If We Give You the Brand, Can You Name Its Most Popular Car?

Robin Tyler

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Since the dawn of the first motor vehicle in 1895, car makers around the world have continued to strive for the perfect piece of machinery. Although that might never be possible, it sure led to so many makes and models, that it's impossible to keep up.

For instance, just think of how many different models Ford has produced in its 100-and-a-bit-year history. What about other brands such as Chevrolet or Peugeot. They too have been around for more than a century, introducing new model after new model.

Even car makers that are new to the game have more than one product on offer. For example, Tesla who only started making cars in 2012 and already has a number of different models.

So now we get to the task at hand. And it is not an easy one. Of all the different models that car manufacturers offer, which are their best sellers?  Which one model has stood out, taken the imagination of the public and outsold its counterparts? It might be because it was an exceptional car or in some cases because it was cheap. In fact, there are many reasons why cars become top sellers.

So let's see how many top sellers you can identify from a range of car brands around the world.

Good luck!

Ford is not only one of the great American brands but that of the world as well. Over the course of more than 100 years, Ford has produced many cars. Which one sold the most units?

An icon, the Model T made vehicles affordable to the man in the street. Thanks to Henry Ford using interchangeable parts as well as a production line to build the car, prices for the Model T were kept low enough for ordinary people to be able to buy a car. And it showed in the sales figures with more than 15 million sold from 1908 to 1927.

Which Porsche model has sold the most units worldwide?

First produced in 1963, the 911 is certainly the most well known Porsche of them all. Available in a range of body options, including a targa top, more than 1 million have been sold worldwide up until 2017.

Everyone loves Jeep. Can you name its top-selling model of all time?

One of Jeep’s top selling models, the Grand Cherokee was first introduced in 1992. It is currently in its fourth generation. Worldwide sales figures for the Cherokee reached just over 277,000 units in 2015 while the brand has sold around 3 million units overall.

It doesn't get more luxurious than Rolls Royce. Of its models, which has sold the most?

Two generations of the Silver Shadow were manufactured by Rolls Royce between 1965 and 1980. This was the first Rolls Royce model to use a unitary chassis and body during construction. Rolls Royce offered a 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe and 2-door convertible. Just over 30,000 Silver Shadows were produced.

Mazda, the Japanese automaker, has produced a range of models over the years. Which of these is its top seller?

The Familia, also known at the 323, was a small compact car marketed by Mazda for 40 years, starting in 1963. All in all, the Familia included eight generations, each with a range of body styles, including wagons, hatchbacks and sedans. More than 10 million have been sold over the years.

A division of Ford, Mercury's top seller moved around 2.7 million units. Can you name it?

Marketed from 1975 to 2011, the Mercury Grand Marquis sold around 2.7 million units in the United States and Canada. Four generations of this full-sized sedan were produced during that period.

Japanese automaker Toyota has produced some amazing cars over the years. Which is their top-selling​ model?

The best-selling car in the world, the Toyota Corolla, was first introduced in 1966. During its lifetime, it has had 11 redesigns, first starting out as a subcompact model, moving to a compact as well as a mid-size category. In 2016, more than 300,000 units of the Corolla were sold in the United States alone. Since its introduction, more than 40 million Corollas have been sold worldwide.

French automaker Simca eventually became part of the Chrysler group in 1970 and then TSA in 1979. What was its most popular car?

More than 2 million Simca 11 models were sold between 1967 and 1982. This supermini car came in a range of body options, including hatchback, estate, coupe utility and as a van.

Can you name the top-selling brand from American manufacturer Dodge?

The Coronet was manufactured by Dodge for three decades with some breaks in between. From 1949 to 1959, the Coronet was positioned in the full-size car segment. From 1965 to 1976, the Coronet formed part of the mid-size car segment. It had many model options ranging from a 2-door convertible to a 4-door wagon. It is the top-selling Dodge model of all time with more than 2 million units sold.

German luxury car maker BMW has made many models since the 1930s. Which one is its top-selling​ brand?

Introduced by BMW in 1975, the 3-series is one of the German car maker's top-selling brands. Now in its seventh generation, more than 15 million vehicles have been sold worldwide.

There is nothing like a Caddy, is there? But do you know the top-selling Cadillac vehicle of all time?

Certainly an iconic name in American motoring, the Cadillac DeVille was produced between 1958 and 2005. More than 4 million were sold during this period.

What is the top-selling Lamborghini model of all time?

Lamborghini makes incredibly beautiful cars and the Gallardo could be the best of all. Produced between 2003 and 2013, the second generation of the car was powered by a 5.2-liter V10. Lamborghini even released a convertible, the Spyder, with a fully automated soft top. Around 14,000 Gallardos were sold during its production run, making it the top-selling Lamborghini ever.

Which Citroen model from the options listed below is the top-selling one of all time?

Incredibly, the Citroen 2CV was produced from 1948 to 1990. It was mostly marketed as a 4-door sedan but also came as a van, coupe utility and station wagon. More than 3.8 million were manufactured, making it the most-produced Citroen vehicle ever.

Mitsubishi is known for its reliability and performance sedans. Do you know their top-selling model?

First produced in 1973, the Mitsubishi Lancer has been marketed under a number of name badges. Up until 2017, more than six million units have been sold.

German brand Opel has always been successful in Europe but also made an impact in other markets. Which is its best-selling brand?

As part of the supermini class, the Corsa was first introduced in Europe in 1982. Marketed under the Vauxhall badge in the United Kingdom, this model has remained very popular and is currently in its fifth generation. More than 16 million have been sold worldwide.

Mini car maker SMART has had a few models over the years. Can you select their top seller from the list below?

Introduced in 1998, the Smart ForTwo (Mk III ) is a city or microcar that weighs a mere 880 kg, is 106 inches long and 65 inches wide. Still in production, the current Mk III is available as a 3-door hatchback or 2-door cabriolet. Around 1.7 million have been sold worldwide.

Now defunct, Oldsmobile once sold plenty of vehicles. What was its top seller of all time?

Established in 1897 by Ransom E. Olds, this American auto manufacturer closed its doors in 2004 after producing 35 million vehicles for American roads. The Cutlass, a model introduced in the early ‘60s, proved to be the most popular introduced by the company. Around 11.9 million units drove off the showroom floor around America.

Of the models below, which was the best-selling car for American Motors Corporation?

American Motors Corporation offered the AMC Hornet as a single generation model between 1970 and 1977, replacing the Rambler American. The AMC Hornet was available as a hatchback coupe, sedan or station wagon.

Released in 1972, which of these Honda models is the company's top selling brand?

Since 2012, the Honda Civic has sold more than 1.6 million units in the United States alone. The Civic brand was first introduced by the Japanese automaker in 1972 in the subcompact car bracket. From 2000, however, the Civic has competed in the compact car class. Including sales up until the end of 2015, 18.5 million Civics have been sold worldwide.

Russian automaker AvtoVaz produced a model that sold 17 million units from 1970 onward. Can you name it?

The Lada Classic was in production from 1970 to 2010 in Russia, a period of 40 years. It was also sold in other Eastern European countries and other parts of the world. The Lada Classic is the third highest selling vehicle of all time, with 17 million units sold during its production run.

Which model from Tesla is its top-selling model?

An electric car, the Tesla Model S is a sedan first introduced by the company in 2012. Its battery gives it a phenomenal range of more than 500 kilometers, more than any other electric car on the road today. More than 150,000 were sold by the end of 2016.

Can you identify the Fiat model that has sold the most models for that Italian company?

Fiat has produced cars from the turn of the last century. Their first model was available in 1901, the 4HP. In the ‘80s, the Uno model was a particular favorite, both in Italy and around the world. The last Uno rolled off the production line in Brazil in 2013 with more than 8 million built worldwide.

Can you name the top-selling Renault model from the list below?

Renault introduced the Clio to the world in 1990 with the first generation model made for most of that decade. It quickly became a popular car in Europe and had 10 different powerplant options as well as both manual and automatic gearboxes. Now in its fourth generation, the Clio has sold more than 13 million units worldwide.

British sportscar manufacturer Lotus makes incredible cars. What is its top-selling model?

This 2-door, rear-wheel drive roadster first turned an engine over in anger in 1996. Still produced today, the Elise remains a fun, nimble car to drive with plenty of power under your foot. more than 20,000 were sold worldwide.

Can you tell us the top-selling model of all time from Swedish manufacturer Volvo?

The popular 200 series from Volvo saw the Swedish company sell close to 3 million cars from 1974 to 1993. The 240 was available as both a sedan and an estate.

Which of these is the most popular Nissan brand?

With more than 16 million sales, since 1966, the Sentra is the most popular Nissan model ever. Note that it has been marketed under various name badges depending in which territory it is sold. These include Sunny, Almeira, and Pulsar.

Produced to rival small Japanese imports, Saturn vehicles were popular to begin with. What was the most popular one?

Competing in the compact car segment, the S Series was first released in 1991. There were three models, the SW, SL, and SC. Two further generations followed during the decade with around 2,2 million sold.

Can you name the top-selling model from British sport car maker Aston Martin?

Released in 1994 and produced for the next decade, this British sports car is the epitome of cool. After all, it is the choice of James Bond. More than 7,000 were produced with two engine options available, including a 5.9-liter V12.

Peugeot is one of the oldest car makers in the world. Do you know its most popular model?

Made between 1998 and 2012, more 12 million Peugeot 206s were sold by the French car maker. In 2016, it remained one of the top-selling cars in Britain despite production ending in 2012.

Do you know the top-selling Lincoln model of all time?

Produced for a 20-year period from 1981 to 2001, the Town Car was a Lincoln model in the luxury full-size car segment. Three generations of this vehicle were produced during the two decades in which the Town Car was marketed.

Volkswagen, the maker of "People's Cars" is one of the world's favorite brands. What is its top-selling​ model of all time?

Since its inception in 1974, the Golf has gone from strength to strength. In fact, Volkswagen’s tagline, ‘The People’s Car,’ easily moved from the aging Beetle to this hatchback. Currently, on its seventh model in the range over the last 40 years, Golfs are sophisticated, high-performance vehicles that are also popular. More than 40 million have been sold worldwide since they were first marketed.

Jaguar make superb luxury cars. Which one is its top seller?

The XJ is the top-selling brand in the Jaguar lineup. Introduced in 1968, the XJ is now in its ninth generation. More than 900,000 have been sold to date.

More than 8 million examples of this Mercedes-Benz luxury model have left showroom floors over the years. What is it?

Mercedes-Benz has always produced top quality cars and, of course, the C-Class is no different. This executive car was introduced into the Mercedes range in 1993. The W204, the fourth generation of this vehicle, was introduced in 2014 and is available in four body styles, including sedan, estate, convertible, and coupe.

Of the options below, which do you think is Land Rover's best ever seller?

Over the years, the Land Rover has become a favorite of many with the Defender being one of the company's most iconic models. The first Defender rolled off the production lines in 1983 and remained in production until 2016. Land Rover is currently owned by the Indian company, Tata. More ​than 2 million Defenders have been sold worldwide.

Australian automaker Holden has produced a fair few models since the 1950s. One has sold more than 3 million units. Do you know what it is?

The Commodore is a nameplate associated with the Holden brand for a number of decades. The VR Commodore was introduced to the country in 1993 and marketed until 1995. It was far sleeker than earlier models and introduced safety features such as anti-lock brakes. It helped contribute to more than 3 million sales for the nameplate.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes