World’s Best-Selling Cars of 2024: Tesla, Toyota & BYD Dominate the Rankings. The latest data from Statista reveals the world’s best-selling cars in 2024, with Tesla’s Model Y leading the pack for the second consecutive year. However, the competition remains fierce, with Toyota and other automakers closing in on the electric vehicle giant.

Top Sellers of 2024

1. Tesla Model Y (USA) – 1,090,000 units
2. Toyota Corolla (Japan) – 1,080,000 units
3. Toyota RAV4 (Japan) – 1,020,000 units
4. Ford F-Series (USA) – 900,000 units
5. Honda CR-V (Japan) – 740,000 units
6. Chevrolet Silverado (USA) – 640,000 units
7. Hyundai Tucson (South Korea) – 610,000 units
8. Toyota Camry (Japan) – 580,000 units
9. BYD Song (China) – 570,000 units
10. Volkswagen Tiguan (Germany) – 540,000 units

Tesla’s Model Y continues to hold the top spot with impressive sales figures, leading Toyota’s Corolla and RAV4, which also feature prominently in the rankings. Tesla’s dominance is, however, being challenged by other automakers, including Toyota and BYD, as they continue to expand their global presence.

Tesla’s Position in 2025

While Tesla remains the leader in global car sales, its performance has shown signs of slowing down in early 2025, with sales faltering in some regions. As a result, there is growing speculation about whether Tesla can maintain its lead in the coming years. To stay competitive, Tesla unveiled a refreshed version of the Model Y, codenamed ‘Juniper’, which includes a new exterior design and an updated interior. This move could help Tesla fend off the rising competition from both established automakers like Toyota and emerging EV brands like BYD.

BYD’s Global Growth

BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has also made significant strides in global markets, especially with its popular BYD Song model. In 2024, the Song, available in gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric versions, ranked 9th in global sales with 570,000 units sold. While the majority of BYD’s sales are still driven by the Chinese market, the company is making considerable progress in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

In Australia, BYD’s Sealion 6, a plug-in hybrid, became the top-selling PHEV in 2024, further showcasing the company’s growing presence in international markets. As of March 2025, BYD’s shares have seen a significant rise of 34%, signaling investor confidence in the brand’s future growth.

Tesla vs. BYD in the EV Race

Despite challenges, Tesla remains the world’s most valuable automaker, with a market valuation of $898 billion, though it has dropped from its peak of $1.4 trillion in December 2024. BYD, on the other hand, continues to challenge Tesla’s dominance in the EV market, particularly in the fast-growing Chinese market and beyond.

The year 2025 could be a pivotal one for both Tesla and BYD, with the former aiming to maintain its leadership through product innovations like the ‘Juniper’ Model Y and the latter expanding its footprint globally. As electric vehicles continue to reshape the automotive industry, the competition between these two giants will only intensify in the years ahead.