Corolla, Golf, X-Trail... 50 best-selling cars, bakkies in the world

Cape Town - The global automotive industry showed its resilience in 2016 with 84.24 million units (LCV’s and passenger cars) sold, according to data released by Jato Dynamics, 

The report reveals a 5.6% increase compared to 2015.

Felipe Munoz, JATO Global Analyst said: “Despite the hurdles faced by the automotive industry last year, an increase in registrations of 5.6% shows the sector’s resilience.

The growth shows that declines in Japan, Russia and Brazil were offset by strong results in China and Europe.”

SA's best-sellers

The Toyota Hilux was South Africa's best-selling vehicle in 2016, followed by the Ford Ranger. Both bakkies' popularity saw them overcome the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, which was the third best-selling vehicle (but top-selling passenger car) in SA.

These vehicles made little impact in global top 10. Ford's F-Series truck were the best-selling vehicle globally, followed by the Toyota Corolla. The Corolla was also a best-seller in SA during 2016.

READ: SA's best-selling bakkies - Toyota Hilux ends year on top

In 2015, the Corolla showed a 0.9% increase, but the VW Golf - in third place - showed a decline of 8.2%. This can be attributed to the emissions scandal.

Other vehicles on sale in SA that made the top 10 include the Nissan X-Trail, Ford Focus, and Honda CR-V.

1. Ford F-Series – 986 660 (+7,7%)
2. Toyota Corolla – 952 576 (+0,9%)
3. Volkswagen Golf – 859 845 (-8,2%)
4. Wuling Hongguang – 847 202 (-0,3%)
5. Nissan X-Trail/Rogue – 766 729 (+23,4%)
6. Hyundai Elantra/Avante/i35 – 765 996 (+4,3%)
7. Ford Focus – 732 893 (-11,1%)
8. Honda HR-V/XR-V/Vezel – 724 769 (+38,4%)
9. Honda CR-V – 707 890 (+2,3%)
10. Toyota RAV4 – 701 756 (+11,7%)
11. Honda Civic – 667 203 (+19,9%)
12. Chevrolet Silverado – 633 995 (-4,2%)
13. Ford Kuga/Escape – 620 934 (-0,8%)
14. Toyota Camry/Aurion – 605 426 (-10,2%)
15. Volkswagen Polo hatchback – 601 096 (+0,7%)
16. Ram Pickup – 594 097 (+6,1%)
17. Volkswagen Jetta/Bora/Sagitar/Vento – 588 213 (+4,8%)
18. Great Wall Haval/Hover H6 – 582 008 (+56,0%)
19. Hyundai Tucson – 577 036 (+130,8%)
20. Honda Accord – 519 789 (-4,0%)
21. Volkswagen Tiguan – 517 156 (+5,0%)
22. Kia Sportage/KX5 – 503 306 (+27,2%)
23. Buick Excelle – 495 509 (+8,4%)
24. Suzuki Swift – 493 538 (-13,2%)
25. Chevrolet Cruze – 489 885 (-16,7%)
26. Ford Fusion/Mondeo – 478 545 (-11,4%)
27. Volkswagen Lavida – 475 452 (+33,7%)
28. Honda Jazz/Fit – 473 860 (-1,7%)
29. Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 463 426 (+3,8%)
30. Ford Fiesta – 447 721 (-16,6%)
31. Mazda3/Axela – 440 480 (+2,4%)
32. Nissan Qashqai/Rogue Sport – 430 283 (+24,4%)
33. Skoda Octavia – 427 077 (+3,5%)
34. BMW 3 Series – 426 140 (-4,2%)
35. Hyundai Accent/Verna/i25/Solaris – 423 333 (-10,0%)
36. Volkswagen Passat (EU)/Magotan – 422 998 (-1,8%)
37. Kia Cerato/Forte/K3 – 420 604 (+20,4%)
38. Kia Rio/Pride/K2 – 394 521 (+4,2%)
39. Nissan Almera/Sylphy Classic – 377 971 (+2,0%)
40. Baojun 730 – 370 169 (+15,3%)
41. Chevrolet Malibu – 361 106 (+15,0%)
42. Renault Clio – 357 815 (+2,3%)
43. Audi A3 – 357 549 (-0,9%)
44. Jeep Cherokee – 355 403 (+19,8%)
45. Toyota Prius – 354 511 (+69,4%)
46. Toyota Hilux – 352 065 (+0,8%)
47. Mazda CX-5 – 351 294 (-1,2%)
48. Hyundai Sonata/i45 – 347 718 (-11,7%)
49. Hyundai i10/Grand i10/Xcent – 344 420 (-2,3%)
50. Volkswagen Jetta (China) – 341 943 (+25,6%)

BEST GLOBALLY: The Toyota Corolla was the best-selling passenger car in 2016. Image: Calvin Fisher

Below is a list of how vehicles sold in SA fared in the top 50:

Position | Vehicle | Growth/Decline in 2016

2 Toyota Corolla +0.9%
3 Volkswagen Golf/GTI -8.2%
5 Nissan X-Trail +23.4%
6 Hyundai Elantra +4.3%
7 Ford Focus -11.1%
8 Honda HR-V +38.4%
9 Honda CR-V+2.3%
10 Toyota RAV4 +11.7%
11 Honda Civic +19.9%
13 Ford Kuga-0.8%
15 Volkswagen Polo +0.7%
17 VW Jetta +4.8%
19 Hyundai Tucson III +130.8%
20 Honda Accord -4.0%
21 Volkswagen Tiguan +5.0%
22 Kia Sportage/KX5 +27.2%
24 Suzuki Swift -13.2%
25 Chevrolet Cruze -16.7%
26 Ford Fusion -11.4%
28 Honda Jazz -1.7%
29 Mercedes C-Class +3.8%
30 Ford Fiesta -16.6%
31 Mazda 3 +2.4%
32 Nissan Qashqai +24.4%
34 BMW 3-Series -4.2%
35 Hyundai Accent -10.0%
36 VW Passat -1.8%

For the full list click here.

Toyota still top

Toyota maintained its position as the world’s most-popular car brand, despite losing ground in the US and China. Overall it increased sales during 2016 thanks to strong results in emerging markets such as Indonesia and Mexico, says Jato.

Despite the emissions issue, Volkswagen increased its sales by 2.8% during 2016. Its Chinese operations remained largely unaffected by the scandal, with its sales continuing to grow. This allowed the brand to offset significant declines in Brazil, the US and Russia. In contrast, in Europe, Volkswagen posted the highest market share drop of any brand as a result of the issue.

Honda, Kia and Mercedes rounded out the top 10, as a result of the automakers releasing more SUVs into the market.

Below a list of how brands sold in SA fared in the top 50, globally throughout 2016.

For the full list click here.

BEST BRAND: Toyota was the number 1 car brand in 2016. Image: iStock