The recent supply chain issues, computer chip shortage, and economic troubles have left the automotive world grasping at straws. Yet, some notable new models have cut against the grain, defying the status quo while stacking up high sales figures and competing to become the best-selling new cars in 2022.
A deeper look through automotive's rich history unearths parallels with the current state of the market, its problems notwithstanding. Some manufacturers can find success amidst adversity, which has happened too often. Where most models failed miserably, a few nameplates managed to scoop millions of sales, some across multiple decades of continuous production. Here are the best-selling car models ever made.
10 Ford Model T - 15 Million
The Ford Model T is one of the first ever mass-production vehicles and a revolutionary vehicle with many firsts in the automotive world. It was affordable, simple to operate, and durable and has maintained a timeless legacy more than a century later.
It remains one of the all-time best-selling vehicles, with more than 15 million copies sold between 1908 and 1927. Low pricing allowed many households to afford the car and helped elevate Ford to the giant we know today.
9 Lada Riva - 18 Million
Former Top Gera Presenter Jeremy Clarkson christened the Lada Riva the worst car in the world. There are undoubtedly many more people of a similar opinion, seeing it is rarely reliable and offers nothing in the way of comfort or driving dynamics.
But this negativity didn't get in the way of success for the infamous car of Russian heritage. Lada sold more than 18 million copies of the Riva, making it one of the best-selling cars of all time.
8 Opel/Vauxhall Corsa - 18.6 Million
European car buyers first got a taste of the Corsa nameplate in 1982, and in the next decades, it would sell about 18.6 million units. The supermini has been a main feature in Europe's top three best-selling cars.
Forty years later, the Opel Corsa has hit the market under various guises and badges while remaining the German brand's most successful product.
7 Ford Fiesta - 22 Million
Since its debut in 1976, the Ford Fiesta has remained one of the best-value-for-money small cars on the market. It blends affordability with a comfortable upmarket interior and a brilliant driving demeanor in a well-equipped, easy-to-live-with package. Ford has sold more than 22 million copies in over four decades.
Sadly, the Ford Fiesta is one of the latest victims of change as the Blue Oval brand as part of its electrification efforts. It was never glamorous but was hugely popular and will remain among the best-selling cars of all time after production ends in 2022.
6 Volkswagen Beetle - 21 Million+
The beetle isn't the Wolfsburg brand's best-selling model but it is undoubtedly their most iconic car. Many people consider the original people's car the most influential passenger car in the world because it changed how we view modern transportation.
It was affordable, easy to work on, fun to drive, and incredibly durable, and it's no surprise it became a global sales phenomenon after the war. It became one of the longest-production cars, with sales exceeding 21 million copies.
5 Honda Civic - 27 Million+
In 2022, Honda celebrates fifty years of the fun, efficient, and iconic Civic. It is their longest-running model and their best-selling model of all time. It debuted in 1972 as an economy car but quickly earned many car enthusiasts' respect.
The Honda Civic is approaching 30 million sales globally, with more than 12 million coming from the US and making it America's best-selling small car since its debut. It is a legend with a beautiful story, rising from humble beginnings into a respectable high-performance car.
4 Volkswagen Passat - 30 Million
In 2019, the 30th million Volkswagen Passat rolled off the assembly lines, making it the second bestselling VW ever. This is a major feat for the nameplate introduced in 1973 to replace the VW 1600. It is a true global seller with ten plants on three continents serving over 100 markets.
You can have the Passat in sedan or station wagon body styling alongside an array of capable powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid. It is the best-selling midsize nameplate and has been an important family car across eight model generations.
3 Volkswagen Golf - 35.5 Million
Volkswagen has sold more than 35 million copies of the Golf since its debut in 1974. A little crunching with numbers reveals an insane fact; a customer takes delivery of a VW Golf every 40 seconds for more than four decades.
The Golf is an awesome compact car with a wide range of engines and a strong history to back its excellence. It is Volkswagen's third model on this list which shows the brand's market dominance.
2 Ford F Series - 43 Million
Ford celebrated a major milestone in 2017, as the F-Series truck reached its fortieth year as the best-selling truck in America and the thirty-fifth year as the best-selling vehicle. But, the popular nameplate's roots go back to 1948, with Ford selling more than 43 million units since the debut.
The truck has consistently remained relevant in an ever-changing pickup truck landscape, and its current iteration is the toughest, smartest, and most capable F-series ever.
1 Toyota Corolla - 50 Million+
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It took Toyota 55 years and 12 generations of consistency to sell its 50-millionth Corolla, a feat they achieved in July 2021. It grew from a humble start and evolved to offer more room, comfort, and performance on its way to becoming the world's best-selling model of all time.
The Corolla is a great option for buyers seeking a reliable, fuel-efficient, practical, and affordable car. These are needs for practically every household, and Toyota struck the winning formula with the Corolla, which earned its place at the top of the automotive sales chart.