Toyota RAV4 Takes Top Spot as World's Top-Selling Car, Beats Tesla Model Y
In 2023, the Tesla Model Y was the top car sold in the world, but now it's in second. A full report from JATO Dynamics for 2024 shows that the Toyota RAV4 is now the best-selling car worldwide.
A Very Tight Race for First Place
The report from JATO Dynamics, which collects data from 153 places that cover 99% of world car sales, shows a very small lead. The Toyota RAV4 sold just 0.16% more, or under 3,000 cars more, than the Model Y. While the RAV4 now wears the crown, the report shows that both cars are nearly the same in world fame.
What Made the 2024 Sales List
The Model Y had a hard year in sales. There could be two big reasons:
- Buyers waiting for the new version, which was talked about a lot in 2024 but only shown in January 2025, may have held off on buying.
- The public acts of Elon Musk may have also played a part in fewer sales.
On the other hand, the Toyota RAV4 kept up its strong sales even as it was about to change. A new version came out in May, yet the old one kept selling well. The new RAV4 will only be made as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
Plug-In Cars Still Popular in Top 10
The change in the top rank is not the only big news. A wider look at sales shows that plug-in cars are doing well. Another Tesla car, the Model 3 sedan, took ninth place with a rise of 10% in sales. Plus, the Chinese BYD Qin also made it in the top ten, adding up to three plug-in cars among the best sellers in the world.