Ithy - Global Car Sales Ranking by Brand in 2025

Key Highlights of 2025 Global Car Sales

Toyota Group maintains its lead as the top-selling car manufacturer, driven by strong performance in America and Asia.
Ford significantly improves its ranking, climbing to second place with substantial sales growth.
Electric vehicle (EV) sales are experiencing a slowdown in growth compared to previous years, though China remains a dominant force in the EV market.

Top Performing Car Brands in 2025

The global automotive market is a dynamic arena with constant shifts in consumer preferences and manufacturer strategies. As of 2025, several brands have distinguished themselves through robust sales, innovative technologies, and strong customer loyalty. This analysis provides a detailed look at the top-performing car brands, their market positions, and the factors driving their success.

Toyota: The Undisputed Leader

Toyota has firmly established itself as the world's most valuable and best-selling car brand in 2025. This dominance is attributed to the brand's reputation for unmatched reliability and quality. According to Brand Finance's Global 500 rankings, Toyota's brand value has increased by 23% to $64.7 billion. The Toyota Group's sales reached 1,822 vehicles by February 2025, marking a 15.5% increase, with significant gains in America (33.4%) and Asia (12.2%).

Toyota: A leader in global car sales with a reputation for reliability.

Ford's Impressive Climb

Ford has made significant strides in the global car market, climbing to the second position in 2025. Ford's sales reached 742,442 units, capturing a 5.6% share of the global market, which represents a substantial 22.9% increase. This growth is largely due to strong pickup sales in the U.S., which have increased by 15% compared to the previous year, offsetting declines in SUV and car sales. Ford's success is also bolstered by its fleet and rental vehicle sales.

Volkswagen's Position

Volkswagen, while still a major player, has experienced a slight downturn. The Volkswagen Group's global car sales decreased by 2% to just over 9 million vehicles in 2024. By February 2025, the group's sales reached 1.27 million, a 4.7% decrease, with losses in America (-13.7%) and Asia (-8.6%). Despite these challenges, Volkswagen remains a key brand due to its innovative electric lineup and strong presence in the European market.

Hyundai and Kia: The Rising Korean Contenders

Hyundai and Kia continue to impress with their focus on quality and value. Hyundai recorded 552,880 sales, while Kia recorded 539,878 sales, marking a 16.4% increase. These brands have gained recognition for their comprehensive suite of safety features and affordable models. Hyundai's sales broke the 200,000-unit mark in Q1 2025, driven by the value-packed Kia K4/Forte and Sportage models. While their gas-powered models saw sales increase, their EV models experienced some struggles.

BYD: The Electric Disruptor

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is rapidly emerging as a significant force in the electric vehicle market. The company ranked 7th with 434,049 sales, showing an impressive 24.7% increase. BYD is making substantial progress outside its home market, China. For instance, the BYD Sealion 6 became Australia's top-selling plug-in hybrid in 2024. China's dominance in EV sales, with over 60% of the global market, is expected to increase in 2025 due to its controlled supply chain and continuous innovation.

Pie chart illustrating global automotive market share by brand.

Other Key Players

Honda: Sold 644,980 vehicles with a 2.2% increase.
Nissan: Experienced a decrease in sales, dropping to 9th place.
Geely: Made significant gains with a 56.7% increase in sales.
Subaru: Achieved its best sales month ever in March 2025, driven by the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek.

Global Car Sales Forecasts and Trends for 2025

The global automotive market is expected to see continued growth in 2025, although various factors influence this trajectory. S&P Global Mobility forecasts global auto sales to reach 89.6 million units, a 1.7% year-over-year increase. TrendForce predicts a slightly higher figure of 90.6 million units, representing a 2.4% increase. The Verbandes der Automobilindustrie (VDA) anticipates a 2% rise to 80.4 million vehicles.

Factors Influencing Sales

Economic Conditions: Economic recession risks and high car prices continue to be significant constraints.
Electrification: Consumer uncertainty around electrification and tapering EV subsidies are affecting the market.
Trade Policies: EU tariffs on Chinese imports and potential Trump tariff risks add to the uncertainty.
Emission Regulations: Strict emission rules are influencing the market mix and topline.

Regional Performance

China: Remains the largest global market, although growth may be tempered by intense competition and price wars in the EV segment.
United States: Sales are projected to reach 16.2 million units, a 1.2% increase from 2024.
Europe: The market is expected to be sluggish, with potential contractions in commercial vehicle sales.

Reliability Rankings

Reliability is a crucial factor for consumers when choosing a car brand. According to Visual Capitalist, the most reliable car brands in 2025 are Lexus, Buick, and Mazda. Lexus consistently ranks high due to its quality and dependability. The following table summarizes the reliability rankings:

Rank	Brand
1	Lexus
2	Buick
3	Mazda

Top Cars of 2025

Several models have been recognized as top picks for 2025, excelling in road-test performance, safety, reliability, and owner satisfaction. Consumer Reports highlighted the following models:

Subaru Forester: Redesigned for 2025, offering more refinements, space, and a quieter cabin.
Toyota Camry: Redesigned for 2025, offering comfort, practicality, and user-friendly features.
Honda Accord: Praised for its blend of practicality, driving manners, and overall quality.

Slowdown in EV Sales

While electric vehicles continue to gain traction, the growth rate has slowed compared to previous years. Global electric light vehicle sales are expected to reach 18.7 million in 2025, a 7.4% increase from 17.4 million in 2024. This is a significant drop from the 48% growth seen last year. Factors contributing to this slowdown include:

Policy Changes: Potential rollbacks of emission standards and EV tax credits in the U.S.
Consumer Hesitancy: Uncertainty and high prices are making consumers cautious about switching to EVs.

Market Share and Sales Data

Understanding the dynamics of car sales involves analyzing market share and sales data across different brands. According to recent data, Toyota continues to lead in overall sales, followed by Ford and Volkswagen. The image below provides a snapshot of the market share distribution among various car brands.

Historical US Market Share by Manufacturer (1961-2016).

Top Car Brands in the U.S. for Q1 2025

In the U.S. market for Q1 2025, several brands have shown strong performance. Key highlights include:

Hyundai and Kia: Offering value-packed models with low MSRPs.
Subaru: Achieved record sales in March 2025, driven by the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek.
Ford: Saved by strong pickup sales, offsetting declines in other segments.

YouTube Video: Top Car Brands Taking Over 2025

This video discusses the top car brands leading the automotive industry in 2025. It explores the factors driving their success, including innovation, performance, and customer satisfaction. This provides a visual and auditory overview that complements the written analysis.