Auto sales in America plunged at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, collapsing from April through the fall. But with dealers beginning to open and more people ordering cars online, the fourth quarter saw a strong recovery, which extended into 2021. In fact, the industry should make a full recovery this year.
Throughout the first quarter of 2021, nearly 4 million cars were sold in America, nearly 500,000 more than in the first quarter of 2020. Just a few dozen models accounted for the majority of sales — more than 30 models sold over 30,000 cars in the first three months of 2021.
To determine the best selling cars in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the vehicles with the highest sales figures in the U.S. during the first quarter of 2021, according to GoodCarBadCar.
Parts of the auto industry landscape have changed. Electric cars are no longer a novelty. Tesla produced 500,000 cars last year. Traditional American car manufacturers have also started to have success with electric vehicles, led by the Chevy Bolt EV. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, introduced last year, has posted brisk sales. Almost every major global manufacturer expects much of its model lines to be all-electric by the end of the decade.
The best-selling vehicle by far in the first quarter of this year was the Ford F-Series. It sold 203,797 units in the period. The F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle in America for 39 years. The full-sized pickup has a number of models. The base model sells for $28,940. One version of the F-150 sells for over $70,000.
A trend that started a decade ago and has not changed this year is a preference for sport utility vehicles, crossovers, and pickups. Sedan sales have steadily dropped recently. Ford has stopped selling most of its sedans in the United States. While the decline of some cars has been slow, consumer tastes can shift quickly, and there are dozens of models that have seen their sales drop by more than half in the last five years. These are the 25 cars disappearing the fastest.
Click here to see America’s best-selling cars.
31. Honda Pilot
> Sales, Q1 2021: 31,451
> Change from Q1 2020: +31.6%
> Year introduced: 2002
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30. Nissan Altima
> Sales, Q1 2021: 32,016
> Change from Q1 2020: +-32.4%
> Year introduced: 1992
29. Hyundai Tuscon
> Sales, Q1 2021: 33,147
> Change from Q1 2020: +39.7%
> Year introduced: 2004
28. Tesla Model Y
> Sales, Q1 2021: 33,628
> Change from Q1 2020: +0.0%
> Year introduced: 2020
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27. Subaru CrossTrek
> Sales, Q1 2021: 35,187
> Change from Q1 2020: +63.5%
> Year introduced: 2013
26. Mazda CX-5
> Sales, Q1 2021: 36,242
> Change from Q1 2020: +2.9%
> Year introduced: 2013
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25. Nissan Sentra
> Sales, Q1 2021: 37,238
> Change from Q1 2020: +55.9%
> Year introduced: 1982
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24. Toyota 4Runner
> Sales, Q1 2021: 37,263
> Change from Q1 2020: +32.7%
> Year introduced: 1984
23. Jeep Cherokee
> Sales, Q1 2021: 37,922
> Change from Q1 2020: +12.6%
> Year introduced: 1974
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22. Chevrolet Traverse
> Sales, Q1 2021: 38,037
> Change from Q1 2020: +26.4%
> Year introduced: 2008
21. Ford Escape
> Sales, Q1 2021: 40,990
> Change from Q1 2020: +-14.8%
> Year introduced: 2001
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20. Subaru Outback
> Sales, Q1 2021: 41,503
> Change from Q1 2020: +27.3%
> Year introduced: 1994
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19. Honda Accord
> Sales, Q1 2021: 46,591
> Change from Q1 2020: +-1.1%
> Year introduced: 1976
18. Subaru Forester
> Sales, Q1 2021: 47,694
> Change from Q1 2020: +22.0%
> Year introduced: 1997
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17. Chevrolet Suburban
> Sales, Q1 2021: 48,086
> Change from Q1 2020: +774.0%
> Year introduced: 1935
16. Jeep Wrangler
> Sales, Q1 2021: 49,647
> Change from Q1 2020: +25.2%
> Year introduced: 1986
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15. Jeep Grand Cherokee
> Sales, Q1 2021: 55,197
> Change from Q1 2020: +10.2%
> Year introduced: 1992
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14. Honda Civic
> Sales, Q1 2021: 55,903
> Change from Q1 2020: +-12.6%
> Year introduced: 1972
13. GMC Sierra
> Sales, Q1 2021: 62,916
> Change from Q1 2020: +18.7%
> Year introduced: 1962
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12. Chevrolet Equinox
> Sales, Q1 2021: 63,218
> Change from Q1 2020: +-13.9%
> Year introduced: 2004
11. Toyota Highlander
> Sales, Q1 2021: 63,831
> Change from Q1 2020: +33.3%
> Year introduced: 2001
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10. Ford Explorer
> Sales, Q1 2021: 65,244
> Change from Q1 2020: +15.9%
> Year introduced: 1990
9. Toyota Tacoma
> Sales, Q1 2021: 66,449
> Change from Q1 2020: +23.9%
> Year introduced: 1995
8. Toyota Corolla
> Sales, Q1 2021: 72,520
> Change from Q1 2020: +4.8%
> Year introduced: 1966
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7. Toyota Camry
> Sales, Q1 2021: 78,151
> Change from Q1 2020: +1.3%
> Year introduced: 1983
6. Nissan Rogue
> Sales, Q1 2021: 86,719
> Change from Q1 2020: +45.2%
> Year introduced: 2007
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5. Honda CR-V
> Sales, Q1 2021: 93,766
> Change from Q1 2020: +31.7%
> Year introduced: 1997
4. Toyota RAV4
> Sales, Q1 2021: 114,255
> Change from Q1 2020: +17.0%
> Year introduced: 1996
3. Chevrolet Silverado
> Sales, Q1 2021: 126,591
> Change from Q1 2020: +-11.9%
> Year introduced: 1999
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2. Ram Pickup
> Sales, Q1 2021: 148,837
> Change from Q1 2020: +15.6%
> Year introduced: 1980
1. Ford F-Series
> Sales, Q1 2021: 203,797
> Change from Q1 2020: +9.2%
> Year introduced: 1948
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