100 Best Selling Cars from the Beginning

Toyota Corolla -
A compact car at it’s inception and then a compact car starting 1988.

They are still building and selling this Ford pickup truck and probably will be for years to come.

Originally a 3 door hatchback and then available as a 5 door hatchback.

Units built and still going strong in several different variations.

The VW Golf crosses the line from small family car to sporty car.

The Beetle was in the subcompact class that sold as a two door. Not surprised to see this one on the 100 best selling cars.

The Volkswagen Beetle was produced all over the globe except the U.S.

The Escort is in the compact car class and was first brought to the market in Europe.

The Escort was the first front wheel drive car made in the U.S. and since became the standard of most automobiles.

Known as the first world car because of it’s popularity world wide spanning 22 years.

The Honda Civic is the 2nd longest running model built by a Japanese auto maker.

They are still building the Civic and still a very popular vehicle.

The Civic was classified as a sub-compact car from 1973 – 2000 and then a compact car from 2001.

The Model T was responsible for making the automobile both popular and affordable.

Most people though the Model T was an American built car when in fact it was built in North and South America and Europe.

It was considered the family car for the common man.

The Sentra has changed and revised many times over it’s world wide history.

The Nissan Sentra is still selling strong and you will probably see this number rise in the near future.

First introduced as a sub-compact and then upgraded to a compact car.

It has also been labeled as the Dasher, Quantum, Santana, Corsar, Magotan and the Carat.

And still going strong. The VW customer is usually very loyal to the brand.

Classed as a mid-size sedan and family car.

A big seller in the Western European market.

Even the new ones look old to me, but it is a very good seller in Europe. Built originally in Russia.

It reminds you of something you saw in a foreign movie yet is still in production.

The Impala badge has a rich history in the U.S. and has changed many times to what it is today.

A mid-size car that keeps coming back for generations. I thought this one would be on the 100 best selling cars list.

The Impala has run the gambit from family car to sports car over it’s many generations.

The Fiesta is in the sub-compact class and was introduced world wide at the same time.

The Ford Fiesta was built around the world including North and South America, India, China, South Africa and Europe.

The Fiesta was powered by a four cylinder gas engine and front wheel drive.

The original Cutlass was a compact car and later became a mid size automobile.

First launched as the Cutlass and later known as the Cutlass Ciera and body changes were made.

The Cutlass was a very popular model for the now defunct Oldsmobile division of General Motors.

The Kadett was considered a small family car.

Built by the German auto maker Opel (GM). Another Opel on the 100 best selling cars line-up.

The Opel Kadett was a very popular vehicle and has been through dramatic changes over the years.

The Corsa was in the sub-compact or super-mini class.

The Opel Corsa has been sold under many different names like Vauxhall, Chevrolet, and Holden.

The Corsa has been built in many different countries and plants including Africa, India, Germany and Spain.

Which also include the Dodge and Plymouth minivans.

Still a major player in the family van market and sure to increase their numbers in the future.

It’s hard to go down the road and not see a Chrysler minivan for the past 20 years.

First introduced as a sub-compact car and later as a compact or small family car.

The Familia was later re-branded as a Ford Laser and the the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer.

They were built in Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, Colombia and New Zealand.

Probably one of the best known models of car around the world.

The Camry remains one of Toyota’s top sellers world-wide which will surely push their rank higher very soon.

Despite the media mess of the first Toyota major U.S. recall in it’s history the Camry is still selling quite well.

A classic from British Motor Works or Werks.

The 3 series is probably one of the most identifiable vehicles around the world and know for quality.

The 3 series was not only built in Germany, but India, Egypt, China and Iran just to name a few.

If you live in the United States you are sure to recognize the Ford Mustang.

One of the most admired automobiles in the last 40 years.

Currently a big seller for Ford and sure to be around for years to come.

Classed as a super-mini or sub-compact built by the Italian auto maker.

Yes, they are still building the Fiat Uno and probably will for years.

Built primarily in Italy and South America.

The French auto maker Renault has enjoyed the success of the Clio since it’s introduction in Europe.

The Clio has been sold in other countries under different model names because the Clio name was owned by other auto makers.

The Clio was even sold under the Nissan badge in some countries.

The Honda Accord speaks for itself when it comes to being recognized as a quality vehicle.

The Honda automobile company is still pumping out the Accord all over the globe and it will surely rise in the rankings.

The Accord is one of Honda’s best selling vehicles world-wide.

Classed as a sub-compact and economy car.

The popularity of the Renault 4 must be from the economy customer because it is nothing to look at compared to other cars in it’s class.

The Renault 4 really looks like something out of an old foreign film and it was built until 1992. Wow, that’s a lot of cars for something so ugly.

It is branded as Vauxhall Astra in the UK, the Buick Excelle in China, the Chevrolet Astra in Latin America and the Holden Astra in Australia and New Zealand.

The Astra is now built in the United Kingdom, China, Brazil, South Africa, Ukraine and Poland.

The Opel Astra is actually a pretty good looking car and continues to sell well.

The Taurus began it’s life as a mid-size car and then reintroduced as a full size car.

The original Taurus was a huge success and responsible a big part of the number above.

Ford has been making waves since 2008 and I think big things are coming.

The Jetta is classed as a small family car and enjoys a loyal following of owners.

Around the world the Jetta was also sold as the Atlantic, Bora, City Jetta, Jetta City, Fox, GLI, Jetta, Sagitar, and Vento.

The German auto maker is known for quality and will help the auto maker grow down the road.

The Fiat Punto (strange name) is in the super-mini class or sub-compact.

The Fiat Punto came from the Fiat Uno which can be seen above on this list.

Still in production and still selling well the Italian auto maker is force to be reckoned with.

The lancer was a sub-compact car at inception and later became a compact classed vehicle.

It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage.

Built primarily in Japan and badge under sever names at left.

Classed as a full size family car with a well known heritage in the United States.

The Buck LeSabre has been morphed into many different shaoes and sizes over the years that even included a station wagon.

Today’s Buick Lucerne evolved from the LeSabre.

Classed as a compact car and not surprising that it made the list on the 100 best selling cars.

The Cavalier remained one of the best selling cars in the U.S. for it’s entire life.

A front wheel drive vehicle with a 4 cylinder engine.

First as a mid-size SUV and then in 2011 a full-size crossover.

The Ford Explorer was probably the largest contributor to the popularity of the SUV.

Still in production, but sales have slowed with rising gas prices in the U.S.

Built by BMC (British Motor Corporation) not to be confused with BMW

The Mini from BMC reminds me of a clown car from the circus, but it is #33 of the 100 best selling cars.

In 1999 the Mini was voted the second most influential car of the 20th Century, behind the Ford Model T.

Classed as a super-mini or sub-compact

It was a top seller in many countries and in the U.S. it was known as LeCar

The Renault 5 was built as a 3 door hatch back and a 5 door hatch back.

In the super mini class and offered as a 3 or 5 door hatch or 4 door sedan.

Quite an impressive number for a vehicle that was first built in 1998

Built in France, UK, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, China and South America.

The predecessor or the 206 shown above.

Based on the other cars on the list of 100 best selling cars if they left the name the same they would be ranked much higher.

A car that just keeps on going and going that morphed into the 206 above.

The Ford Focus replaced the Ford Escort

Classed as a compact car or small family car. Affordability explains the popularity.

Ford keeps pumping them out as long as they keep selling.

The Crown Victoria from Ford is loaded with history because the name came on the scene in 1955.

A rear wheel drive full size sedan that was also sold to many fleet owners and many police departments in the U.S.

Fleet sales drove up the numbers. I compare to driving a couch.

A full size van that is the staple of fleets across the United States.

No surprises here when it comes to being part of the 100 best selling cars.

In the late 2000′s Ford had nearly 80% of the full size van market.

Another shining star in the Ford line-up and sold world wide.

This small sized pick up truck variation was just the ticket for the fuel conscious owner.

Built over seas with Mazda and Ford Australia.

There have been 9 generations of the Galant built by the Japanese auto maker.

Available as a sedan, hatchback and wagon which made it popular. First as a compact and then a mid-size.

Built in Illinois, Aichi, Japan and Venezuela.

One of the original “Muscle Cars” of the United States and back for more.

Related to the Pontiac Firebird the Chevy Camaro reborn is determined to make it’s place in the market.

It is back from the grave and looking better than ever. Sure to boost the ranking in the coming years.

Leave it to the Italian auto maker Fiat. Small car small price and big sales.

An impressive number for another car that looks like a cute toy.

The name tells you that it stated out in Poland and Fiat bought the plant later.

Here is that Opel brand again (a division of General Motors)

Designed and classed as a large family car with front wheel drive.

It has been sold under names like Chevrolet Vectra, Holden Vectra, Vauxhall Cavalier, Vauxhall Vectra

Classed as a sub-compact car and designed as an entry level vehicle.

Manufactured in South America and a best seller in Brazil.

For a few years it was sold in the U.S. under the Volksagen Fox name and in Iran as the Gol and I thought they left out a letter.

There is the Opel again and you wonder how GM got so big.

Considered a large family car the major market was Europe.

The Opel Ascona was also sold as the Chevrolet Monza in Brazil, Opel 1900 and the Vauxhall Cavalier.

The first Model was built 1903 and 1904 and looked more like horseless carriage.

In 1927 the Model A that made a huge impact was introduced. This Model A came from and replaced the Model T shown above. Nice job Henry.

The Model A was built in the U.S., Germany, Ireland, England, Canada, Australia and England.

The Ford Cortina was classed as a mid-size family car and built by Ford or Britain.

The Cortina was around for 4 generations over it’s lifetime and sold in other markets under various names.

A big seller during it’s lifetime. It was hard to go down a British road and not see a Cortina.

Not surprised to see another Toyota in the 100 best selling cars list, but this one has history.

The Toyota Land Cruiser started out as a rugged 4 wheel drive vehicle and morphed into the most expensive and luxurious on the Toyota line.

Through it’s life it has been built as a convertible, wagon and truck versions and very popular in the Australian Outback region where it was a best seller.

The very popular Grand AM was a bright spot in the now defunct Pontiac Division of GM.

There are still a ton of them running the roads today. Snatched by those looking for a sporty look at a good price.

It just kept coming back trying make it work.