The automotive market in different countries is about different leaders, different logics and different priorities of buyers. Find out which car brand is the most popular in 61 countries of the world according to 2025 data: from the unchanging dominance of Toyota and regional loyalty to Volkswagen in Europe - to the rise of China's BYD and domestic champions in Asia and Africa

Electronic road vignette for travel in Europe

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The automotive market is a mirror of the economy, culture and consumer habits of any country. One look at the global sales ranking by brand - and it becomes clear: there is no single "favorite" in the world. There is a Japanese giant, which is trusted by every fourth country. There is a Chinese contender, which is rapidly rewriting the rules of the game. And there are dozens of local champions, which no marketing of transnational corporations could displace from the pedestal in their homeland.

The analytical platform Focus2Move collected data on car sales in 61 countries for 2025 (for Argentina, Japan and the Philippines, data from 2024 was used) - and the picture turned out to be unexpectedly bright.

Planning a trip to Europe by car? Visit World will help you prepare for your trip without stress and unnecessary paperwork. On the portal you can purchase an electronic road vignette for any of the EU countries - the system will determine which ones are needed for your route. Everything is done online in a few minutes: no queues, no stickers, no risk of getting a fine on the road.

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Toyota: the unchanging world leader

If there is a brand that connects Texas with Thailand and Saudi Arabia with South Africa, it is Toyota. The Japanese manufacturer took first place in 25 of the 61 countries analyzed, that is, in 41% of the markets studied.

According to Focus2Move, in the first half of 2025, Toyota sold 4.73 million cars - more than any other brand on the planet. As of the beginning of 2026, Toyota's share of global sales is about 11.5%, and despite a slight decrease compared to the record 2024, the Japanese manufacturer has maintained its leadership for a decade in a row.

Toyota's secret is not in one brilliant model, but in a systemic approach. A wide range from the budget Corolla to the premium Land Cruiser, an extensive dealer network and a reputation for reliability that is difficult to overestimate in markets where the service infrastructure is still developing. That is why Toyota dominates in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa - regions where durability and low maintenance costs are valued above technological novelty.

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Europe: loyalty to its own

In the Old World, Toyota is losing the throne to the locals. Volkswagen remains the leader in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland and the UK - and this is not surprising: the brand is deeply rooted in the cultural code of the region, and its model range meets the requirements of even the most demanding European consumer.

Regional loyalty is also manifested on a smaller scale. The French choose Renault, the Italians choose Fiat, the Czechs choose Škoda (although technically it is also the Volkswagen Group). In Belgium, BMW is leading, which emphasizes that the premium segment in the Benelux feels confident.

This picture reflects a broader trend: where there is a strong in-house automotive school, consumers vote with their wallets for "their own" - even if the price or characteristics of a global competitor are comparable.

The European Union is preparing tough new rules for cars: from July 2026, cameras and sensors will monitor vision, fatigue and distraction while driving, and the car will give warnings in case of danger. Read here how the new technologies will work and who will be affected by the changes.

China, India, Vietnam: domestic champions

In the largest emerging markets, domestic manufacturers dominate - and this is a fundamentally important signal for the industry.

China is the largest automotive market on the planet (23.7% of global sales) and is led by BYD. The Chinese electric car manufacturer sold over 2.25 million BEVs in 2025, showing a 28% year-on-year growth. BYD is no longer a local brand: the company is actively entering foreign markets. Its sales in Europe tripled in the first eight months of 2025, reaching 84,400 units. By the end of 2026, BYD plans to double its dealer network in Europe to 2,000 points and launch its own production at a plant in Szeged, Hungary.

TOP-10 best airlines in the world 2026 at the link.

India remains Maruti Suzuki's territory. The brand maintains its lead thanks to the optimal balance of price, availability of spare parts and service in the most remote corners of the country.

Vietnam chose VinFast - a startup that is barely ten years old, but it already leads the domestic market and is actively developing international ones. This case is a vivid example of how state support and a clear focus on electrification can grow a competitive player almost from scratch.

The full rating covers 61 countries, for a detailed list, look at Focus2Move. 

What's next: 2026 and a new order

The global car market is entering a restructuring phase. According to Focus2Move, total sales in the first two months of 2026 decreased by 7% - due to a decline in China (−18.6%) and the USA, where demand is hampered by tariff restrictions.

Comparison of public transport prices in European capitals here.

Against this backdrop, several trends are clearer than ever:

- Toyota’s hybrid strategy is winning. While pure EV players face market saturation, Toyota, with its mix of hybrids, internal combustion engines and electric vehicles, is balancing supply and demand.

- BYD is feeling the pressure at home. Despite its triumph in 2025, the first months of 2026 saw BYD’s sales fall by 43.6% in the global ranking – a consequence of the saturation of the Chinese market.

- Geely is the fastest in the top 10. The Chinese group showed growth of 29.4% in 2025 and could further increase its ranking by the end of 2026.

- Hyundai-Kia are gaining momentum. The Korean tandem rose to third place among auto groups, showing growth of 0.6% at a time when most competitors are recording negative growth.

The world’s automobile map is not static. It is redrawn every year – and 2026 promises to be especially interesting.

Toyota, Volkswagen, BYD – whatever brand you choose for your trip through Europe, there is one detail that every tenth traveler forgets: the road vignette. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Moldova and Switzerland, entering the motorway without one is an offense – and entails a fine.

Today, the electronic e-vignette is a completely digital document: after payment, the data about your car is automatically registered in the country’s state database. No papers, no stickers – cameras on the road read the license plate and instantly confirm the payment. On the Visit World portal, you can immediately purchase vignettes for all countries along your route: just indicate the departure and arrival points, and the system will tell you where they are needed. You can book in advance – it will take no more than five minutes.

Don't leave it to the last minute: apply for an e-vignette at Visit World before departure – and drive with peace of mind.

Reminder! Long-haul flights are often a serious test for the body due to dry air, fatigue and time zone changes. At the same time, many passengers make their own condition worse by making typical mistakes during the flight. We have already talked about 11 habits that can ruin a long-haul flight, as well as tips from former flight attendant Tiffany Hawk for a more comfortable trip.

Photo – generated by Gemini