From the dawn of the automotive era, the American car market has witnessed a fascinating evolution in consumer preferences, technological advancements, and economic trends. Delving into the annals of automotive history, we unveil a captivating chronicle: the top-selling car of each year since 1978.
1978 – Oldsmobile Cutlass: 520,279 Units
Oldsmobile boldly downsized the Cutlass from a V8 engine to a V6 Buick. And guess what? Sales didn’t just hold steady; they soared! Despite the trimmer dimensions, the Cutlass’s allure remained irresistible. Over half a million of these sleek machines found their way onto American roads, conquering driveways nationwide.
1979 – Oldsmobile Cutlass: 518,160 Units
In the automotive scene in 1979, the Cutlass reclaimed its throne as the quintessential choice for middle-class America. This time, G.M. rolled out a game-changer: a diesel V8 engine option that stole the spotlight.
1980 – Oldsmobile Cutlass: 469,573 Units
As the auto industry gears up for the dawn of the 1980s, there’s a sense of déjà vu reminiscent of the late 1970s. Once again, the Oldsmobile Cutlass reigns supreme as the nation’s top-selling car. This marks the third consecutive year that the Cutlass has claimed this title, despite experiencing a slight dip in sales volumes.
1981 – Oldsmobile Cutlass: 454,188 Units
Despite another dip in sales, the Cutlass retained its reign as the undisputed champion for the fourth consecutive year. Moreover, in ’81, G.M. made a significant move by discontinuing the legendary 4-4-2 performance package — a powerhouse combo featuring a 4-barrel carburetor, 4-speed transmission, and dual exhaust — a staple since 1964
1982 – Ford Escort: 337,667 Units
Ford introduced the Escort, boldly stepping away from the outdated Pinto. Little did they know they were paving the way for a revolution. Amid economic turbulence in 1982, the Escort rose to prominence, capturing the hearts of American drivers and dethroning the once-reigning Oldsmobile Cutlass.
1983 – Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme: 331,179 Units
1983 would be the year when the Cutlass took its final bow as the reigning domestic sales champion. The company introduced two new lines: the giant Cutlass Supreme, preserving its classic rear-wheel drive, and the smaller Cutlass Ciera, boasting a modern front-wheel-drive chassis.
1984 – Chevrolet Cavalier: 383,752 Units
Launched in 1982, the Chevy Cavalier emerged to meet the evolving American preference for smaller, fuel-efficient cars, as signaled by the Ford Escort earlier. It aimed squarely at challenging imports like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic dominating the market. Surpassing 250,000 units annually from 1983 to the mid-1990s, it claimed the top spot in 1984.
1985 – Chevrolet’s Cavalier: 422,927 Units
Chevrolet’s Cavalier surged to the forefront of sales again in 1985, clinching the top position for the second consecutive year. Fueling its triumph was its diverse lineup, bragging five captivating body styles: the sleek coupe and refined sedan, the versatile hatchback, the practical wagon, and the exhilarating convertible.
1986 – Chevrolet Celebrity: 408,946
The Chevrolet Celebrity blazed onto the scene in 1982, starting a nine-year journey that left an indelible mark on automotive history. Its pinnacle arrived in 1986 when it soared past all expectations to claim fame as America’s bestselling car.
1987 – Ford Escort: 392,360 Units
Five years after its initial reign as a leader, the Escort surged back to the forefront in 1987, reclaiming its throne with an astounding sale of nearly 400,000 units. From 1987 to 1990, these years marked the culmination of the first generation Escort, cementing its legacy as a timeless icon in American car history.
1988 – Ford Escort: 381,330 Units
In the ’88 edition of the Ford Escort, power was king. The standard model boasted a robust 90 horsepower, while the G.T. roared with an impressive 110 horsepower. Plus, introducing the entry-level Pony model in ’88 offered drivers the choice between automatic or four-speed manual transmission for the first time.
1989 – Honda Accord: 362,707 Units
Despite debuting in 1976, the Honda Accord played second fiddle in the 1980s. However, everything shifted dramatically in 1989 when this Japanese import soared to the top of sales charts, marking a pivotal moment in its history.
1990 – Honda Accord: 417,179 Units
In 1990, the Accord entered its fourth generation, marking a significant shift beyond just appearances. The lineup expanded to include a wagon, coupe, and sedan, powered by a robust 2.2-liter engine delivering 130 horsepower. Notably, it boasted increased length and a wider wheelbase, enhancing its overall performance and presence.
1991 – Honda Accord: 399,297 Units
The Accord soared with nearly 400,000 units sold, marking another milestone in its remarkable journey. This fourth-generation gem introduced the sport shift mode, allowing drivers to manually select gears on an automatic transmission.
1992 – Ford Taurus: 409,751 Units
In 1992, Ford reclaimed America’s top sales spot from Honda as the Taurus surged to become the nation’s best-selling car. Marking the debut of its second generation, the Taurus bid farewell to the L model while introducing the sleek LX and G.L. options.
1993 – Ford Taurus: 360,448 Units
The Taurus retained its championship in 1993, with the second generation continuing the legacy of success. Sporting an automatic V6, it ditched the old four-cylinder and manual setups.
1994 – Ford Taurus: 397,037 Units
In 1994, the Taurus continued its three-year winning streak, showcasing groundbreaking safety advancements. Introducing passenger-side airbags, it became the pioneer among mainstream sedans, setting a new standard with dual front airbags.
1995 – Ford Taurus: 366,266 Units
For the fourth consecutive year, the Ford Taurus remains the top choice among passenger cars. Despite facing the inevitable passage of time, with sales dropping by almost 8 percent compared to the previous year, its steadfast popularity remains unchallenged.
1996 – Ford Taurus: 401,049 Units
The Taurus entered its fourth generation, solidifying its reign as the top contender for five straight years. Sporting a fresh makeover inside and out, this ovoid iteration had a captivating new aesthetic and a meticulously crafted interior, destined to allure drivers seeking a touch of refinement and luxury.
1997 – Toyota Camry: 397,156 Units
In 1997, a seismic shift rocked the automotive world as the American powerhouse, Ford Taurus, yielded its throne to a formidable Japanese contender, the Toyota Camry. With this victory, Toyota proclaimed the title of America’s top-selling car for the first time, marking the dawn of an unparalleled dynasty.
1998 – Toyota Camry: 429,575 Units
A decade and a half since its inception in 1983, the Toyota Camry had firmly cemented its reign at the forefront. Entering its second year of the fourth generation, this iconic vehicle had evolved beyond its Japanese origins. With its roots now profoundly embedded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Toyota’s engineering prowess was instrumental in crafting half of all Camrys rolling off the assembly line.
1999 – Toyota Camry: 448,162 Units
In 1999, Toyota boldly unleashed the revamped Camry Solara, resurrecting the coupe version shelved earlier. With sleek lines and a powerhouse engine, the Solara outpaced its sedan counterpart, leaving the same-generation Camry in its dust.
2000 – Toyota Camry: 422,961 Units
By the turn of the millennium, the Camry made a strategic move by removing its wagon variant. With an astounding annual sales figure exceeding 420,000 units, the Camry had firmly cemented its status as the unrivaled choice among midsize sedans for America’s middle class.
2001 – Honda Accord: 414,718 Units
In 2001, the Accord surged triumphantly to claim the throne of the U.S. sales market, fiercely challenging the dominance of the Camry. Yet, its reign atop the charts was destined to be short-lived.
2002 – Toyota Camry: 434,135 Units
In an impressive streak, the Toyota Camry clinched the title of America’s top-selling car for the fourth time in five years. Marking the start of its fifth generation, this latest iteration included enhancements, like a sleeker design, expanded dimensions with a weightier feel, and a spacious trunk.
2003 – Toyota Camry: 413,296 Units
In 2003, the ever-reliable Camry emerged victorious, and it was the only brand to have sold over 400,000 units. Its closest competitor, the Honda Accord, trailed behind with 397,750 units sold. Meanwhile, the Toyota Corolla/Matrix and the Ford Taurus lagged far behind in second and third place, respectively.
2004 – Toyota Camry: 426,990 Units
Toyota surged ahead in 2004, driving a remarkable 3.3% increase in Camry sales compared to the previous year. Once more, it became the sole passenger car to surpass the impressive 400,000 milestone in the United States.
2005 – Toyota Camry: 431,703 Units
In 2005, the Camry underwent a series of enhancements, predominantly focused on its appearance – sleeker gauges, fresh seat fabrics, and the convenience of audio controls mounted on the steering wheel. However, amidst these cosmetic upgrades lay a transformative change that revolutionized automotive safety standards: From that year forward, every Camry rolled off the assembly line equipped with antilock brakes as a standard feature.
2006 – Toyota Camry: 448,445 Units
Toyota had a bumper year in 2006, with the Camry nearing 450,000 domestic sales. Meanwhile, rival Honda Accord saw a significant 4% decline. On the other hand, Toyota’s Corolla/Matrix surged by 13.5%, overtaking the Accord and securing Toyota’s top two spots on America’s bestselling cars list.
2007 – Toyota Camry: 473,108 Units
Crowned as the Car of the Year in recognition of its unparalleled success, with over 10 million units sold worldwide since it first hit the market in 1983, it’s not surprising that the Camy was once again the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. Americans were snapping up 1,200 Camrys weekly, propelling total sales to over 473,000 units, with the Camry breaking the 450,000 mark for the first time.
2008 – Toyota Camry: 436,617 Units
In 2008, despite a global financial crisis wreaking havoc on car sales, the Camry achieved an impressive milestone. It marked the tenth instance in eleven years where Camry sales exceeded 400,000 units in the U.S. Despite a 7.7% decline, it sold close to 437,000 units, outshining competitors in a challenging market where four of the top five bestselling cars saw significant sales drops.
2009 – Toyota Camry: 356,824 Units
In 2009, amidst a crippling recession, the top five models unsurprisingly experienced significant sales declines. Leading the pack, Toyota’s Camry and Corolla/Matrix saw drops of 18.3% and 15.4%, respectively, with Toyota emerging as the most resilient. However, Honda’s Accord and Civic and Nissan’s Maxima endured even harsher blows, each suffering losses exceeding 22%. This marked a pivotal moment as Camry sales dipped below 400,000 for the first time since 2001.
2010 – Toyota Camry: 327,804 Units
In 2010, the auto industry faced another harsh setback. While the Camry held its ground as the best-selling car with just under 328,000 units sold, the Toyota Corolla/Matrix experienced a devastating double-digit decline. With domestic sales plummeting by 10.4%, it relinquished its position to the Accord, which saw sales rise, claiming the No. 2 spot after the Camry.
2011 – Toyota Camry: 308,510 Units
The Camry retained its title in 2011 despite facing its third consecutive annual sales decline, barely surpassing 310,000 units. The Nissan Altima emerged as a formidable newcomer, surging into second place with a remarkable 17.3% sales increase.
2012 – Toyota Camry: 404,886 Units
In 2012, the federal bailout revitalized the auto industry, leading to an astounding single-year revival. Camry sales skyrocketed by 31.2%, exceeding 400,000 units for the first time since 2008.
2013 – Toyota Camry: 408,484 Units
A surge in revenue empowered Toyota to pioneer a suite of safety enhancements. That year, the Camry integrated Traction Control, Smart Stop technology, antilock brakes, and Blind-Spot Monitoring as standard features.
2014 – Toyota Camry: 428,606 Units
At the end of 2014, sales had surged for three consecutive years. While all top five models, except the Honda Civic, experienced rising sales, the Camry dominated with over 400,000 cars sold, leaving the Honda Accord in a distant second with just over 388,000 sales.
2015 – Toyota Camry: 429,355 Units
The Camry dominated sales once again, nearly hitting 430,000 pieces. But in a surprising twist, the Toyota Corolla climbed to second place as the Honda Accord experienced a sharp 8.4% decline, dropping it to third.
2016 – Toyota Camry: 388,618 Units
In 2016, Camry sales plummeted by almost 10%, marking the first time since the recession that they fell below 400,000. Meanwhile, the Corolla, Civic, and Accord were just a little behind, each boasting sales exceeding 345,000 units.
2017 – Toyota Camry: 387,081 Units
Debuting in 1983 during the reign of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, the Camry celebrated its 34th year in production in 2017. Since dethroning the Honda Accord in 1997, it has dominated domestic sales, securing its position as America’s top-selling car for 20 out of the last 21 years.
2018 – Toyota Camry: 343,439 Units
2018, the Camry continued its dominance despite declining sedans and passenger cars. Compact car sales dropped over 11% from 2017, with subcompacts falling by over 20%. Yet, amidst the SUV and truck takeover, the Camry holds its ground.
2019 – Toyota Camry: 336,978 Units
The Camry continues its dominance into its second decade, marking its 18th consecutive year as the top-selling car in the United States. However, this streak faces a downward trend that emerged four years back
2020 – Toyota Camry: 294,348 Units
In its fifth year of decline, sedan sales plummeted further due to the COVID-19 pandemic, hitting the Camry particularly hard with a 13% drop in sales. Even with its enticing Toyota Racing Development variant and diverse engine options, including four-cylinder, V-6, and hybrid, the Camry struggled to maintain momentum.
2021 – Toyota Camry: 313,795 Units
Despite challenges like chip shortages and supply-chain disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic, Toyota’s Camry emerged as the top-selling passenger car in the U.S., witnessing a remarkable 7% sales surge compared to the previous year.
2022 – Toyota Camry: 295,201 Units
In 2022, Camry maintained its dominant sales position with a slight dip in overall sales. Meanwhile, Toyota’s Corolla claimed second place in passenger car sales, selling an impressive 222,216 units.
2023 – Toyota Camry: 290,649 Units
While the year’s market was flooded with SUVs, the Camry still held its own, doing better than some notable models. Despite a 1.5% drop in sales, the vehicle is a significant player in the car industry.
