Page last updated: 11 October 2024
The global automotive industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, consumer demands, and economic factors.
Below we explore the latest automotive market trends and statistics, insights into global car sales, key market players and emerging consumer preferences.
How many cars were sold worldwide in 2023?
Over 76.67 million passenger cars were sold globally in 2023, including both electric and non-electric vehicles.
- This represented an approximate growth of 5.2% compared to 2022 when 72.86 million passenger cars were sold.
- Despite this rebound, global car sales in 2023 were still 10.6% lower than the peak year of 2018, when 85.83 million vehicles were sold.
How much of the global car market is made up of EVs?
Electric Vehicle (EV) Sales accounted for about 18% of all new car sales globally in 2023, up from around 2.6% in 2019.
- Over 13.8 million EVs were sold worldwide in 2023, an increase from 10.2 million in 2022.
Annual Global Electric Car Sales (2010-2023)
| Year | Electric Cars Sold | Non-Electric Car Sold | Total Cars Sold | % of EV Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 7,450 | 67,719,820 | 67,727,270 | 0.01% |
| 2011 | 49,000 | 72,009,816 | 72,058,816 | 0.07% |
| 2012 | 120,000 | 74,880,000 | 75,000,000 | 0.16% |
| 2013 | 201,000 | 74,243,440 | 74,444,440 | 0.27% |
| 2014 | 330,000 | 80,157,810 | 80,487,810 | 0.41% |
| 2015 | 550,000 | 80,332,350 | 80,882,350 | 0.68% |
| 2016 | 760,000 | 83,684,450 | 84,444,450 | 0.90% |
| 2017 | 1,180,000 | 83,105,710 | 84,285,710 | 1.40% |
| 2018 | 2,060,000 | 83,773,330 | 85,833,330 | 2.40% |
| 2019 | 2,080,000 | 77,920,000 | 80,000,000 | 2.60% |
| 2020 | 2,980,000 | 67,972,380 | 70,952,380 | 4.20% |
| 2021 | 6,600,000 | 67,557,304 | 74,157,304 | 8.90% |
| 2022 | 10,200,000 | 62,657,144 | 72,857,144 | 14.00% |
| 2023 | 13,800,000 | 62,866,668 | 76,666,668 | 18.00% |
Regional Breakdown of Global Car Sales
- America: In 2023, total car sales in the Americas reached 23 million units. The U.S. was the largest car market in the region, contributing over 16 million units. Canada followed with 1.73 million car sales, and Mexico recorded 1.36 million units,
- Europe: The car market remained stable in Europe, with Germany, France, and the United Kingdom accounting for the majority of sales. The total number of car sales in Europe reached nearly 18 million units in 2023, with electric vehicles (EVs) capturing an increasingly larger market share.
- Asia-Pacific: China retained its position as the world’s largest car market in the Asia-Pacific region, with sales exceeding 21.7 million units in 2023. Other key contributors included Japan (4.72 million car sales), India (4.39 million car sales) and South Korea (1.67 million car sales).
- Africa and the Middle East: Though smaller in comparison to other regions, this area saw total car sales of approximately 2.5 million units in 2023.
Which country had the highest car sales in 2023?
- China had the highest car sales in 2023, leading the global market with over 21.7 million units sold, an increase of 3.5% from 2022.
Annual Car Sales by Country (2019-2023)
| Country | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 22,276,889 | 19,875,707 | 21,371,045 | 21,017,814 | 21,744,076 |
| United States | 18,878,012 | 13,110,394 | 15,492,015 | 14,278,877 | 16,075,575 |
| Japan | 5,669,139 | 4,549,286 | 4,432,295 | 4,157,888 | 4,724,709 |
| India | 4,176,609 | 2,933,044 | 3,400,441 | 4,244,343 | 4,386,120 |
| Germany | 4,203,764 | 2,771,016 | 2,846,735 | 2,777,617 | 2,992,696 |
| United Kingdom | 2,780,990 | 1,623,395 | 1,873,890 | 1,896,763 | 2,241,567 |
| Brazil | 2,954,593 | 1,554,859 | 2,025,707 | 1,978,942 | 2,186,921 |
| France | 2,956,265 | 1,325,662 | 2,095,385 | 1,897,764 | 2,179,796 |
| Italy | 2,284,562 | 912,768 | 1,604,723 | 1,432,341 | 1,735,680 |
| Canada | 2,097,697 | 1,415,635 | 1,703,676 | 1,570,319 | 1,727,416 |
| South Korea | 1,894,032 | 1,846,321 | 1,699,291 | 1,610,147 | 1,667,741 |
| Mexico | 1,421,719 | 890,402 | 1,014,681 | 1,094,611 | 1,361,433 |
| Turkey | 503,935 | 524,668 | 734,698 | 783,283 | 1,211,456 |
| Australia | 1,149,969 | 901,219 | 1,046,385 | 1,074,115 | 1,208,242 |
| Spain | 1,603,728 | 756,369 | 1,010,004 | 934,277 | 1,083,736 |
Global Car Sales by Segment
What type of vehicles dominate global car sales each year?
Passenger vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and compact cars, continued to lead global car sales in 2023.
- SUVs accounted for 46% of all passenger vehicle sales, an increase from 44% in 2022.
How do commercial vehicle sales perform each year?
Around 8 million commercial vehicles were sold worldwide in 2023, reflecting a 2.5% decline compared to 2022, when sales reached 8.2 million units.
- Commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses, and vans, make up a smaller portion of the global market.
How many electric vehicles (EVs) are sold each year?
Over 13.8 million Electric cars were sold globally in 2023, accounting for approximately 18% of all new car sales.
- The EV market has experienced rapid growth, with its market share rising from 14% in 2022, representing a 35% year-over-year increase in sales.
What are the top-selling car manufacturers globally?
- Toyota still led global car sales in 2023, selling approximately 8.57 million vehicles, accounting for 11.18% of the total market.
- Volkswagen (VW) followed with sales of 4.97 million vehicles, representing 6.48% of the global market.
- Tesla and BYD both had a strong presence in the electric vehicle (EV) market and ranked among the top 15 global automakers in 2023.
BYD saw a growth of 47.25% compared to 2022, while Tesla recorded an increase of 32.09% from the previous year.
Other key players include Ford, General Motors, and Hyundai, each contributing to global sales with both traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric models.
- Explore more about the top car brands driving global sales year after year.
What are the most popular car models worldwide?
- The Tesla Model Y became the most popular car model worldwide in 2023, selling 1.23 million units, an increase of 84% from the previous year. It rose from 3rd place in 2022 to 1st in 2023.
- The Toyota Corolla Cross/Frontlander climbed from 8th to 5th place with a 35% increase in sales to 715,500 units.
- The Toyota Corolla/Levin sedan, despite selling 830,000 units, experienced a 19% decrease in sales.
- The Toyota Hilux dropped from 6th to 8th place, with a 4% decrease in sales to 604,800 units.
- Discover the top 100 car models dominating the global market in 2023.
In recent years, global car sales have shown steady growth, with electric vehicles and SUVs seeing increased demand. New technologies, such as autonomous driving and connected cars, are expected to influence future sales, along with stricter environmental regulations driving EV adoption, which now makes up 18% of new car sales.
For more insights on these developments, explore Automotive Industry Trends and Statistics.
Global Statistics Resources
- Automotive Industry Trends
- Global Car Sales by Brands
- Global Car Sales by Car Models
- Global EV Sales by Automaker
- Global EV Sales by Country
- Global EV Sales By Type
- Global Tourism Industry Trends
- Global Tourism Ranking
- Global Tourism 2024
- Global Overtourism
