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.Â
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.
Source: automobiles.honda.com
31. Honda Pilot
> Sales, Q1 2021: 31,451
> Change from Q1 2020: +31.6%
> Year introduced: 2002
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Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images
30. Nissan Altima
> Sales, Q1 2021: 32,016
> Change from Q1 2020: +-32.4%
> Year introduced: 1992
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29. Hyundai Tuscon
> Sales, Q1 2021: 33,147
> Change from Q1 2020: +39.7%
> Year introduced: 2004
Source: Tesla Inc.
28. Tesla Model Y
> Sales, Q1 2021: 33,628
> Change from Q1 2020: +0.0%
> Year introduced: 2020
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Source: Courtesy of Subaru
27. Subaru CrossTrek
> Sales, Q1 2021: 35,187
> Change from Q1 2020: +63.5%
> Year introduced: 2013
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
26. Mazda CX-5
> Sales, Q1 2021: 36,242
> Change from Q1 2020: +2.9%
> Year introduced: 2013
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Source: www.nissanusa.com
25. Nissan Sentra
> Sales, Q1 2021: 37,238
> Change from Q1 2020: +55.9%
> Year introduced: 1982
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Source: toyota.com
24. Toyota 4Runner
> Sales, Q1 2021: 37,263
> Change from Q1 2020: +32.7%
> Year introduced: 1984
Source: Courtesy of Jeep
23. Jeep Cherokee
> Sales, Q1 2021: 37,922
> Change from Q1 2020: +12.6%
> Year introduced: 1974
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Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images
22. Chevrolet Traverse
> Sales, Q1 2021: 38,037
> Change from Q1 2020: +26.4%
> Year introduced: 2008
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
21. Ford Escape
> Sales, Q1 2021: 40,990
> Change from Q1 2020: +-14.8%
> Year introduced: 2001
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Source: Courtesy of Subaru
20. Subaru Outback
> Sales, Q1 2021: 41,503
> Change from Q1 2020: +27.3%
> Year introduced: 1994
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Source: Bryan Mitchell / Getty Images
19. Honda Accord
> Sales, Q1 2021: 46,591
> Change from Q1 2020: +-1.1%
> Year introduced: 1976
Source: Robert Hradil / Getty Images
18. Subaru Forester
> Sales, Q1 2021: 47,694
> Change from Q1 2020: +22.0%
> Year introduced: 1997
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Source: Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons
17. Chevrolet Suburban
> Sales, Q1 2021: 48,086
> Change from Q1 2020: +774.0%
> Year introduced: 1935
Source: Robert Hradil / Getty Images
16. Jeep Wrangler
> Sales, Q1 2021: 49,647
> Change from Q1 2020: +25.2%
> Year introduced: 1986
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Source: Courtesy of Jeep
15. Jeep Grand Cherokee
> Sales, Q1 2021: 55,197
> Change from Q1 2020: +10.2%
> Year introduced: 1992
Source: Courtesy of Honda
14. Honda Civic
> Sales, Q1 2021: 55,903
> Change from Q1 2020: +-12.6%
> Year introduced: 1972
Source: Courtesy of GMC
13. GMC Sierra
> Sales, Q1 2021: 62,916
> Change from Q1 2020: +18.7%
> Year introduced: 1962
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Source: Courtesy of Chevrolet
12. Chevrolet Equinox
> Sales, Q1 2021: 63,218
> Change from Q1 2020: +-13.9%
> Year introduced: 2004
Source: toyota.com
11. Toyota Highlander
> Sales, Q1 2021: 63,831
> Change from Q1 2020: +33.3%
> Year introduced: 2001
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Source: Courtesy of Ford Automotive
10. Ford Explorer
> Sales, Q1 2021: 65,244
> Change from Q1 2020: +15.9%
> Year introduced: 1990
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Source: Scott Olson / Getty Images
9. Toyota Tacoma
> Sales, Q1 2021: 66,449
> Change from Q1 2020: +23.9%
> Year introduced: 1995
Source: toyota.com
8. Toyota Corolla
> Sales, Q1 2021: 72,520
> Change from Q1 2020: +4.8%
> Year introduced: 1966
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Source: Getty Images / Getty Images
7. Toyota Camry
> Sales, Q1 2021: 78,151
> Change from Q1 2020: +1.3%
> Year introduced: 1983
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
6. Nissan Rogue
> Sales, Q1 2021: 86,719
> Change from Q1 2020: +45.2%
> Year introduced: 2007
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Source: Courtesy of Honda
5. Honda CR-V
> Sales, Q1 2021: 93,766
> Change from Q1 2020: +31.7%
> Year introduced: 1997
Source: 152930510@N02 / Flickr
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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Source: diversey / Flickr
2. Ram Pickup
> Sales, Q1 2021: 148,837
> Change from Q1 2020: +15.6%
> Year introduced: 1980
Source: benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
1. Ford F-Series
> Sales, Q1 2021: 203,797
> Change from Q1 2020: +9.2%
> Year introduced: 1948
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