As a means of transportation, cars not only solve travel needs, but also carry the influence and choices of different countries and cultures. The car people of various countries choose is not only a market behavior, but also has deeper social and cultural connotations. Today we will take a look at who are the best-selling models in each country in 2019.
United States: Ford F-Series Pickup Trucks
There is no doubt that large-displacement, bulky pickup trucks have an unshakable place in the hearts of Americans. In 2019, the sales volume of F-series pickup trucks exceeded 890,000 units, which is more than the combined sales of the two domestic top sellers, Lavida and Haval H6. Moreover, the second and third best sellers are also pickup trucks. They are RAM pickup truck, with sales volume of 633,700 units; Chevrolet Silverado, sales volume of 575,600 units.
Americans’ love for pickup trucks is due to many reasons. First of all, the United States has a vast territory and a large population. Compared with crowded urban areas, more roads are wide and have sparse traffic, making them suitable for large people to drive. Secondly, pickup trucks are very practical. The pickup truck can be used by ordinary people to clean up the yard and transport some goods. Thirdly, relative to income, the price of oil in the United States is very cheap, enough to feed these oil tigers. Finally, there is no displacement tax, which is also an important reason why these large-displacement pickup trucks are so popular.
Japan: Honda N-Box
Just the opposite of the United States, the top three best-selling models in Japan are all compact K-Cars. The first place is Honda N-Box?, with sales of 253,000 units in 2019. Then the second and third places are Daihatsu Tanto and Suzuki Spacia, with sales of 175,292 and 166,398 units respectively.
The hot sales of K-Car can be said to be entirely the product of policies, similar to domestic pure electric models. In Japan, to buy a car, you need to prove that you have a parking space, and parking spaces are very expensive. But not only does K-Car not require a parking space certificate, but the government also provides subsidies and can also reduce or exempt some taxes and fees. So it’s no surprise that K-Car is selling like hotcakes.
Germany: Volkswagen Golf?
The best-selling model in Germany is the Golf, with sales exceeding 200,000 units in 2019. The second place is Volkswagen Tiguan, with sales of 87,700 units. Third is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, with sales of 64,400 units. In terms of sales, the Golf is undoubtedly Germany’s “magic car”, with more sales than the second and third brands combined.
Then why do Germans love golf so much? This is a long and complicated topic. After World War II, the Beetle became a cultural symbol in Germany, and the Golf was born to succeed the Beetle. After more than 40 years and eight generations of models, the Golf has gradually become a cultural symbol in the hearts of Germans. Coupled with its good quality and practicality, it has gradually become a sacred car in Germany.
UK: Ford Fiesta
As an old industrial country, the UK's own automobile industry has almost sold out today. The best-selling one is the Ford Fiesta, with sales of 77,833 units in 2019; Followed by Volkswagen Golf, with sales of 58,994 units; and Focus again, with 56,619 units sold.
The reason why small cars like the Fiesta are so popular in the UK is because the UK has a high per capita car ownership and rarely requires multiple people to ride in one car, and the streets in the UK are generally narrow. So something as small as a carnival is perfect. Moreover, the British do not regard buying a car as a prestige, so the principle is to save as much as possible. Ford in the UK actually comes from Ford Europe, which is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. Specifically built for the European car environment.
France: Peugeot 208?
Western Europe is a region with distinct car markets. Germany has all German cars, and France has all French cars. The best-selling car in France is the Peugeot 208, with sales of 105,589 units in 2019; followed by Citroen C3, with sales of 80,757 units; and Renault Clio, with sales of 80,079 units.
Like the UK, the narrow roads, high per capita ownership, and the fact that buying a car is not a face, but a pure tool, means that the best-selling cars in France are also small cars. And they are all small hatchbacks, because hatchbacks have better practicality.
Italy: Fiat?panda?
When you come to Italy, Fiat is naturally everywhere on the streets. The best-selling model is also Fiat?panda, with sales of 138,132 units; the second place is Lancia ypsilon, also owned by FCA, sold 58,759 units; third place was Dacia Duster, with sales of 43,701 units.
The same car-using environment and habits make all of Western Europe prefer hatchbacks. The difference is that each country actively supports its own brands, regardless of the quality of its own brand models. Fiat, which has always been at the bottom of the car reliability rankings, is still loved by the Italian people.
Australia: Toyota Hilux
After looking at Europe, let’s take a look at Australia. The car environment in Australia is generally similar to that in the United States, and the best-selling one is also a pickup truck. The difference is that the best-selling trucks in Australia are Japanese pickup trucks. The first place in sales is Toyota Hilux, with sales of 47,649 units; the second place is Ford Ranger, with sales of 40,960 units. The third place is Toyota Corolla, with sales of 30,468 units.
India: Suzuki Alto?
In addition to these automobile powers or developed countries, India is also an important automobile market. In India, Suzuki, which was defeated in China, is prospering and is even more prominent than Volkswagen in China. The top three best-selling models in 2019 are all Suzuki, namely Suzuki Alto with 208,087 units, Suzuki Dzire with 198,904 units and Suzuki Swift with 191,901 units.
Suzuki's success in India is the result of India's market demand, which coincides with Suzuki's market positioning. With congested roads and low incomes, India is naturally dominated by small cars. Fuel-efficient small cars happen to be Suzuki's strength, and Suzuki entered the Indian market early and has been deeply involved in it for many years. Therefore, Suzuki is a powerful player in India.
Russia: Lada Granta
What kind of cars do the fighting nations drive? In fact, the cars driven by the fighting nation are not fighting at all. The first place in sales is Lada Granta, with sales of 135,831 units; the second place is still Lada, with Lada Vesta sales of 111,459 units. The third place is Kia RIO, with sales of 92,500 units.
Lada can be said to be Russia’s national car, carrying the national sentiments of generations of Russians. However, Lada is now a brand under the Renault-Nissan alliance. In addition, Korean Hyundai and Kia also have good sales in Russia, especially Kia. It is really sad that Russia, which has such a strong military industry, does not have a good car brand.
South Korea: Hyundai Azun
Our neighbor South Korea is a country with strong nationalism. Korean cars completely occupy the domestic market, and of course the best-selling ones are all Korean ones. car. The top-selling model is the Hyundai Azera, with sales of 100,598 units; followed by the Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Santa Fe, with sales of 96,621 units and 88,472 units respectively.
China: Volkswagen Lavida
Finally, let’s take a look at the top three sales in China in 2019. The first is Lavida, with more than 490,000 units sold; the second is Sylphy, 475,000 units; third is Wuling Hongguang, with sales of 369,500 units.
Looking at the entire list, we can find that the Chinese market is very tolerant and diverse. I hope that in the future, our independent brands can make good use of the huge local market to strengthen themselves and go global.
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.