The history of cars dates back to the late 19th century, with the development of the first gasoline-powered internal combustion engine.
It is difficult to provide an exact number of car models and brands that exist in the world, as new models and brands are constantly being introduced while others are phased out. However, as of 2021, there are estimated to be over 1,000 different car models and more than 100 car brands globally.
The most popular cars
The world’s most popular cars can vary depending on the source and the criteria used to define “popular.” However, based on global sales figures and general popularity, some of the most popular cars in the world are:
Toyota Corolla – With over 50 million units sold since its introduction in 1966, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car of all time.
Ford F-Series – The Ford F-Series of pickup trucks has been in production since 1948 and is one of the most popular vehicles in the United States, with over 40 million units sold worldwide.
Volkswagen Golf – The Volkswagen Golf has been in production since 1974 and has sold over 35 million units worldwide, making it one of the most popular compact cars in the world.
Honda Civic – The Honda Civic has been in production since 1972 and has sold over 20 million units worldwide. It is known for its reliability and fuel efficiency.
Toyota Camry – The Toyota Camry has been in production since 1982 and has sold over 19 million units worldwide. It is known for its comfort, reliability, and practicality.
Other popular cars include the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Sentra, Chevrolet Silverado, and Hyundai Elantra.
The most popular luxury cars
The most popular luxury cars can also vary depending on the source and the criteria used to define “luxury.” However, based on global sales figures and general popularity, some of the most popular luxury cars in the world are:
Mercedes-Benz C-Class – The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car that has been in production since 1993. It is one of the best-selling luxury cars in the world, with over 10 million units sold globally.
BMW 3 Series – The BMW 3 Series is another compact executive car that has been in production since 1975. It is known for its sporty handling and has sold over 15 million units worldwide.
Audi A4 – The Audi A4 is a compact executive car that has been in production since 1994. It is known for its advanced technology and has sold over 10 million units worldwide.
Lexus RX – The Lexus RX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV that has been in production since 1998. It is known for its comfort and reliability and has sold over 3 million units worldwide.
Tesla Model S – The Tesla Model S is an all-electric luxury car that has been in production since 2012. It is known for its innovative technology and has sold over 250,000 units worldwide.
Other popular luxury cars include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Lexus ES, and Porsche 911.
The most popular sports cars
The most popular sports cars can vary depending on the source and the criteria used to define “sports car.” However, based on global sales figures and general popularity, some of the most popular sports cars in the world are:
Ford Mustang – The Ford Mustang has been in production since 1964. It is one of the most iconic sports cars in the world. It is known for its classic muscle car styling and has sold over 10 million units worldwide.
Chevrolet Corvette – The Chevrolet Corvette is another iconic sports car that has been in production since 1953. It is known for its sleek styling and powerful engines and has sold over 1.7 million units worldwide.
Porsche 911 – The Porsche 911 has been in production since 1963. It is one of the most recognizable sports cars in the world. It is known for its handling and performance and has sold over 1 million units worldwide.
Mazda MX-5 Miata – The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a popular sports car that has been in production since 1989. It is known for its affordability and fun-to-drive nature and has sold over 1 million units worldwide.
Nissan 370Z – The Nissan 370Z is a sports car that has been in production since 2008. It is known for its performance and styling and has sold over 200,000 units worldwide.
Other popular sports cars include the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Audi R8, BMW Z4, and Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
The most expensive cars
The most expensive cars in the world can vary depending on factors such as rarity, design, and performance. Here are some of the most expensive cars ever sold:
Bugatti La Voiture Noire – This one-of-a-kind supercar was sold for $18.7 million in 2019. It features a hand-built carbon fiber body and a quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine that produces 1,500 horsepower.
Rolls-Royce Sweptail – This bespoke Rolls-Royce was sold for $13 million in 2017. It features a unique, hand-built design that was created for a wealthy client, with a panoramic sunroof and a custom interior.
Bugatti Centodieci – This limited-edition Bugatti was sold for $9 million in 2019. It is based on the Bugatti Chiron and features a modified design inspired by the classic Bugatti EB110, with a quad-turbocharged W16 engine that produces 1,600 horsepower.
Mercedes-Benz Maybach Exelero – This one-off prototype was built in 2004 and sold for $8 million. It features a unique design that combines luxury with high performance, with a twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 700 horsepower.
Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita – This limited-edition Koenigsegg was sold for $4.8 million in 2017. It features a unique finish that uses diamond dust to create a shimmering effect, with a 4.8-liter V8 engine that produces 1,004 horsepower.
Other notable mentions include the Lamborghini Veneno, Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, Pagani Huayra BC, Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio, and Aston Martin Valkyrie.
