World Full Year 2014: Discover all the #1 models in 177 countries

The Toyota Hilux is #1 in an estimated 45 countries in 2014 (2015 model pictured).

* See all 60 market-topping nameplates in the world by clicking on the title *

Today the new generation Toyota Hilux was unveiled simultaneously in Thailand and Australia. What better day then to recap on all the #1 best-sellers in 177 countries around the planet, a list topped once again by the Toyota Hilux in 2014 with a record-breaking estimated 45 pole positions worldwide. This list is exclusive to BSCB, you won’t find it anywhere else. To refresh your memory you can see the 2013 Report here. Note this is not a reflection of the highest worldwide sales volumes which will be the object of another report very shortly, only how many countries a specific model ranked #1 in. If no FY2014 data is available, the most recent data is used, and for about 60 countries (mostly in Africa) the #1 spot is estimated based on thorough observations of the streets of those countries via local BSCB contacts and/or recent YouTube videos.

The Toyota Corolla tops 15 countries in 2014.

Toyota places 9 different nameplates in pole position in at least one country in 2014, compared to 11 in 2013 and 10 in 2012. An astounding 81 countries in the world have a Toyota as their best-selling nameplate, nearly half of all worldwide markets. As it has now been the case for over a decade, the Toyota Hilux is by far the most popular nameplate in the world in terms of countries where it ranks #1: an incredible 45 this year compared to 35 in 2013 and 31 in 2012. However 27 out of these 45 countries are in Africa where the volumes are still extremely low. Most significantly, as African data becomes more readily available, we now have a total of 19 countries where the Hilux is confirmed #1 with official data vs. only 8 last year – notable additions are Botswana, El Salvador, Fiji, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Uganda and Vanuatu.

Most improved: the Skoda Octavia at 10 pole positions.

Like in 2013, the Toyota Corolla comes in second place gaining one country to 16, including 9 confirmed (vs. 4 in 2013). It is followed by the VW Golf losing one country to 12, all in Europe and including 11 confirmed. This is a milestone as up until 2013 the VW Golf had the most officially confirmed #1 countries (10 vs. 8 for the Hilux) but this year the Hilux is ahead (19). The ‘most improved’ award for 2014 goes to the Skoda Octavia landing in 4the place overall with 9 countries (all confirmed – as many as the VW Golf), whereas it only topped 5 in 2013. The Toyota Land Cruiser adds two to 8, and the Dacia Logan, Ford Ranger and Toyota Prado all manage four pole positions each – although the Logan has them all confirmed but the Ranger just two and the Prado only one of them.

The Dongfeng Rich (2015 model pictured) is one of two Chinese nameplates to officially top an overseas market in 2014.

We welcome a dozen new nameplates in the list of worldwide top rankers, most notably the Peugeot Pars/405 jumping to #1 in Iran despite its valiant 27 years of activity, the Daihatsu Tanto outselling the Toyota Aqua to claim the #1 spot in Japan, the Chevrolet D-Max snapping up the Egyptian pole position and its Isuzu twin the KB doing the same in both Swaziland and Zimbabwe, the Mini reclaiming the Monaco throne it last held in 2012, the Fiat Palio crowned for the very first time in Brazil, the Nissan Qashqai in Cyprus, Suzuki Super Carry in Myanmar, Suzuki Celerio in Uruguay, Seat Leon at home in Spain in a change of guard with the smaller Ibiza and, last but not least, the Dongfeng Rich and Chery QQ becoming the only two Chinese nameplates to officially top an overseas market in 2014: Venezuela and Laos respectively. The other two are unofficial: the Geely CK in Cuba and the Hawtai Lusheng E70 in North Korea.

Previous year: World Full Year 2013: Discover the #1 models in 160 countries

Two years ago: World Full Year 2012: All the #1 in 170 countries

See below for the Full Year 2014 list of 60 top ranking models and where they are #1.