World's Top Ten Car Brands in 2010

Marcelo de Vasconcellos
by Marcelo de Vasconcellos

Here we go again. For your perusal pleasure, you’ll find below JATO Dynamics Brazil survey of the biggest car brands in the world’s largest markets in 2010 (as reported by Brazilian car business site automotivebusiness.com.br). Mind you, we’re talking brands here. We are NOT talking manufacturer groups. So Nissan is definitely separated from Renault, Fiat’s numbers do not include Chrysler, nor does Chevrolet include Cadillac or for that matter Wuling. It’s a little different from OICA’s list. And, to me at least, very interesting. I believe this list reflects better how consumers view the individual brands.

Fiat-Chrysler for example, out of the top 10 car groups’ listing, makes it back into the top 10 in the form of Fiat. The French twins Peugeot and Citroën leave, while Renault keeps the flour-de-lis flying in the top 10. According to the site that published the list, Kia makes it into top 10 for the first time. Chevrolet also, as a brand, posted an excellent recovery in 2010.

Every brand on the list posted double digit gains — except Fiat, Honda and Toyota. While the Japanese still grew a little, Fiat was the only one that actually lost ground. Ford had an excellent year, as did VW. Toyota managed to hang onto first though it grew slightly less than competitors. Of the Japanese, Nissan did best. Kia grew more than ten percent more than parent Hyundai. I’ll say it once, I’ll say it again, the ex-Audi guy at Kia is a lot better than that ex-BMW guy at Hyundai.

Car BrandSales 2010Sales 2009Difference1 – Toyota5,496,3465,128,6477.2%2 – Volkswagen4,407,0623,972,83910.9%3 – Ford4,320,7923,901,31510.8%4 – Chevrolet3,592,6002,939,02622.2%5 – Honda3,152,1973,017,4914.5%6 – Nissan3,088,2982,621,88217.8%7 – Hyundai2,931,3252,608,22012.4%8 – Fiat1,853,2821,954,250-5.3%9 – Renault1,668,6151,481,04512.7%10 – Kia1,593,6021,297,55522.8%

This all on strength of the global market recovering. As the US, but specially Europe remained largely stable, this showed just how important Asia and the rest of the developing world is becoming to car makers. However, as this year the US market is facing a strong rebound look for Honda, Toyota, Ford and Chevrolet to be even stronger next year. Chrysler could well climb back into the top 10.

Disclosure: the survey was carried out just in 22 of the world’s main markets, to wit: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States. It includes sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (pick-ups and vans, but no buses or heavy trucks).


Marcelo de Vasconcellos
Marcelo de Vasconcellos

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  • MaintenanceCosts I wish more vehicles in our market would be at or under 70" wide. Narrowness makes everything easier in the city.
  • El scotto They should be supping with a very, very long spoon.
  • El scotto [list=1][*]Please make an EV that's not butt-ugly. Not Jaguar gorgeous but Buick handsome will do.[/*][*] For all the golf cart dudes: A Tesla S in Plaid mode will be the fastest ride you'll ever take.[/*][*]We have actual EV owners posting on here. Just calmly stated facts and real world experience. This always seems to bring out those who would argue math.[/*][/list=1]For some people an EV will never do, too far out in the country, taking trips where an EV will need recharged, etc. If you own a home and can charge overnight an EV makes perfect sense. You're refueling while you're sleeping.My condo association is allowing owners to install chargers. You have to pay all of the owners of the parking spaces the new electric service will cross. Suggested fee is 100$ and the one getting a charger pays all the legal and filing fees. I held out for a bottle of 30 year old single malt.Perhaps high end apartments will feature reserved parking spaces with chargers in the future. Until then non home owners are relying on public charge and one of my neighbors is in IT and he charges at work. It's call a perk.I don't see company owned delivery vehicles that are EV's. The USPS and the smiley boxes should be the 1st to do this. Nor are any of our mega car dealerships doing this and but of course advertising this fact.I think a great many of the EV haters haven't came to the self-actualization that no one really cares what you drive. I can respect and appreciate what you drive but if I was pushed to answer, no I really don't care what you drive. Before everyone goes into umbrage over my last sentence, I still like cars. Especially yours.I have heated tiles in my bathroom and my kitchen. The two places you're most likely to be barefoot. An EV may fall into to the one less thing to mess with for many people.Macallan for those who were wondering.
  • EBFlex The way things look in the next 5-10 years no. There are no breakthroughs in battery technology coming, the charging infrastructure is essentially nonexistent, and the price of entry is still way too high.As soon as an EV can meet the bar set by ICE in range, refueling times, and price it will take off.
  • Jalop1991 Way to bury the lead. "Toyota to offer two EVs in the states"!
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