Estimates for new car and light truck sales in 2014 vary in a range of around 85.5 million to about 87.0 million. Any number in the range will be a handsome increase over the 83.3 million light vehicles sold in 2013.

Through September, global sales total just over 64.5 million vehicles, according to industry analysis firm focus2move. The Italy-based firm projects total 2014 sales of 86.7 million vehicles, an increase of 3.1% over 2013 sales.

The 15 top-selling brands through the first nine-months of the year, together with sales figures and market share through September are:

1. Toyota – 6.19 million units sold; 9.6% market share; made by Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM)
2. Volkswagen – 4.98 units sold; 7.7% market share; made by Volkswagen A.G.
3. Ford – 4.36 million units sold; 6.8% market share; made by Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F)
4. Chevrolet – 3.59 million units sold; 5.6% market share; made by General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM)
5. Hyundai – 3.56 million units sold; 5.5% market share; made by Hyundai Motor Co.
6. Nissan – 3.53 million units sold; 5.5% market share; made by Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
7. Honda – 3.16 million units sold; 4.9% market share; made by Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMC)
8. Kia – 2.1 million units sold; 3.3% market share; made by Kia Motors Corp.
9. Renault – 1.52 million units sold; 2.4% market share; made by Renault S.A.
10. Peugeot – 1.41 million units sold; 2.2% market share; made by Peugeot S.A.
11. Mercedes-Benz – 1.32 million units sold; 2.1% market share; made by Daimler A.G.
12. BMW – 1.31 million units sold; 2.0% market share; made by BMW A.G.
13. Audi – 1.3 million units sold; 2.0% market share; made by Volkswagen
14. Fiat – 1.36 million units sold; 2.1% market share; made by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (NYSE: FCAU)
15. Wuling – 1.25 million units sold; 1.9% market share; made by Wuling Motors

Keep in mind these are brands, not manufacturers. GM’s Buick brand has sold about 856,000 units so far this year and Toyota’s Lexus brand has sold about 361,000 units. Fiat Chrysler’s Jeep brand has sold about 658,000 units and the company’s Ram pickup brand has sold about 408,000 units. Ford’s F-150 and Chevy’s Silverado are included in the brand sales for Ford and Chevrolet.

Besides the struggle to beat Toyota at the top of the chart is the battle among the three premier luxury brands. Mercedes has sold slightly more than BMW, which has sold slightly more than Audi. Mercedes’ total sales barely topped BMW’s in October, but BMW’s growth is much stronger. The battle for bragging rights in the luxury sector will come right down to the wire this year.

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