Top 10: Global Car Manufacturers
The global automotive industry is one of the most influential and dynamic sectors in the world. Shaping economies, mobility and innovation since the late 19th century, car manufacturing â since the introduction of mass production by Henry Ford â has evolved from basic assembly lines to highly advanced, technology-driven operations.
While the industry has come a long way since the introduction of the first combustion engines, to now investing billions in electrification, connectivity and autonomous driving technologies, the fierce competition to capture market share, drive innovation and adapt to shifting consumer needs remains unchanged.
This list of the top 10 global car manufacturers highlights the companies that are leading the industry today, reflecting their scale, financial strength and ability to shape the future of mobility.
10. Tesla
Units sold: 1.78 million
Founded: 2003
CEO: Elon Musk
In 2024, Tesla sold 1.78 million vehicles, led by the Model 3, Y and Cybertruck.
CEO Elon Musk continues to drive an aggressive EV and autonomous vehicle strategy, expanding its line-up to fully self-driving vehicles.
Tesla operates Gigafactories in the US, Germany, China and soon Mexico. These vast facilities employ giant Giga Press casting machines to reduce part counts, speeding production and lowering costs.
Tesla also develops batteries in-house, with advances in 4680 cells being scaled across plants.
9. Stellantis
Units sold: 1.96 million
Founded: 2021
CEO: Antonio Filosa
Stellantis, which sold 1.96 million units in 2024, operates over 100 plants worldwide.
As part of its âDare Forward 2030â strategy, Stellantis is focused on electrification across its brands, building a strong EV lineup and investing in autonomous driving and connectivity.
The company has been consolidating its global operations since its creation in 2021, with cost efficiency being a priority for the manufacturer under CEO Antonio Filosa.
At its manufacturing facilities, Stellantis is investing in battery gigafactories in Europe and North America, developing STLA modular EV platforms and using smart factory technologies to cut costs and boost output.
8. Ford Motor Company
Units sold: 2.08 million
Founded: 1903
CEO: Jim Farley
Ford, selling 2.08 million units in 2024, is furthering its investment in EVs while maintaining its ICE lineup.
Under the leadership of CEO Jim Farley, the manufacturer has adopted the âFord+â plan, balancing electrification with software-defined vehicle development.
Ford operates 70 plants worldwide, with major hubs in Michigan, Mexico, Germany and China. In its facilities, the company is advancing 3D printing for parts, collaborative robotics and AI-driven predictive maintenance.
Its Rouge EV Centre in Michigan exemplifies sustainable manufacturing, using renewable energy, closed-loop recycling and advanced battery assembly lines.
7. Mercedes-Benz Group
Units sold: 2.38 million
Founded: 2019
CEO: Ola KĂ€llenius
Mercedes-Benz sold 2.38 million vehicles in 2024, operating over 30 car plants worldwide, including Germany, the US and China.
The manufacturer has begun the rollout of its âNext Level Performanceâ plan dedicated to delivering the biggest product and tech campaign through 2027.
Mercedes-Benz has recently unveiled the all-electric CLA on its MMA platform and is committed to advancing its Ambition 2039 strategy for a carbon-neutral new fleet.
Mercedes-Benz has also begun integrating Microsoft Teams and AI Copilot into vehicles and is pursuing axial-flux motors for high-performance EVs.
BMW Group
Units sold: 2.45 million
Founded: 1916
CEO: Oliver Zipse
BMW sold 2.45 million cars in 2024. It is expected to debut its Neue Klasse EV platform in September 2025, which will integrate sixth-generation eDrive, advanced infotainment and circular economy design principles.
BMW operates 31 plants across 15 countries, including Germany, the US and China. At its facilities, the manufacturer is embedding recycled materials into production and planning a hydrogen rollout by 2028.
The company's manufacturing facilities are also adopting digital twins, modular EV platforms and AI-enhanced logistics in its operations.
GM
Units sold: 2.7 million
Founded: 1908
CEO: Mary Barra
GM, which sold 2.7 million units in 2024, is doubling down on its US operations, pledging US$4bn to expand ICE and EV production towards a fully electric fleet.
Currently, GM is partnering with Hyundai to co-develop vehicles for the Americas and investing heavily in advanced battery technologies.
GM has assembly and component plants in over 30 countries, with key hubs in Michigan, Mexico and China.
Renault
Units sold: 2.26 million
Founded: 1898
CEO: Luca de Meo
Renault, selling 2.26 million cars in 2024, remains focused on electric mobility and alliance synergies with Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Under the leadership of CEO Luca de Meo, the company is leading the âRenaulutionâ plan, prioritising profitability, innovation and electrification.
It is strengthening its EV leadership in Europe and is developing software-defined vehicles and expanding mobility services, while also rebalancing global operations.
Renault operates 38 manufacturing sites globally, with a strong presence in France, Spain and Morocco. In Northern France, the manufacturer is leading with âElectriCityâ, uniting three factories dedicated to mass EV production.
Renault is also rolling out circular economy practices, 3D-printing for tooling and advanced automation to improve cost efficiency and sustainability.
Hyundai
Units sold: 4.14 million
Founded: 1947
CEO: José Muñoz
Hyundai, which sold 4.14 million units globally in 2024, made its first significant shift towards a comprehensive sustainability strategy four years ago, setting its ambitions to be carbon neutral by 2045.
To meet these targets, Hyundai has ramped up its electrification and adopted both renewable energy and greener manufacturing practices.
Hyundai also struck a strategic partnership with GM to co-develop five new vehicles for the Americas, spanning ICE, hybrid and electric platforms to be rolled out from 2028.
The company operates 35 plants in 10 countries, including major hubs in South Korea, the US, China and India. Its Georgia EV facility showcases high automation, digitalised logistics and on-site battery assembly.
Hyundai is investing heavily in robotics, AI-enabled predictive maintenance and hydrogen production lines, giving it flexibility across EV, ICE and hydrogen vehicles.
Volkswagen Group
Units sold: 9.24 million
Founded: 1937
CEO: Oliver Blume
Volkswagen sold 9.24 million vehicles in 2024. In a strategic move to navigate trade tensions, the manufacturer is negotiating tariffs with Washington and pursuing investments in Audi production and a partnership with Rivian.
The manufacturer has also set a bold 10-year vision to become a global technology trailblazer backed by its substantial battery-cell investment in Europe through its Salzgitter gigafactory.
Volkswagen has 120 production plants in 19 countries, with its flagship facilities in Wolfsburg, Germany. It is advancing gigafactories for EV batteries, lightweight modular platforms and expanding automation with AI-driven robotics.
Toyota Motor Corporation
Units sold: 10.82 million
Founded: 1937
CEO: Koji Sato
Toyota leads the automotive industry with 10.82 million units sold in 2024. The company, under CEO Koji Sato, champions the mantra â a car is not a car if itâs not fun.
Not only is Toyota shifting from purely practical engineering toward emotionally engaging vehicles, it is also reshaping its manufacturing processes for nextâgeneration batteryâelectric vehicles, investing heavily in US production and redesigning factories to halve assembly steps in readiness for a new EV platform in 2026.
Toyota operates more than 60 plants worldwide, with major hubs in Japan, the US and Europe. In its facilities, Toyota is pioneering modular assembly lines, advanced robotics and digital twins to improve efficiency, as well as heavily investing in solid-state battery production and hydrogen fuel-cell technology for its next wave of vehicles.
