Top 10 Biggest Car Companies in the World

Cars have developed from mere means of transportation to a massive industry, with automobile makers selling millions of vehicles in various countries. Over the years, big brands have grown and established several brands under the same group. These are now competing in popular segments like SUVs, sedans, electric cars and commercial vehicles. That expansion has resulted in some automakers being larger than others in terms of sales, revenue and worldwide presence.

This blog examines the top 10 car companies in the world, their principle brands, size and status in the global auto industry.

Leading Automakers Around the Globe

The table below ranks the top 10 car companies in the world mainly by their reported 2025 global vehicle sales or deliveries. Since automakers use different reporting methods, the figures may vary slightly between companies.

Company / Group	Country	2025 Global Sales (approx.)
Toyota Group	Japan	11.32 million
Volkswagen Group	Germany	8.98 million
Hyundai Motor Group	South Korea	7.3 million
General Motors	USA	6.18 million
Stellantis	Netherlands	5.5 million
BYD	China	4.6 million NEVs
Ford Motor Company	USA	4.4 million
Honda Motor Co.	Japan	3.7 million
BMW Group	Germany	2.46 million
Mercedes-Benz Group	Germany	2.2 million

Top 10 Car Companies in the World Ranked by Global Sales

Global sales volume is used for comparing the largest car companies in the world by overall scale. The ranking below is based on the most recent complete 2025 year-end sales available to determine the best car manufacturer in the world. 

1. Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation is the world’s largest automaker by global vehicle sales, with a strong presence across major car markets. Its group includes Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino, giving it a wide portfolio that covers family cars, SUVs and premium vehicles. Toyota has a particularly strong presence in North America and Asia, supported by its large production and sales network. This wide range of models gives buyers plenty of options when choosing among the best Toyota cars, from compact cars and sedans to SUVs and hybrids. 

Detail	Information
HQ	Toyota City, Japan
Founded	1937
2025 Global Sales	11.32 million units
Revenue	$330 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu & Hino

2. Volkswagen Group

Volkswagen Group is one of the world's biggest carmakers, offering various major vehicle segments. Some of the most popular and luxurious car company names in the world are included in the group, including Volkswagen, Škoda, Audi, Porsche, Bentley and Lamborghini. Additionally, the group has a wide variety of electric vehicles in its offerings as it branches out to cleaner mobility. It has established itself in the main markets with its brands, providing the Volkswagen Group with a solid position in various car segments.

Detail	Information
HQ	Wolfsburg, Germany
Founded	1937
2025 Global Sales	8.98 million units
Revenue	$364 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT/Cupra, Porsche, Bentley & Lamborghini

3. Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is the parent group that brings together several automotive companies, including Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation. Hyundai Motor Company owns around 34% of Kia, making it Kia’s largest shareholder, while both companies continue to operate as separate carmakers. The group also includes Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury car brand, along with businesses involved in automotive parts, technology and mobility. They have a strong presence in South Korea, North America and Europe, with Hyundai and Kia serving different portions of the market.

Detail	Information
HQ	Seoul, South Korea
Founded	1967
2025 Global Sales	7.3 million units
Revenue	$214 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Hyundai, Kia & Genesis

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4. General Motors

General Motors (GM) is a major American car company with a strong presence in the US and other global markets. Its main brands include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick, covering everyday cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and luxury vehicles. Chevrolet serves a broad range of buyers, while GMC is mainly known for larger SUVs and pickup trucks, and Cadillac focuses on premium models. As the market continues to advance towards electric vehicles, GM is also expanding its EV lineup on these brands.

Detail	Information
HQ	Detroit, USA
Founded	1908
2025 Global Sales	6.18 million units
Revenue	$185 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac & Buick

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5. Stellantis

Stellantis was formed in 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA merged to create a global car group. It brings together brands such as Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, Opel, Dodge, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. Several of these brands are recognised among the top car brands in their respective markets, with each serving a different type of buyer. Together, they cover a wide range of vehicles, from small cars and family SUVs to pickup trucks, performance cars and luxury models.

Detail	Information
HQ	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Founded	2021
2025 Global Shipments	5.48 million units
Revenue	$173 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Ram, Dodge, Opel, Alfa Romeo & Maserati

6. BYD

BYD has been rapidly growing in the international car market by emphasizing new energy vehicles such as battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Chinese firm sold approximately 4.6-million NEVs in 2025 and reached the milestone of one million sales of NEVs abroad in the same year. It also serves as a manufacturer of battery parts and other technologies related to electric vehicles, with BYD creating its own batteries. Having this kind of in-house production allows the company to take control of key aspects of the car production process. BYD has also started to venture into overseas markets, establishing itself as a significant player in the international electric car sector.

Detail	Information
HQ	Shenzhen, China
Founded	1995
2025 Global Sales	4.60 million NEVs
Revenue	$112 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	BYD, Denza, Yangwang & Fangchengbao

7. Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is an auto-maker company in America that boasts a long history in the international passenger car industry. It is loaded with models in every segment, from small cars to family SUVs to high-end models under the Lincoln brand. Ford, in particular, is well established in North America, where its offerings play a significant role in the company's sales. The company also has a wide global reach as it sells its cars in markets across Europe, Asia and other regions.

Detail	Information
HQ	Dearborn, USA
Founded	1903
2025 Global Sales	4.40 million units
Revenue	$187 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Ford, Lincoln

8. Honda Motor Co.

Honda Motor Co. is a Japanese firm that is well-known for its motorcycles and cars. It has an automobile segment, with the availability of cars and SUVs in multiple global markets, and Acura goes for the more upscale end of the market in certain markets. The company also manufactures power products and offers financial services, in addition to vehicles. It's a diverse array of companies, which means Honda is not just operating in the car business.

Detail	Information
HQ	Tokyo, Japan
Founded	1948
2025 Automobile Sales	3.7 million units
Revenue	$143 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Honda, Acura

9. BMW Group

BMW Group is a German automotive group comprising of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, representing premium, compact luxury and ultra-luxury vehicles. Mainly the BMW brand, sedans, SUVs, coupes and performance models, and main brands MINI and highest end luxury market Rolls-Royce. The three brands have separate identities, with the sharing of technology, engineering and other resources between the businesses. This is a form of organization that enables the BMW Group to compete in a number of premium car segments without having to focus its efforts on more than one.

Detail	Information
HQ	Munich, Germany
Founded	1916
2025 Global Sales	2.46 million cars
Revenue	$150 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce

10. Mercedes-Benz Group

Mercedes-Benz Group is built around the Mercedes-Benz brand, which covers premium cars, luxury vehicles and high-performance models. Its lineup ranges from sedans and SUVs to coupes and performance cars, with AMG focusing on sportier models and Mercedes-Maybach positioned at the top end of the range. Mercedes-Benz is also widely recognised among the best car brands in the world, particularly for its luxury cars, performance models and advanced features. This structure allows Mercedes-Benz Group to serve several premium segments while keeping its main focus on higher-value vehicles.

Detail	Information
HQ	Stuttgart, Germany
Founded	1926
2025 Global Sales	2.2 million
Revenue	$149 billion USD (Approx.)
Group Brands	Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Maybach

Biggest Car Companies by Market Cap in 2026

Market capitalisation reflects the value of a company in the eyes of investors, which may not necessarily match with their vehicle sales or revenue. The top 10 car companies in the world may not be the same when it comes to market value, as investor expectations also influence valuations. Some of the most valued automakers include Tesla, Toyota and BYD, and even Ferrari has a respectable valuation despite its relatively low number of sales. The table below shows some of the largest automotive companies in terms of approximate market capitalisation in 2026. 

Rank	Company	Approx. Market Cap in 2026	Country
1	Tesla	$1.5 trillion+	USA
2	Toyota	$300 billion	Japan
3	BYD	$120-130 billion	China
4	General Motors	$75-80 billion	USA
5	Ferrari	$60 billion	Italy
6	Porsche AG	$50-60 billion	Germany
7	Mercedes-Benz Group	$50-60 billion	Germany
8	BMW Group	$55-60 billion	Germany
9	Ford	$50-55 billion	USA
10	Hyundai Motor	$35-45 billion	South Korea

List of Car Company Names Around the World

Hundreds of car manufacturers and automotive groups are in operation around the world. Some specialize in mass-market cars; others in electric vehicles, commercial vehicles, as well as particular markets. Here's a list of some of the more famous car company names in key areas.

• USA: General Motors, Ford, Tesla, Rivian, Lucid
• Germany: Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW
• United Kingdom: MINI, Bentley, Rolls-Royce
• France: Peugeot, Citroen, Renault
• Italy: Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Ferrari, Lamborghini
• Sweden: Volvo
• Czech Republic: Skoda
• Japan: Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi
• South Korea: Hyundai, Kia, Genesis
• China: BYD, Geely, SAIC Motor, Great Wall Motor, Chery, Xiaomi, NIO, Changan
• India: Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Force Motors

Final Words

In summary, the top 10 top 10 car companies in the world have various strengths, markets and product strategies. Several of the major automakers – such as the Volkswagen Group, Hyundai Motor Group – have multiple regions and segments, and Toyota remains the leader in total sales. At the same time, companies such as BYD and Tesla are changing the industry with their focus on electric vehicles. Combined sales and revenue of the top car companies reveals a clearer picture, when combined with market value.

FAQs:

What are the top 10 biggest car companies?
The biggest car companies by 2025 global sales are Toyota, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai Motor Group, GM, Stellantis, BYD, Ford, Honda, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Is Toyota bigger than Tesla?
Yes, Toyota sells far more vehicles than Tesla, although Tesla has a much higher market capitalisation.

Which car company has the most revenue?
Volkswagen Group is among the world’s highest-revenue car companies, supported by its large sales volume and wide range of brands.

Which car brand is most profitable?
Ferrari is one of the most profitable car brands, earning high margins through premium pricing and strong demand for its limited-production cars.

What car was the biggest flop?
The Ford Edsel is widely considered one of the biggest car flops due to poor sales despite significant development and marketing spending.