World 2010: Toyota Hilux #1 in 28 countries

Best Selling Cars now covers 154 countries around the world, so we can rank models by the number of times they appear #1 in any given country (more on the methodology below). This is exclusive to Best Selling Cars, you won’t find it anywhere else! Toyota places 4 models in the Top 5, showing how established the brand is all over the world.

The Toyota Hilux is the model that appears most often in #1: in 28 countries, including 21 in Africa. The Toyota Corolla follows: #1 in 18 countries, and the only one across the 5 continents: Europe (1 country), Asia (6), Africa (9), America (1) and Oceania (1).

Then come the Toyota Camry, VW Golf (both 8 countries) and Toyota Yaris/Vios (7). For the list of all 57 models that appear #1 and in which countries they do so, see below.

Gambia 2010: Mitsubishi L200 likely leader

Very small car market in Gambia, and the observation of the streets of the capital city Banjul reveal a likely domination by the Mitsubishi L200, with the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Tucson also strong sellers.

This is speculation only so please do get in touch if you have more information about the Gambian car market.

Street Scenes and Street Videos below.

Haiti 2010: Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier favourites

As in neighbouring Dominican Republic, Haitians seem to be fond of Nissan pick-ups, with the Nissan Frontier really successful. However its seems the Ford Ranger has taken the lead in this troubled year 2010 in Haiti. Pick-ups are a great help in the huge reconstruction effort the country has to go through after the dramatic earthquake of February 2010.

Another Haitian car tradition is Suzuki/Chevrolet 4WD’s: the Chevrolet Vitara and Grand Vitara can be seen frequently in the streets of Port-au-Prince. Other successful models include the Daihatsu Terios, Mazda Bt-50, Toyota Hilux, Hyundai Tucson, Chevrolet Luv D-Max and Mitsubishi L200.

Street scenes and street videos below.

El Salvador 2010: Hilux leads a pack of pick-ups

Videos of the streets of San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, reveal that in all likeliness the Toyota Hilux is the best selling car in the country. Salvadoreans are very fond of pick-ups: the Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Frontier are also very popular.

Other successful models in El Salvador include the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Sentra, Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Getz, Kia Picanto and Toyota Corolla.

More commentaries below.

Honduras 2010: Mitsubishi L200 possible leader

There is very little material available to estimate car sales in Honduras. My bet is on the Mitsubishi L200 to be the best-selling vehicle in Honduras in 2010, with the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Corolla also popular.

This speculation is based on the observation of recent YouTube videos of the streets of the country. Please do get in touch if you have more info about car sales in Honduras.

Mauritania: where old Mercedes go to die…

Street Scene in Nouakchott, Mauritania

Up to 2/3 of the cars in circulation in the capital Nouakchott are 1980’s Mercedes 190! This is also verified in other main Mauritanian cities and gives the country’s car traffic a very particular aspect.

As far as (the rare) new cars, the Toyota Hilux should take the lead as in many other African countries, with the Mitsubishi L200, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Prado and Corolla also successful.

More commentaries, street scenes and street videos below.

Republic of the Congo 2010: Hilux most popular

The observation of the streets of the capital Brazzaville reveal that the Toyota Hilux should hold the title of best-selling vehicle in the Republic of Congo in 2010, with the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Corolla & Hiace also very popular.

The two versions of the Toyota Land Cruiser, 70 (especially the Pick Up) and 200 can also be seen, as well as the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Toyota Prado. 90% of the dark green taxis are old gen Toyota Corollas or Hiaces, and the Toyota RAV4 first gen is swarming the streets.

Street scenes and videos below.

Benin 2010: Hilux and Prado most popular

Toyota Prado in Cotonou, Benin 2010

Relatively developed market in Benin with the Toyota Hilux and Prado in all likeliness dominating the new car sales. Other successful models include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Yaris, Mitsubishi L200 and, interestingly, the Lifan 520.

The general car landscape is very different however, with lots of Peugeots everywhere, Benin even being the reference when it comes to 1960 Peugeot 404 pick-ups, still the most common truck in the country, especially in the rural North, as shown on this interesting site. Other common models are the 1968 Peugeot 504, 1979 Peugeot 505 and 2001 Peugeot 307. Only the first gen 1994 Toyota RAV4 competes.

More street scenes and street videos with Beninese rap music below.

Togo 2010: Toyota Prado possible leader

Toyota Prado in Lome, Togo

Very little information to draw on as far as the car market in Togo is concerned. Based on only a few videos and photos of the streets of Lome, my bet is that the Toyota Prado leads the sales ranking in Togo ahead of the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200. The Nissan Frontier and Dacia Logan also seem popular.

As far as used cars are concerned, there are a lot of 1980’s Opel Kadett, old gen Corollas and Peugeots in the streets of Lome the capital.

More street scenes and street video below.

Senegal 2010: Hilux, Logan popular, Peugeot losing grip

Around 5,000 new cars are sold each year in Senegal, and the strong influence Peugeot had on the market over the years (205, 309, 405 and 406 everywhere) seems to have dwindled down to just one popular model: the Peugeot 308, which could still with a bit of luck stand within the Top 5 best sellers in Senegal.

Toyota should place the Hilux at the top of the Senegalese sales, with the Mitsubishi L200, Dacia Logan, Toyota Prado and Ford Ranger also very strong. Great Wall seems to have also had some success with the Hover.

Street scenes and street video below.