Motor1.com’s editorial team compiled data about the top-selling cars for 2021. These are country-by-country results.
Motor1.com is a frequent reader. You probably know we are passionate about statistics. Numbers speak louder than words, as they say. Motor1 Numbers is a column that we collaborated with 12 editorial offices from our network to examine the top-selling cars in each country for 2021.
These rankings reflect current trends and show the diversity in consumer preferences across the globe. While North Americans still love SUVs and pickups, Europeans prefer smaller cars like sedans and compact crossovers. Australia, Brazil, Argentina and Brazil love mid-size trucks. However, MPVs are preferred in populous countries such as Indonesia.
It is well-known that the chip crisis and the uncertainty resulting from the pandemic had a negative impact on car demand last fiscal year. However, each nation’s markets did not change in the way that consumers prefer car types.
North America’s Obvious Choices
The Ford F-Series continued its dominance of the US market with 726,004 units being sold in 2021. This includes the F-150 and F-250 models , as well as the F-350 and F-450 models . A Ford F-Series was responsible for nearly five percent of all 100 light vehicles sold in America in 2021. The Ram family pickups and the Chevrolet Silverado were second and third, respectively. Their combined market share in 2021 was 11.9%, which is fourth highest since 1980. With 111,332 units sold, the Ford F-Series was also Canada’s best-selling car.
South America is also passionate about pickups
South America loves its trucks too, though they are a little smaller. Brazil is the largest market for automotive in Latin America. In 2021, the Fiat Strada was the market leader with 109.107 units, or 5.5% of the total market.
This was the best result for the small pickup since its inception in 1996. Middle-class consumers who are looking for an efficient, capable vehicle that is fun and also works have turned to the Fiat Strada as their go-to vehicle for work and pleasure.
Two city cars are behind the Strada. The Fiat Argo and Hyundai HB20 hatchback came in second and three, respectively.
Best-selling Vehicles In Argentina
The Fiat Cronos sedan was Argentina’s best-selling car. The small, locally-built four-door is popular due to its affordability, appearance, and availability at dealers.
For the past three years, the Toyota Hilux has been the market leader in Argentina. However, it finished second in 2021. The Volkswagen Amarok was third.
Hatchbacks Are Still Popular In Europe
It is fascinating to see the European situation. The Volkswagen Golf used to be the most popular car in Germany. However, JATO Dynamics has noted that it has lost a lot share in the last three years. Domestic registrations for the model now account for 3.5% of the total market. This is the lowest figure since 1980.
Other Volkswagen products were the biggest competitors to Golf in Germany. The TRoc , Tiguan, and TRoc were the best-selling vehicles in Germany.
The Peugeot208 won France’s second largest automotive market. It beat the Renault Clio. It was the first time that Peugeot’s B-segment hatchback sold better than its Renault rival since 2004.
However, neither of these French hatchbacks anticipated the strong growth of Dacia Sandero third place, which was up 44% over 2020.
There are big changes in the UK
In 2021, the United Kingdom experienced a major transformation. The Ford Fiesta didn’t take first place for the first time since 2009. The Vauxhall Corsa won the top spot for first time since its inception. Because the popularity of the Puma grew, the Corsa was able to attract more customers than its predecessor the Fiesta.
The Tesla Model 3 was in second place, which was the best among the top 10 automotive markets worldwide. The Mini five-door Hardtop was in third place.
It loves little hatchbacks
The top three Italian cars didn’t change in 2021, unlike the UK. With 112,298 sales, the Fiat Panda was the most popular car in Italy. This is a market share 7.6 percent. The volume of the vehicle was up by 1.2 percent in 2020, but it was down 18.8 percent in 2019.
The Fiat 500, Lancia Ypsilon came in second and third. They accounted for 13.8 per cent of all new car sales in Italy.
Crossover Dominance in Spain
Two crossovers, the Seat Aronaand the Hyundai Hyundai Tucson were the top three Spanish cars, while one sedan was the Dacia Sandero. This was Arona’s first appearance in the lead since 2017.
Hyundai should be proud of its strong performance in Spain. The Tucson is now in its fourth generation. It beat the Nissan Qashqai (14,526 units), the Volkswagen Tiguan (7.990), and 1683 the Peugeot 2008 (16.831).
What about Turkey and Hungary?
With a nearly 15 percent share of the Hungarian market, Suzuki is dominant. The Vitara was a top seller. The S-Cross came in second. Since 2016, the Vitara has been the country’s top-selling vehicle.
The Fiat 500 came in third place, which was the best result since the introduction of the Italian city car to this market.
In Turkey, the sales leaders were almost identical to previous years. The Fiat Egea, which has been leading this country’s deliveries since 2016, was the leader. Second and third were the Toyota Corolla sedans and Renault Clio HB respectively.
Russia loves Lada, but Indonesia chooses MPVs
Russia’s top vehicle manufacturer is Lada. With nearly 113,700 deliveries, the Vesta was victorious, up 6 percent over 2020. The Granta came in second, but its volume fell 12 percent. Third was the Kia Rio.
After Thailand, Indonesia is the second largest auto market in Southeast Asia. The country’s new vehicles are sold 45 percent through MPVs. The Toyota Avanza led the pack in 2021. The second place was the Mitsubishi Xpander, while the third was the commercial-focused Suzuki Carry.
The Best-Selling Cars in Each Country in 2021
- Argentina: Fiat Cronos: 34,435
- Brasil: Fiat Strada: 109,107
- France: Peugeot 208: 88,037
- Germany: Volkswagen Golf: 91,621
- Indonesia: Toyota Avanza: 66,109
- Italy: Fiat Panda 112,298
- United Kingdom: Vauxhall Corsa 40,914
- Russia: Lada Vesta: 113,698
- Spain: Seat Arona 21946
- United States: Ford F-Series 726,004
- Turkey: Fiat Egea 49,698
- Hungaria: Suzuki Vitara: 8,349
The 2021 Total Car Sales in Each Country
- Argentina: 381,777
- Brasil: 1,974,431
- France: 1,658,453
- Germany: 2,622,132
- Indonesia: 887,202
- Italy: 1,457,952
- United Kingdom: 1,647 181
- Russia: 1,666,780
- Spain: 859,477
- United States: 15,060 287
- Turkey: 737,350
- Hungaria: 121,986