2025 Global Car Sales Rankings: Top 10 Brands Revealed
Introduction: The 2025 Auto Market Shakeup
2025 has been a transformative year for the global automotive industry. Legacy giants battle to retain market share, while Chinese EV powerhouses surge with record growth, and electric vehicles redefine consumer choices worldwide. With data compiled from industry leaders like Focus2Move, Visual Capitalist, and China’s top auto platforms, we’re breaking down the top 10 best-selling car brands of 2025—counting down from 10th to 1st. Discover which brands dominated, which stumbled, and the star models driving their success.
10th Place: BMW (Germany)
2025 Global Sales: 2.8 million units | YoY Growth: +5%
The German luxury giant secures the 10th spot with steady growth, proving its appeal across premium segments. BMW’s success stems from a balanced lineup of combustion engines and electric vehicles (like the iX3 and i4), though its growth rate lags behind emerging EV-focused brands.
Suggested image: Pie chart showing BMW’s 2025 sales split (luxury sedans: 45%, SUVs: 38%, EVs: 17%) with YoY growth labels.
9th Place: Nissan (Japan)
2025 Global Sales: 3.325 million units | YoY Growth: -4.1%
Nissan slips to 9th with a modest decline, hampered by slow electric vehicle 转型 (transition). Its saving grace? The ever-popular 轩逸 (Sylphy) sedan, which sold 750,000 units globally—proving combustion engine models still have loyal followings. However, Nissan’s EV lineup (led by the Leaf) struggles to compete with newer rivals, dragging overall growth.
Suggested image: Line graph tracking Nissan Sylphy’s annual sales (2023-2025) vs. Nissan’s overall brand growth.
8th Place: Suzuki (Japan)
2025 Global Sales: 4.5 million units | YoY Growth: + (positive, exact figure unreported)
Suzuki makes a surprise return to the top 10, driven by strong demand in emerging markets (India, Southeast Asia) for its affordable, fuel-efficient models. The brand’s focus on compact cars and entry-level SUVs resonates with price-sensitive consumers, offsetting declines in mature markets.
Suggested image: World map highlighting Suzuki’s top markets (India: 52%, Southeast Asia: 28%, Europe: 10%, Others: 10%).
7th Place: Ford (United States)
2025 Global Sales: ~3.7 million units | YoY Growth: + (positive, only grower in Western legacy brands)
Ford defies the odds as the only Western legacy brand to post growth, thanks to the iconic F-150 pickup. The F-150 sold 860,000 units globally, with its electric variant (Lightning) accounting for 35% of sales—proving that electrifying popular models works. Ford’s focus on trucks and SUVs aligns with consumer preferences in North America and Australia.
Suggested image: Bar chart comparing 2024 vs. 2025 F-150 sales (total and electric variant breakdown).
6th Place: Honda (Japan)
2025 Global Sales: 3.85 million units | YoY Growth: -3.2%
Honda drops one spot with a slight decline, weighed down by slow EV 转型 (transition) and aging combustion engine models. Its saving grace? The CR-V SUV, which sold 980,000 units globally—ranking 3rd in single-model sales. However, Honda’s failure to launch competitive EVs has allowed rivals to chip away at its market share.
Suggested image: Bar chart pitting Honda CR-V sales against Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen ID.4.
5th Place: General Motors (United States)
2025 Global Sales: 4.507 million units | YoY Growth: -1.5%
GM holds steady at 5th, with the F-150’s rival—Chevrolet Silverado (680,000 units)—driving sales. The brand’s electric vehicle lineup (like the GMC Hummer EV) shows promise, but slow adoption and policy uncertainties in North America hinder faster growth. GM’s reliance on pickup trucks keeps it competitive, but it risks falling behind if EV investments don’t accelerate.
Suggested image: Pie chart showing GM’s sales split (pickup trucks: 40%, SUVs: 35%, sedans: 15%, EVs: 10%).
4th Place: BYD (China)
2025 Global Sales: 4.6 million units | YoY Growth: +18.3% (China’s fastest-growing top brand)
BYD cements its position as the world’s leading EV brand, with explosive growth fueled by pure electric and plug-in hybrid models. The 宋 PLUS DM-i (Song PLUS DM-i) SUV is a standout, selling 820,000 units globally. BYD’s success isn’t just domestic—its international expansion into Europe and Latin America is paying off, making it the first Chinese brand to crack the global top 5.
Suggested image: Line graph showing BYD’s exponential sales growth (2021: 730k → 2025: 4.6M) with EV penetration rate overlay.
3rd Place: Hyundai-Kia Group (South Korea)
2025 Global Sales: 7.65 million units | YoY Growth: +2.5%
The South Korean conglomerate retains 3rd place, with steady growth across global markets. Hyundai’s Tucson SUV (780,000 units) and Kia’s affordable EV lineup drive sales. What sets them apart? A balanced mix of combustion engines and EVs, plus strong performance in Europe and emerging markets. The group’s global manufacturing footprint helps it avoid supply chain disruptions.
Suggested image: Stacked bar chart showing sales by region (Asia: 40%, Europe: 25%, North America: 20%, Others: 15%) for Hyundai and Kia separately.
2nd Place: Volkswagen Group (Germany)
2025 Global Sales: 8.95 million units | YoY Growth: -2.3%
VW holds onto 2nd place but posts a slight decline, as its combustion engine sales soften and EV growth (led by the ID.4, 890,000 units) isn’t enough to offset losses. The German giant faces stiff competition from BYD in Europe and Chinese brands in emerging markets. However, its vast dealer network and brand loyalty keep it ahead of the pack—for now.
Suggested image: Bar chart comparing 2025 sales of VW ID.4 (890k) and BYD Song PLUS DM-i (820k) across key markets.
1st Place: Toyota Group (Japan)
2025 Global Sales: 10.42 million units | YoY Growth: +6%
For the 10th consecutive year, Toyota is the world’s best-selling car brand—thanks to its unbeatable global reach and hybrid technology. The RAV4 SUV is the star, selling 1.28 million units globally (top single model). Toyota’s hybrid lineup (THS technology) appeals to consumers seeking sustainability without relying on EV charging infrastructure, while its combustion engine models dominate in Asia and North America.
Suggested image: Horizontal bar chart ranking all 10 brands by sales volume, with YoY growth percentages and country flags.
Key Trends from the 2025 Rankings
1. Chinese Brands Rise: BYD (4th) and Geely (just outside top 10 with 4.116 million units, +26% growth) are reshaping the global order, driven by EV innovation and aggressive expansion.
2. Legacy Brands Struggle: VW, GM, Honda, and Nissan face declining sales as they lag in EV 转型 (transition), while Toyota thrives with hybrids.
3. SUVs Dominate: 7 of the top 10 single models are SUVs (Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, BYD Song PLUS, etc.), reflecting consumer preference for larger vehicles.
4. EVs Go Mainstream: EVs account for 30% of global sales in 2025, with BYD and Tesla (Model Y: 1.15 million units) leading the charge.
Conclusion: What’s Next for 2026?
2025’s rankings reveal a market at a crossroads: legacy brands cling to hybrid and combustion engine success, while Chinese EV makers surge. Toyota’s dominance is secure for now, but BYD’s 18.3% growth rate suggests it could challenge the top spot within a decade. For consumers, this means more choices, better EV technology, and competitive pricing—while brands must adapt or risk falling behind.
Will 2026 see BYD break into the top 3? Can VW reverse its decline with new EVs? Stay tuned for next year’s rankings!
Data sources: Focus2Move, Visual Capitalist, Autohome, Dongchedi
