More cars are made by any single manufacturer now than at any previous point in history. Automotive manufacturing is big business, and there is a fierce competition between brands and manufacturers to establish themselves as the leading producers in the market. But which company produces the most cars?
At the moment, the title of ‘most cars produced’ is held by Volkswagen, the German multinational automotive manufacturing company. Volkswagen has consistently been one of the world’s biggest car producers since the 1930s and currently produces an impressive 11.3 million cars on average each year. This accounts for 22.7% of the entire global car production, and for the 8th consecutive year this figure has remained the same.
The Japanese company, Toyota, sits in a comfortable second place. Over the last few years, Toyota has been gradually increasing its market share, and currently produces 9.7 million cars annually. This figure is made up of 6 million passenger vehicles and 3.7 million commercial vehicles. These huge numbers are no joke and in 2020, 1 in 8 cars produced across the globe was a Toyota.
Another Japanese automotive giant, Honda, is in third place, producing 6.1 million vehicles per annum. These vehicles range from cars, pick-up trucks and SUVs, right through to small engines and components. In fourth place is the American company, Ford, which produces an impressive 5.6 million vehicles each year – an increase of 0.8 million since 2018.
The remaining manufacturers in the top ten include Hyundai from South Korea, Volkswagen from China and Nissan from Japan. Together, all manufactures accounted for a staggering 83 million car sales in 2019 – a huge 2.4% increase from the previous year.
Expert Analysis
Prof. Robert Gridley, chair of automotive engineering at the University of Midlands, believes that Volkswagen’s consistency and longevity is key to their ongoing success in the market. “Volkswagen has been one of the oldest and most established car manufacturers in the world and they have successfully managed to stay ahead of the competition by strategically targeting and investing in new markets over the years,” he explains.
Encouragingly, Prof. Gridley also praised the other leading car manufacturers and highlighted their efforts to introduce more sustainable models to the market: “Honda, Toyota, Ford and Hyundai have done exceptionally well over the past few years to meet the ever-growing demand for hybrid and electric cars. This can only be seen as a good thing for the automotive industry.”
Future Outlook
As the world begins to recover from the economic toll of COVID-19, analysts predict a huge surge in car production over the coming years. This could potentially lead to a change in the current rankings and shake up the industry in the process. As Prof. Gridley was keen to stress, it’s an exciting time for the automotive industry and there are some big changes ahead. “Change is inevitable,” he says. “The market is evolving and becoming increasingly competitive and we could very well see some new players in the market over the next few years.”
It is likely that with more options available on the market, average prices will decrease, which could lead to more people being able to purchase cars. “There’s no doubt that this could lead to a substantial increase in car sales over the next few years,” Prof. Gridley admits. “But it’s also important to remember that safety continues to be paramount, so measures must be taken to ensure that the quality of the cars remains high.”
Environmental Impact
The long-term environmental impact of these cars needs to be taken seriously. While the car producers are making strides towards more sustainable solutions, it’s only part of the equation. Prof. Gridley encourages drivers to make changes to their own driving habits too. “We must remember that each car owner can make a significant contribution to reducing emissions and improving air quality,” he explains. “Things like improving your driving style and adjusting your route to reduce the amount of time spent in traffic can go a long way towards reducing your own impact on the environment.”
It’s also important to have the right level of knowledge and make sure you fully understand the cars you’re driving. Regular maintenance checks are a must too, along with adhering to the manufacturer’s guidelines for oil changes and fuel consumption. Clear understanding of all these factors should help drivers make their own personal contribution to a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.
Economic Factors
From a purely economic viewpoint, the current wave of car production is likely to have a big impact on the automotive industry in the years to come. Prof. Gridley believes that the competitive nature of the market will only increase, particularly as there are now more and more companies introducing new models regularly. “This is likely to cause a ripple effect in the market,” he says. “Smaller companies will be forced to innovate and introduce more efficient cars, and the bigger players will have to stay ahead of the game with their own models. We could very well see an additional surge in car production over the next few years, depending on the direction of the industry.”
However, with this increased focus on innovation also comes added financial pressure for companies. “Investment in research and development and for new finances is often very costly,” Prof. Gridley warns. “But it’s absolutely necessary for any company to stay ahead of the competition in the market. Manufacturers must be prepared to make these investments if they are to remain at the forefront of the industry, and consumers will benefit from the rewards of this increased competition.”
AI and Automation
Technology is also making a huge impact on car production, with artificial intelligence (AI) and automation reshaping the entire industry. “These technologies are making it much easier and faster for companies to produce cars,” Prof. Gridley explains. “Not only are these production lines becoming more efficient and accurate, but they are also becoming safer and more reliable too. This means that cars are being able to meet safety and environmental standards, as well as being more cost-effective for consumers.”
AI and automation will continue to evolve at an incredible rate over the coming years, and are likely to revolutionize the market in the process. By reducing the amount of human labour needed in the production process, the costs of making cars could be significantly reduced, leading to much more affordable cars on the market.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done before we see these new technologies being used extensively in the global car market. While it’s certainly important to keep up with the latest advances, Prof. Gridley warns that manufacturers must also remember to maintain high standards in the quality and safety of their cars.
Consumer Trends
So what do consumers want? Well the market research suggests that the traditional aspects such as design and power are still important for a lot of car buyers. However, increasingly, people are turning their attention to the environment and sustainability as well. “More and more drivers are looking for cars that are efficient and have a low environmental impact,” Prof. Gridley explains. “Manufacturers are responding to this demand by introducing more hybrid and electric cars, which are seeing a huge surge in popularity right now. We could very well see this trend continuing in the near future.”
It’s clear that manufacturers are responding to consumer demands, and their willingness to invest in innovation and sustainability could be key to the future of the industry. It is likely that car production will continue to increase rapidly over the coming years, with newer, cleaner and more efficient models being introduced to the market.
