ad, td.gov.hk, CMTA, financialtribune.com, Autopista, stat.uz, eauto.org.ua

Many thanks to all the friends and contacts that shared the information with me.