The global car market in 2024 experienced significant shifts, with Tesla Model Y retaining its spot as the world’s best-selling vehicle for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, Toyota maintained its stronghold in ICE (internal combustion engine) and hybrid segments, and BYD’s aggressive EV expansion signaled the rise of Chinese automakers on the global stage. These trends highlight the evolving landscape of Best-Selling Cars 2024, where consumer preferences continue to shift toward EVs, hybrids, and SUVs.
This report presents a comprehensive breakdown of the top-selling cars of 2024, key regional insights, automaker performance analysis, and 2025 sales predictions, based on data from Statista, Focus2Move, Motor1, and official financial reports from Tesla, Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, BYD, and more.
Top 10 Best-Selling Cars in the World – 2024 (With Sources)
| Rank | Car Model | Global Sales (Million Units) | Year-over-Year Change | Source |
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | 1.09 | -1.2% | Tesla Q4 2024 Report |
| 2 | Toyota Corolla | 1.08 | -3.1% | Toyota IR Report |
| 3 | Toyota RAV4 | 1.02 | +10.7% | Focus2Move |
| 4 | Ford F-Series | 0.90 | +1.5% | Ford Q3 2024 Report |
| 5 | Honda CR-V | 0.74 | +4.2% | Motor1 2024 Sales Report |
| 6 | Chevrolet Silverado | 0.64 | +1.5% | GM Q4 2024 Report |
| 7 | Hyundai Tucson | 0.61 | -2.8% | Hyundai IR Report |
| 8 | Toyota Camry | 0.58 | -9.1% | Toyota IR Report |
| 9 | BYD Song | 0.57 | +45.3% | BYD Financial Report |
| 10 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 0.54 | +10.5% | Volkswagen Q3 2024 Report |
Key Takeaways from 2024 Car Sales Data
1. Tesla Model Y Maintains Global Leadership
- 1.09 million units sold, though sales declined 1.2%, reflecting growing EV competition.
- Strong demand in Europe & China, driven by Gigafactory expansion and battery efficiency improvements.
- Tesla is facing more competition, but remains dominant in the premium EV segment.
2. Toyota Corolla Retains Top Sedan Spot Despite Decline
- Sales fell by 3.1%, yet the Corolla remains the world’s best-selling sedan.
- The hybrid Corolla variant is gaining traction, especially in Europe and Asia.
3. Toyota RAV4 Strengthens SUV Dominance
- With 1.02 million units sold (+10.7%), the RAV4 remains the world’s best-selling SUV.
- The RAV4 Hybrid variant saw exceptional growth, especially in North America & Europe.
4. Ford F-Series & Chevrolet Silverado Lead Truck Segment
- Ford F-Series sold 900,000 units, remaining the top-selling truck globally.
- The Chevrolet Silverado followed with 640,000 units sold, showing steady growth.
- EV trucks (Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck) may disrupt this market in 2025.
5. Honda CR-V Gains Market Share in SUVs
- 738,743 units sold (+4.2%), maintaining its spot among top SUVs globally.
- The CR-V Hybrid is growing in popularity, indicating a shift toward fuel efficiency.
6. Hyundai Tucson Faces Slight Decline
- 609,014 units sold (-2.8%), likely due to increased competition from Toyota & Honda SUVs.
- Still a top choice in Asia and Europe, where compact SUVs dominate.
7. Toyota Camry Faces Pressure from SUVs
- Sales dropped by 9.1% as consumers increasingly prefer SUVs over sedans.
- However, Camry Hybrid remains a strong performer in fuel-conscious markets.
8. BYD Song’s Meteoric Rise
- Sales skyrocketed 45.3% to 574,351 units, making it China’s best-selling SUV.
- BYD’s aggressive EV push is reshaping the global automotive landscape.
9. Volkswagen Tiguan Sees Strong Growth
- Tiguan sales grew 10.5%, reflecting Volkswagen’s continued success in SUVs.
- VW is accelerating its electrification push, targeting more EV sales by 2025.
Predictions for 2025: What to Expect?
1. EV & Hybrid Market to Continue Growing
- Tesla, BYD, and Volkswagen are expected to expand EV sales further.
- Toyota & Honda’s hybrid models will gain more ground as fuel prices fluctuate.
2. SUVs & Pickups to Dominate Global Sales
- Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Volkswagen Tiguan expected to grow further.
- Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram pickups will retain U.S. market leadership.
Annotations Added for 2025 Targets:
- Tesla: Aims to sell 2 million EVs globally by 2025.
- BYD: Rapidly expanding outside China, targeting global dominance in EVs.
- Toyota: Focusing on hybrid vehicles, increasing production to meet demand for fuel-efficient models.
3. Chinese Automakers Expanding Globally
- BYD & NIO aggressively entering Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
- More direct competition with Tesla in EVs.
4. New Models That Could Disrupt Rankings
- Tesla Cybertruck & Ford F-150 Lightning will shake up the truck segment.
- Toyota’s upcoming hybrid SUVs may steal market share from traditional sedans.
Best-Selling Cars 2024 Final Thoughts
The 2024 car market showed EV growth, SUV dominance, and steady pickup sales. Tesla, Toyota, and BYD solidified their leadership, while Ford, Chevrolet, and Volkswagen adjusted to shifting consumer preferences.
As we move into 2025, expect further EV adoption, hybrid innovation, and increased global competition. With new model launches and regulatory changes, car rankings will likely shift once again.
Stay tuned for the latest automotive market updates and 2025 forecasts!
