The Toyota RAV4 reclaimed its position as the world’s best-selling car in 2024, narrowly surpassing the Tesla Model Y.
In a continually evolving global car market, Toyota has managed to reassert its dominance. The Toyota RAV4 has reclaimed its position as the world’s best-selling vehicle, edging ahead of the Tesla Model Y. With this achievement, Toyota has demonstrated its resilient market strategy and extensive appeal, especially notable in a market increasingly shifting toward electric vehicles.
Toyota’s triumph is not limited to just the RAV4. The company placed five models in the global top ten, reflecting its broad appeal across multiple vehicle categories. Joining the RAV4 are the Corolla Cross, Corolla sedan, Hilux, and Camry, highlighting Toyota’s comprehensive market reach.
This 2024 ranking originates from industry analyst Felipe Munoz, who utilized a wide array of sources for his analysis. His robust methodology combines data from national statistics offices, dealership associations, customs records, specialized websites, industry blogs, and other analysts’ informed estimates. Munoz’s study encompasses 153 markets, accounting for approximately 99% of global car sales, providing an in-depth look into the automotive industry’s current landscape.
The numbers illustrate Toyota’s narrow victory with combined sales of the RAV4 and its China-market variant, the Wildlander, reaching 1,187,000 units. This slightly surpassed the Tesla Model Y’s sales figure of 1,185,000 units, marking a narrow yet significant win.
It’s notable that both models received updates shortly after the reporting period. Toyota’s RAV4 underwent a complete redesign, yet to hit the market, while Tesla has already released its refreshed Model Y, known as Juniper. Despite these updates, the Model Y retains its status as the best-selling electric vehicle, although 2025 figures suggest a potential slowdown.
The compact crossover segment continues to drive significant sales, as evidenced by the Toyota Corolla Cross, which secured third place in the rankings with 859,000 units sold. Its widespread availability across various markets contributes largely to its success. Trailing closely is the Honda CR-V/Breeze SUV, which achieved sales of 854,000 units.
Toyota’s stronghold is further solidified by the Corolla sedan with 697,000 units sold, landing it in fifth place, and the Hilux pickup with 617,000 units, in sixth place globally. Despite its aging model, the Hilux stands out as the world’s best-selling pickup, even as it is absent from North American and Chinese markets, two of the largest for trucks. In contrast, the Ford F-150 sold 595,000 units, securing the seventh position overall and placing second in U.S. vehicle sales, shadowed only by the RAV4.
Closing the top ten are sedans maintaining their relevance amidst the rising tide of crossovers and SUVs. The Toyota Camry achieved eighth place with 593,000 sales, followed by the Tesla Model 3 at 560,000, and the BYD Qin, the sole Chinese brand to make this year’s list, at 502,000. The inclusion of BYD underscores its growing influence as a competitor in both the EV and traditional combustion markets.
These figures depict a global automotive landscape where traditional manufacturers like Toyota retain significant influence while newer players like Tesla and BYD carve out substantial market niches. As the industry continues to evolve, particularly toward electrification, these dynamics will likely shift, presenting both challenges and opportunities for manufacturers worldwide.
According to Carscoops, these developments reflect the ongoing transformations within the car industry as manufacturers strive to meet changing consumer expectations and regulatory landscapes.
Source: Original article