The top-selling cars in the U.S. and in the world in 2023
- Tesla Model Y is the top-selling car globally but ranks 5th in the US
- Models in both World and US top 5: Toyota RAV4, Tesla Model Y
- Number of Toyota models in World top 10: 5
- Number of Toyota models in US top 10: 2
- Ford F-Series is the top-selling vehicle in the US but doesn’t appear in the global top 10
- The US market shows a strong preference for pickup trucks, with 3 in the top 5

The U.S. auto market’s top 10 performers

Trend highlights
1. Pickup truck dominance:
The top three spots are occupied by pickup trucks (Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram pickup), showcasing the continued popularity of these vehicles in the U.S. market.
2. Electric vehicle presence:
The Tesla Model Y is the only electric vehicle in the top 10, ranking 5th overall. This highlights the growing importance of EVs in the U.S. auto market.
3. Japanese brand strength:
Japanese brands (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) make up 40% of the list, demonstrating their strong presence in the U.S. market.
4. Significant growth rates:
The Tesla Model Y and Honda CR-V saw the highest growth rates at 56.5% and 51.8% respectively, indicating strong consumer demand for these models.
5. Mix of vehicle types:
The top includes a diverse range of vehicle types, from pickup trucks and SUVs to sedans, reflecting varied consumer preferences.
6. American vs. Foreign brands:
The top is almost evenly split between American (Ford, Chevrolet, Ram, GMC, Jeep, Tesla) and foreign (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) brands, showing a competitive market.
References:
CNBC, A compact crossover is coming for America’s pickup trucks. Here are the top-selling cars of 2023
Motor1.com, These are the world’s best-selling cars: The definitive rankings for 2023