With a total of 21.1-million new vehicles sold globally ending March this year, up 4.7% over the same time last year, China retained its lead as the most important market with sales of 6 184 706 units, followed by the United States (4 026 256), Japan (1 553 605), United Kingdom (917 986), Germany (906 513), India (901 356), France (648 991), Italy (624 250), Brazil (459 745) and Canada (421 560).
Out of the top ten best improving markets, Argentina recorded the biggest growth of 43.4% ahead of Greece (38.8%), Romania (26.3%), Chile (25.2%), Croatia (21.5%), Poland (18.9%), the Netherlands (18.9%), Serbia (18.3%), Cyprus (18.2%) and Lithuania (18.0%).
Manufacturer-wise, Toyota again reigned supreme with global sales of 1 974 851 units, an improvement of 11% over the same time last year, with Volkswagen second on 1 637 000 (+1.9%) followed by Ford (1 483 489; -2.1%), Nissan (1 269 689; +8.6%), Honda (1 194 532; +9.4%), Hyundai (952 592; -3.4%), Chevrolet (861 497; +2.1%), Suzuki (738 720; +10.0%), Mercedes-Benz (625 863; +18.2%) and Kia (581 300; -8.7%).
Unsurprisingly, the Ford F-series headed the aforementioned top 30 list with sales of 243 978, up 10%, with the Toyota Corolla placing second with 214 618, down 0.7%, the Nissan X-Trail / Rogue third on 212 244 (+23.4), Volkswagen Golf fourth with 209 764 (-7.6%) and Honda Civic fifth with 178 605 (+31.7%) unit sold.
SUV meanwhile rated as the most popular segment worldwide with sales of 6.5-million units, a spike of 14.8%, with the C-segment coming in second (3.7m; -0.2%), B-segment third (2.6m; +3.9%), MPVs fourth (1.9m; -2.4%) and the executive D-segment fifth (1.7m; -6.5%).
TOP 30 BEST SELLING NEW VEHICLES
| POS | MODEL | UNITS | % |
| 1 | Ford F-series | 243 978 | +10.0% |
| 2 | Toyota Corolla | 214 618 | -0.7% |
| 3 | Nissan X-Trail / Rogue | 212 244 | +23.4% |
| 4 | Volkswagen Golf | 209 764 | -7.6% |
| 5 | Honda Civic | 178 605 | +31.7% |
| 6 | Honda CR-V | 177 473 | +15.1% |
| 7 | Wuling Hong Guang | 175 945 | -11.0% |
| 8 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 172 623 | +47.9% |
| 9 | Toyota RAV4 | 170 362 | +10.0% |
| 10 | Honda HR-V / Vezel | 167 051 | +3.6% |
| 11 | Ford Focus | 166 290 | -13.5% |
| 12 | Hyunda Elantra / Avante / i35 | 159 112 | +7.2% |
| 13 | Ford Kuga / Escape | 153 835 | -2.8% |
| 14 | Volkswagen Polo | 148 331 | -3.4% |
| 15 | Ram | 145 326 | +3.8% |
| 16 | Chevrolet Silverado | 142 706 | -0.4% |
| 17 | Toyota Camry / Aurion | 131 807 | -9.2% |
| 18 | Volkswagen Lavida | 130 032 | -7.5% |
| 19 | Suzuki Swfit | 128 025 | -2.4% |
| 20 | Hyundai Tucson | 127 587 | -2.8% |
| 21 | Mercedes-Benz C-class | 127 485 | +23.4% |
| 22 | VW Jetta/Bora/Vento/Sagitar | 127 179 | -11.2% |
| 23 | Ford Fiesta | 125 625 | +4.5% |
| 24 | Nissan Qashqai / Rogue Sport | 124 996 | +16.6% |
| 25 | Haval H6 | 119 946 | -1.2% |
| 26 | Honda Jazz / Fit | 109 949 | -10.2% |
| 27 | Mazda3 / Axela | 108 808 | -1.8% |
| 28 | Honda Accord | 108 613 | +4.0% |
| 29 | Skoda Octavia | 103 378 | -3.4% |
| 30 | Volkswagen Passat / Magotan | 102 067 | -5.1% |
