Toyota has once again proven its dominance in the global automotive market by not only producing the world’s best-selling car in 2024 but also claiming the top spot among bakkie manufacturers. Over the past year, Toyota has placed three of its popular pickups in the top 10, alongside Ford, which matched the feat with its own trio of heavy hitters.
Hilux Outpaces the F-150 Globally
According to a mid-year study conducted by renowned automotive analyst Felipe Munoz, the Toyota Hilux surged ahead of the Ford F-150 to become the world’s top-selling bakkie. The Hilux posted impressive sales figures of 618,200 units, compared to the F-150’s 594,100 — a testament to the Hilux’s wider international appeal, especially outside of North America where the F-150 reigns supreme.
Toyota’s success didn’t stop there. The company also secured two more positions in the global top 10 with the Tacoma, popular in the U.S., ranking eighth with 215,600 units sold, and the full-size Tundra taking ninth place at 179,400 units.
Ford Matches Toyota with Its Own Triple Threat
Not to be outdone, Ford placed three of its bakkies in the top 10 as well. The globally popular Ranger ranked fourth with 386,900 units sold, while the robust F-250 Super Duty secured the tenth position with 167,300 sales. With the F-150 still commanding a strong presence in North America, Ford continues to be a major force in the pickup market.
Outside of Toyota and Ford, General Motors made a strong showing with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in third place (418,300 units) and the GMC Sierra 1500 in sixth (267,500). Stellantis took fifth with the Ram 1500 (282,300 units), while Isuzu’s D-Max secured the seventh spot globally with 262,200 units.
South Africa Holds Steady in Global Rankings
In a separate analysis of bakkie performance in markets outside the U.S., South Africa emerged as a key player. Six global nameplates – Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara, Volkswagen Amarok, and Peugeot Landtrek – all counted South Africa among their top 10 international markets.
This performance is largely attributed to local assembly operations, with the Hilux, Ranger, and D-Max consistently dominating local sales. For the first half of 2024, these three models remain South Africa’s best-sellers, with the Hilux at number one, the Ranger at number two, and the D-Max sitting comfortably in fifth position.
With three models each in the global top 10, Toyota and Ford have reaffirmed their positions as the leading bakkie manufacturers of 2024. While Toyota edges out Ford on a global scale thanks to the Hilux’s wide appeal, Ford continues to hold a solid grip on both North American and international markets. In South Africa, the trend remains familiar, with the Hilux, Ranger, and D-Max continuing to dominate the road and the sales charts.
Related article: Why Mzansi Must Wait Longer for the Toyota Hilux Legend 55: Final Special Edition Postponed
