List of best-selling automobiles
Class bestsellers
Table:
Class	Automobile	Production	Units Sold

All-electric car	Nissan Leaf	2010-present	380,000 by December 2018

Full-size car	Chevrolet Impala	1958-1985 1994-1996 2000-present	Over 13,000,000 between its introduction and 1996

Hybrid electric vehicle	Toyota Prius	1997-present	Almost 4,000,000 in four generations up to January 2017 . Combined sales of the Prius family nameplate totaled over 6,000,000 units in January 2017

Hydrogen fuel cell car	Toyota Mirai	2015-present	2,840 units by mid-February 2017 in Japan , the United States , some European markets and the United Arab Emirates

Pickup truck	Ford F-Series	1948-present	Over 34,000,000 America 's bestselling vehicle for 28 consecutive years ; 33,900,000 in 12 generations to May 2010

Plug-in hybrid	Chevrolet Volt	2010-present	134,500 in December 2016

Full-size luxury car	Cadillac De Ville	1959-2005	Approximately 3,870,000 excluding early Series 62 hardtops , 1981-1988 , 1991-93 , and 2000-05 . ( Total production for 1981-1988 , 1991-93 and 2000-05 is unknown but a good guess is over 1,300,000 . )

Racing car	Porsche 911 GT3 Cup	1998-	1,400 up to 2011

Formula racing car	Tatuus FR2000	2000-2007	Approximately 930 chassis

Rotary engined car	Mazda RX-7	1978-2002	811,634 in three generations to 2005

Single-cylinder car	Iso/BMW/VELAM/Romi Isetta	1953-61	161,728 in all variations

Four-seat sports car ( Pony car )	Ford Mustang	1964-present	10,000,000 in six generations up to 2018

Two-seat coupe Sports car	Nissan Z-cars	1969-99 2003-present	1,535,000 in five generations up to 2005

Two-seat convertible sports car	Mazda MX-5	1989-present	Over 940,000 in the first two generations to June 2014

Van	Volkswagen Type 2 ( Transporter )	1950-present	Over 12,000,000 in six generations to August 2015

By analysing the tabular data plus the passages provided.

Give the answer to the question: What are the units sold of the automobile that is known officially as the Transporter ? Output only the correct answer as {"answer": "YOUR ANSWER"}. Do not introduce information beyond the provided sources.

An electric car is an automobile that is propelled by one or more electric motors , using energy stored in rechargeable batteries . The first practical electric cars were produced in the 1880s . Electric cars were popular in the late 19th century and early 20th century , until advances in internal combustion engines , electric starters in particular , and mass production of cheaper gasoline vehicles led to a decline in the use of electric drive vehicles . From 2008 , a renaissance in electric vehicle manufacturing occurred due to advances in batteries , and the desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve urban air quality . Several national and local governments have established government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles , tax credits , subsidies , and other incentives to promote the introduction and adoption in the mass market of new electric vehicles , often depending on battery size , their electric range and purchase price . The current maximum tax credit allowed by the US Government is US $ 7,500 per car . Compared with internal combustion engine cars , electric cars are quieter , and have no tailpipe emissions and lower emissions in general . In January 2019 and updated in April , a Reuters analysis of 29 global automakers concluded that automakers are planning on spending $ 300 billion over the next 5 to 10 years on electric cars , with 45% of that investment projected to occur in China . Charging an electric car can be done at a variety of charging stations , these charging stations can be installed in both houses and public areas . The Tesla Model 3 was the world 's best selling EV from 2018 to 2019 and had a maximum electric range of 500 km ( 310 miles ) according to the EPA . As of December 2018 [ update ] , there were about 5.3 million light-duty all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in use around the world . Despite the rapid growth experienced , the global stock of plug-in electric cars represented just about 1 out of every 250 vehicles ( 0.40% ) on the world 's roads by the end of 2018 .
The Nissan Leaf ( Japanese : 日産・リーフ , Nissan Rīfu ) , stylised by manufacturer Nissan as LEAF , is a compact five-door hatchback battery electric vehicle , introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010 , and now in its second generation . Its range on a full charge is 243 km ( 151 miles ) . Among other awards and recognition , the Leaf has won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award , the 2011 European Car of the Year , the 2011 World Car of the Year , and the 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan . Global sales totaled over 400,000 Leafs by March 2019 . The United States is its largest market , with 126,747 sold through October 2018 ; followed by Japan with 100,000 units by April 2018 ; and Europe with 100,000 by June 2018 . The European market was led by Norway with 33,156 new units registered by the end of October 2018 . Nissan Leaf was top selling BEV until December 2019 when Tesla Model 3 delivered worldwide total of 448,634 through December 2019 topping off the Nissan Leaf deliveries in the decade .
Full-size car - also known as large car is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars . It is the largest size class for cars . After World War II , the majority of full-size cars have used the sedan and station wagon body styles , however in recent years most full-size cars have been sedans . The highest-selling full-size car nameplate is the Chevrolet Impala , sold as a full-size car from 1958 to 1986 , 1994 to 1996 , and since 2000 .
The Chevrolet Impala ( /ɪmˈpælə , -ˈpɑːlə/ ) is a full-size car built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985 , 1994 to 1996 , and 2000 onward . The Impala is Chevrolet 's popular flagship passenger car and is generally among the better selling American made automobiles in the United States . For its debut in 1958 , the Impala was distinguished from other models by its symmetrical triple taillights . The Chevrolet Caprice was introduced as a top-line Impala Sport Sedan for model year 1965 , later becoming a separate series positioned above the Impala in 1966 , which , in turn , remained above the Chevrolet Bel Air and the Chevrolet Biscayne . The Impala continued as Chevrolet 's most popular full-size model through the mid-1980s . Between 1994 and 1996 , the Impala was revised as a 5.7-liter V8-powered version of the Chevrolet Caprice Classic sedan . In 2000 , the Impala was reintroduced again as a mainstream front-wheel drive car . As of February 2014 , the 2014 Impala ranked # 1 among Affordable Large Cars in U.S. News & World Report 's rankings . When the tenth generation of the Impala was introduced for the 2014 model year , the ninth generation was rebadged as the Impala Limited and sold only to fleet customers through 2016 . During that time both versions were sold in the United States and Canada . The current-generation Impala is also sold in the Middle East , China , and South Korea .
A hybrid electric vehicle ( HEV ) is a type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine ( ICE ) system with an electric propulsion system ( hybrid vehicle drivetrain ) . The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle or better performance . There is a variety of HEV types , and the degree to which each functions as an electric vehicle ( EV ) also varies . The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car , although hybrid electric trucks ( pickups and tractors ) and buses also exist . Modern HEVs make use of efficiency-improving technologies such as regenerative brakes which convert the vehicle 's kinetic energy to electric energy , which is stored in a battery or supercapacitor . Some varieties of HEV use an internal combustion engine to turn an electrical generator , which either recharges the vehicle 's batteries or directly powers its electric drive motors ; this combination is known as a motor-generator . Many HEVs reduce idle emissions by shutting down the engine at idle and restarting it when needed ; this is known as a start-stop system . A hybrid-electric produces less tailpipe emissions than a comparably sized gasoline car , since the hybrid 's gasoline engine is usually smaller than that of a gasoline-powered vehicle . If the engine is not used to drive the car directly , it can be geared to run at maximum efficiency , further improving fuel economy . Ferdinand Porsche developed the Lohner-Porsche in 1901 . But hybrid electric vehicles did not become widely available until the release of the Toyota Prius in Japan in 1997 , followed by the Honda Insight in 1999 . Initially , hybrid seemed unnecessary due to the low cost of gasoline .
The Toyota Prius ( /ˈpriːəs/ ; Japanese : トヨタ プリウス Toyota Puriusu ) is a full hybrid electric automobile developed and manufactured by Toyota since 1997 . Initially offered as a 4-door sedan , it has been produced only as a 4-door liftback since 2003 . In 2007 , the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and California Air Resources Board ( CARB ) rated the Prius as among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States , based on smog-forming emissions . The 2018 model year Prius Eco ranks as the second most fuel efficient gasoline-powered car available in the US without plug-in capability , following the Hyundai Ioniq Blue . The Prius first went on sale in Japan and other countries in 1997 , and was available at all four Toyota Japan dealership chains , making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle . It was subsequently introduced worldwide in 2000 . The Prius is sold in over 90 markets , with Japan and the United States being its largest markets . Global cumulative Prius liftback sales reached the milestone 1 million vehicle mark in May 2008 , 2 million in September 2010 , and passed the 3 million mark in June 2013 . Cumulative sales of one million were achieved in the U.S. by early April 2011 , and Japan reached the 1 million mark in August 2011 . As of January 2017 [ update ] , the Prius liftback was the world 's top selling hybrid car with almost 4 million units sold . In 2011 , Toyota expanded the Prius family to include the Prius v , an extended hatchback , and the Prius c , a subcompact hatchback . The production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid was released in 2012 .
The Toyota Prius ( /ˈpriːəs/ ; Japanese : トヨタ プリウス Toyota Puriusu ) is a full hybrid electric automobile developed and manufactured by Toyota since 1997 . Initially offered as a 4-door sedan , it has been produced only as a 4-door liftback since 2003 . In 2007 , the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and California Air Resources Board ( CARB ) rated the Prius as among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States , based on smog-forming emissions . The 2018 model year Prius Eco ranks as the second most fuel efficient gasoline-powered car available in the US without plug-in capability , following the Hyundai Ioniq Blue . The Prius first went on sale in Japan and other countries in 1997 , and was available at all four Toyota Japan dealership chains , making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle . It was subsequently introduced worldwide in 2000 . The Prius is sold in over 90 markets , with Japan and the United States being its largest markets . Global cumulative Prius liftback sales reached the milestone 1 million vehicle mark in May 2008 , 2 million in September 2010 , and passed the 3 million mark in June 2013 . Cumulative sales of one million were achieved in the U.S. by early April 2011 , and Japan reached the 1 million mark in August 2011 . As of January 2017 [ update ] , the Prius liftback was the world 's top selling hybrid car with almost 4 million units sold . In 2011 , Toyota expanded the Prius family to include the Prius v , an extended hatchback , and the Prius c , a subcompact hatchback . The production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid was released in 2012 .
A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel for motive power . Hydrogen vehicles include hydrogen-fueled space rockets , as well as automobiles and other transportation vehicles . The power plants of such vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine , or , more commonly , by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors . Widespread use of hydrogen for fueling transportation is a key element of a proposed hydrogen economy . As of 2019 [ update ] , there are three models of hydrogen cars publicly available in select markets : the Toyota Mirai , the Hyundai Nexo , and the Honda Clarity . Several other companies are working to develop hydrogen cars . As of 2019 , 98% of hydrogen is produced by steam methane reforming , which emits carbon dioxide . It can be produced by thermochemical or pyrolytic means using renewable feedstocks , but that is an expensive process . Various technologies are being developed that aim to deliver costs low enough , and quantities great enough , to compete with hydrogen production using natural gas . The drawbacks of hydrogen use are high carbon emissions intensity when produced from natural gas , capital cost burden , low energy content per unit volume at ambient conditions , production and compression of hydrogen , the investment required in filling stations to dispense hydrogen , transportation of hydrogen to filling stations and lack of ability to produce or dispense hydrogen at home .
A fuel cell vehicle ( FCV ) or fuel cell electric vehicle ( FCEV ) is a type of electric vehicle which uses a fuel cell , instead of a battery , or in combination with a battery or supercapacitor , to power its on-board electric motor . Fuel cells in vehicles generate electricity to power the motor , generally using oxygen from the air and compressed hydrogen . Most fuel cell vehicles are classified as zero-emissions vehicles that emit only water and heat . As compared with internal combustion vehicles , hydrogen vehicles centralize pollutants at the site of the hydrogen production , where hydrogen is typically derived from reformed natural gas . Transporting and storing hydrogen may also create pollutants . Fuel cells have been used in various kinds of vehicles including forklifts , especially in indoor applications where their clean emissions are important to air quality , and in space applications . The first commercially produced hydrogen fuel cell automobile , the Hyundai Tucson FCEV , was introduced in 2013 , Toyota Mirai followed in 2015 and then Honda entered the market . Fuel cells are being developed and tested in trucks , buses , boats , motorcycles and bicycles , among other kinds of vehicles . As of 2017 , there was limited hydrogen infrastructure , with 36 hydrogen fueling stations for automobiles publicly available in the U.S. , but more hydrogen stations are planned , particularly in California , where , as of 2019 , according to Hydrogen View , there have been over 7,500 FCEVs sold or leased . Critics doubt whether hydrogen will be efficient or cost-effective for automobiles , as compared with other zero emission technologies , and in 2019 , USA Today stated what is tough to dispute is that the hydrogen fuel cell dream is all but dead for the passenger vehicle market .
The Toyota Mirai ( from Mirai ( 未来 ) , Japanese for future ) is a mid-size hydrogen fuel cell car manufactured by Toyota , one of the first such sedan-like vehicles to be sold commercially . The Mirai was unveiled at the November 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show . As of December 2017 [ update ] , global sales totalled 5,300 Mirais . The top-selling markets were the U.S. with 2,900 units , Japan with 2,100 and Europe with 200 . Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) cycle , the 2016 model year Mirai has a total range of 502 km ( 312 mi ) on a full tank , with a combined city/highway fuel economy rating of 66 mpg - US ( 3.6 L/100 km ; 79 mpg - imp ) equivalent ( MPG-equivalent ) , making the Mirai the most fuel-efficient hydrogen fuel cell vehicle rated by the EPA , and the one with the longest range . Sales in Japan began on 15 December 2014 at ¥6.7 million ( ~US $ 57,400 ) at Toyota Store and Toyopet Store locations . The Japanese government plans to support the commercialization of fuel-cell vehicles with a subsidy of ¥2 million ( ~US $ 19,600 ) . Retail sales in the U.S. began in August 2015 at a price of US $ 57,500 before any government incentives . Deliveries to retail customers began in California in October 2015 . Toyota scheduled to release the Mirai in the Northeastern States in the first half of 2016 . As of June 2016 [ update ] , the Mirai is available for retail sales in the UK , Denmark , Germany , Belgium , and Norway . Pricing in Germany starts at €60,000 ( ~US $ 75,140 ) plus VAT ( €78,540 ) .
A pickup truck or pickup is a light-duty truck having an enclosed cab and an open cargo area with low sides and tailgate . In Australia and New Zealand , both pickups and coupé utilities are called utes , short for utility vehicle . In South Africa , people of all language groups use the term bakkie , a diminutive of bak , Afrikaans for bowl or container . Once a work tool with few creature comforts , in the 1950s consumers began purchasing pickups for lifestyle reasons , and by the 1990s , less than 15% of owners reported use in work as the pickup truck 's primary purpose . Today in North America , the pickup is mostly used as a passenger car and accounts for about 18% of total vehicles sold in the United States . Full-sized pickups and SUVs are an important source of revenue for GM , Ford , and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles , accounting for more than two-thirds of their global pretax earnings , though the vehicles make up just 16% of North American vehicle production . The vehicles have a high profit margin and a high price , with 40% of Ford F-150s selling for US $ 40,000 or more . The term pickup is of unknown origin . It was used by Studebaker in 1913 and by the 1930s , pick-up ( hyphenated ) had become the standard term .
The Ford F-Series is a series of trucks marketed and manufactured by Ford . In production since 1948 , the F-Series is a range of light trucks marketed as full-size pickup trucks , slotted above the compact Ford Ranger in the Ford truck model range . Since 1999 , the F-Series also includes the heavier-duty Super Duty series , which includes pickup trucks , chassis cab trucks , and medium-duty trucks . As of current production , the Ford F-Series includes the F-150 pickup , F-250 through F-450 Super Duty pickups , F-450/550 Super Duty chassis cabs , and F-650/750 Super Duty Class 6-8 trucks . The most popular version of the F-Series is the F-150 , now in its thirteenth generation . The best-selling pickup truck in the United States since 1977 ( the highest-selling vehicle overall since 1981 ) ; the F-Series is also the best-selling vehicle in Canada . As of the 2018 model year , the F-Series generated $ 41 billion in annual revenue for Ford . At various times , Ford has marketed the F-Series across all three of its divisions in North America . From 1948 to 1968 , Mercury marketed the F-Series as the M-Series ( in Canada ) ; during the 2000s , Lincoln sold the F-150 as the Blackwood and the later Mark LT. As of current production , the Ford F-Series is manufactured by Ford in four facilities in the United States .
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle ( PHEV ) is a hybrid electric vehicle whose battery can be recharged by plugging it into an external source of electric power , as well as by its on-board engine and generator . Most PHEVs are passenger cars , but there are also PHEV versions of commercial vehicles and vans , utility trucks , buses , trains , motorcycles , scooters , and military vehicles . Similarly to all-electric vehicles , plug-in hybrids displace emissions from the car tailpipe to the generators powering the electricity grid . These generators may be renewable , or may have lower emission than an internal combustion engine . Charging the battery from the grid can cost less than using the on-board engine , helping to reduce operating cost . Mass-produced plug-in hybrids were available to the public in China and the United States in 2010 . By the end of 2017 , there were over 40 models of series-production highway legal plug-in hybrids for retail sales . Plug-in hybrid cars are available mainly in the United States , Canada , Western Europe , Japan , and China . The top-selling models are the Mitsubishi Outlander P-HEV , the Chevrolet Volt family , and the Toyota Prius PHV . As of December 2018 [ update ] , the global stock of plug-in hybrid cars totaled 1.8 million units , out of 5.1 million plug-in electric passenger cars on the world roads at the end of 2018 . As of December 2017 [ update ] , the United States ranked as the world 's largest plug-in hybrid car market with a stock of 360,510 units , followed by China with 276,580 vehicles , and Japan with 100,860 units .
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid car manufactured by General Motors , also marketed in rebadged variants as the Holden Volt in Australia and New Zealand , Buick Velite 5 in China , and with a different fascia as the Vauxhall Ampera in the United Kingdom and as the Opel Ampera in the remainder of Europe . Volt production ended in February 2019 . Sales of the 2011 Volt began in the United States in mid-December 2010 , followed by various European countries and other international markets in 2011 . Global combined Volt/Ampera-family sales totaled about 177,000 units by the end of October 2018 . The U.S. is the leading market , with 152,144 Volts delivered through the end of 2018 , followed by Canada with 16,653 Volts sold through September 2018 . Just over 10,000 Opel/Vauxhall Ampera cars had been sold in Europe as of June 2016 [ update ] , with the Netherlands leading the European region . As of September 2018 [ update ] , the Volt/Ampera family of vehicles is the world 's all-time best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle , and the Volt is also the U.S. all-time top-selling plug-in electric car . The Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until its battery capacity drops to a predetermined threshold from full charge . From there , its internal combustion engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle 's range as needed . When the engine is running it may be periodically mechanically linked ( by a clutch ) to a planetary gear set , and hence the output drive axle , to improve energy efficiency . The Volt 's regenerative braking also contributes to the on-board electricity generation . Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) cycle , the 2013/15 model year Volt all-electric range is 38 mi ( 61 km ) , with a combined electric mode/gasoline-only rating of 62 mpg - US ( 3.8 L/100 km ; 74 mpg - imp ) equivalent ( MPG-equivalent ) .
A luxury vehicle is intended to provide the driver and passengers with increased comfort , a higher level of equipment and increased perception of quality than regular cars ( such as economy cars , which are intended as basic low-cost transportation devices ) for an increased price . The term is subjective and can be based on either the qualities of the car itself or the brand image of its manufacturer . Luxury brands are considered to have a higher status than premium brands , however , there is no fixed differentiation between the two . Traditionally , luxury cars have been large vehicles , however , contemporary luxury cars range in size from compact hatchbacks to large sedans and SUVs .
The Cadillac DeVille was originally a trim level and later a separate model produced by Cadillac . The first car to bear the name was the 1949 Coupe de Ville , a pillarless two-door hardtop body style with a prestige trim level above that of the Series 62 luxury coupe . The last model to be formally known as a DeVille was the 2005 Cadillac DeVille , a full-size sedan , the largest car in the Cadillac model range at the time . The next year , the DeVille was officially renamed the Cadillac DTS .
The Cadillac Series 62 is a series of cars which was produced by Cadillac from 1940 through 1964 . Originally designed to replace the entry level Series 65 , it became the Cadillac Series 6200 in 1959 , and remained that until it was renamed to Cadillac Calais for the 1965 model year . The Series 62 was also marketed as the Sixty-Two and the Series Sixty-Two .
A hardtop is a rigid form of automobile roof , which for modern cars is typically constructed from metal . A hardtop roof can be either fixed ( i.e . not removable ) , detachable for separate storing or retractable within the vehicle itself . Pillarless hardtop ( often referred to as simply hardtop ) is a body style of cars without a B-pillar , which are often styled to give the appearance of a convertible .
Auto racing ( also known as car racing , motor racing , or automobile racing ) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition . Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile . Races of various sorts were organised , with the first recorded as early as 1867 . Many of the earliest events were effectively reliability trials , aimed at proving these new machines were a practical mode of transport , but soon became an important way for competing makers to demonstrate their machines . By the 1930s , specialist racing cars had developed . There are now numerous different categories , each with different rules and regulations .
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high performance homologation model of the Porsche 911 sports car . It is a line of high-performance models , which began with the 1973 911 Carrera RS . The GT3 , introduced in 1999 , is named after the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile ( FIA ) Group GT3 class , in which its racing counterpart was designed to compete . The GT3 has had a successful racing career in the one-make national and regional Porsche Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge series , as well as the international Porsche Supercup supporting the FIA Formula 1 World Championship .
An open-wheel car ( formula car , or often single-seater car in British English ) is a car with the wheels outside the car 's main body , and usually having only one seat . Open-wheel cars contrast with street cars , sports cars , stock cars , and touring cars , which have their wheels below the body or inside fenders . Open-wheel cars are usually built specifically for road racing , frequently with a higher degree of technological sophistication than in other forms of motor sport . Open-wheel street cars , such as the Ariel Atom , are very scarce as they are often impractical for everyday use .
Formula Renault is two classes of formula racing popular in Europe and elsewhere . Regarded as an entry-level series to motor racing , it was first founded in 1971 , and is a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to higher formulas .
The rotary engine was an early type of internal combustion engine , usually designed with an odd number of cylinders per row in a radial configuration , in which the crankshaft remained stationary in operation , with the entire crankcase and its attached cylinders rotating around it as a unit . Its main application was in aviation , although it also saw use before its primary aviation role , in a few early motorcycles and automobiles . This type of engine was widely used as an alternative to conventional inline engines ( straight or V ) during World War I and the years immediately preceding that conflict . It has been described as a very efficient solution to the problems of power output , weight , and reliability . By the early 1920s , the inherent limitations of this type of engine had rendered it obsolete .
The Mazda RX-7 is a front/mid-engine , rear-wheel-drive , rotary engine-powered sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1978 to 2002 across three generations , all of which made use of a compact , lightweight Wankel rotary engine . The first generation of the RX-7 , SA and FB , was a two-seater coupé . It featured a 12A carbureted rotary engine as well as the option for a 13B with electronic fuel injection in later years . The second generation of RX-7 , known as the FC , was offered as a 2-seater coupé with a 2+2 option available in some markets , as well as in a convertible bodystyle . This was powered by the 13B rotary engine , offered in naturally aspirated or turbocharged forms . The third generation of the RX-7 , known as the FD , was also a 2-seater coupé . This featured a sequentially turbocharged 13B REW engine . This also featured the 2+2 seating option in some markets . The RX-7 made Car and Driver magazine 's Ten Best list five times . More than 800,000 were manufactured over its lifetime .
Microcar is a term often used for the smallest size of cars , with three or four wheels and often an engine smaller than 700 cc ( 43 cu in ) . Specific types of microcars include bubble cars , cycle cars , quadricycles and voiturettes , and the Japanese equivalent is the kei car . Microcars are often covered by separate regulations to normal cars , having relaxed requirements for registration and licensing . Most microcars are powered by petrol or diesel engines , however electric-powered microcars have become more common in recent years .
The Isetta is an Italian-designed microcar built under license in a number of different countries , including Argentina , Spain , Belgium , France , Brazil , Germany , and the United Kingdom . Because of its egg shape and bubble-like windows , it became known as a bubble car , a name also given to other similar vehicles . In 1955 , the BMW Isetta became the world 's first mass-production car to achieve a fuel consumption of 3 L/100 km ( 94 mpg - imp ; 78 mpg - US ) . [ a ] It was the top-selling single-cylinder car in the world , with 161,728 units sold . Initially manufactured by the Italian firm Iso SpA , the name Isetta is the Italian diminutive form of Iso , meaning little Iso .
A sports car is designed to emphasise handling , performance or thrill of driving . Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1900s and are currently produced by many manufacturers around the world .
Pony car is an American car classification for affordable , compact , highly styled coupés or convertibles with a sporty or performance-oriented image . Common characteristics include rear-wheel drive , a long hood , a short decklid , a wide range of options to individualize each car and use of mass-produced parts shared with other models . The popularity of pony cars is largely due to the launch of the Ford Mustang in 1964 . Currently produced pony cars are the Mustang , Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger .
The Ford Mustang is an American car manufactured by Ford . It was originally conceived by Lee Iacocca . The Mustang debuted in 1964 with a price of $ 2,368 , with estimated annual sales of 100,000 . First year sales were over 400,000 units and one million within two years . The Mustang created the pony car class of American muscle cars , distinguished as affordable sporty coupes with long hoods and short rear decks , and gave rise to competitors such as the Chevrolet Camaro , Pontiac Firebird , AMC Javelin , Chrysler 's revamped Plymouth Barracuda , and the second generation Dodge Challenger . The Mustang is also credited for inspiring the designs of coupés such as the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri , which were imported to the United States . It was originally based on the platform of the second generation North American Ford Falcon , a compact car . The original 1962 Ford Mustang I two-seater concept car had evolved into the 1963 Mustang II four-seater concept car which Ford used to pretest how the public would take interest in the first production Mustang . The 1963 Mustang II concept car was designed with a variation of the production model 's front and rear ends with a roof that was 2.7 inches shorter . Introduced early on April 17 , 1964 ( 16 days after the Plymouth Barracuda ) , and thus dubbed as a 1964½ by Mustang fans , the 1965 Mustang was the automaker 's most successful launch since the Model A . The Mustang has undergone several transformations to its current sixth generation . The Ford Mustang began production five months before the normal start of the 1965 production year .
The Nissan Z-car is a sports car which has been manufactured by Nissan Motors Ltd , in six generations , since 1969 . The original Z was sold from October 1969 in Japan , as the Nissan Fairlady Z , at Nissan Exhibition dealerships that previously sold the Nissan Bluebird . It was exported as the Datsun 240Z . Since 2009 , Nissan has manufactured the newest Z , the Nissan 370Z . The earlier models of the Nissan Z were built at the Nissan Shatai plant in Hiratsuka until 2000 , while the later models ( 350Z and 370Z ) are built at Oppama ( 2002-2004 ) and Tochigi ( 2004-present ) . Enthusiasts praise the cars for their looks , reliability , performance , and affordability . Every Z car has been sold in Japan as the Fairlady Z and elsewhere under the names Nissan S30 , Nissan S130 , Nissan 300ZX , Nissan 350Z and Nissan 370Z .
A convertible , cabriolet or spyder/spider ( /ˌkæbrioʊˈleɪ/ ) is a passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof in place . The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary between models . A convertible allows an open-air driving experience , with the ability to provide a roof when required . Potential drawbacks of convertibles are reduced structural rigidity ( requiring significant engineering and modification to counteract the effects of removing a car 's roof ) and cargo space . The majority of convertible roofs are a folding construction made from cloth . Other types of convertible roofs include retractable hardtops ( often constructed from metal or plastic ) and detachable hardtops ( where a metal or plastic roof is manually removed and often stored in the trunk ) .
The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-passenger roadster manufactured and marketed by Mazda with a front mid-engine , rear-wheel-drive layout . The convertible is marketed as the Mazda Roadster ( マツダ・ロードスター , Matsuda Rōdosutā ) or Eunos Roadster ( ユーノス・ロードスター , Yūnosu Rōdosutā ) in Japan , and as the Mazda MX-5 Miata ( /miˈɑːtə/ ) in North America , where it is widely known as the Miata . Manufactured at Mazda 's Hiroshima plant , the MX-5 debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show and was conceived and executed under a tightly focused design credo , Jinba ittai ( 人馬一体 ) , meaning oneness of horse and rider . Widely noted for its small , light , technologically modern , dynamically balanced and minimally complex design , the MX-5 is the spiritual successor to 1950s and '60s Italian and British sports cars , prominently the Lotus Elan . Generations were internally designated with a two-letter code , beginning with the first generation , the NA . The second generation , ( NB ) , launched in 1998 for MY 1999 ; followed by the third generation ( NC ) in 2005 for MY 2006 , and the fourth generation ( ND ) in 2015 for MY 2016 ( along with ND2 being the designation for MY 2019 ) . As the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history , the MX-5 has been marketed globally , with production exceeding one million , as of early 2016 . The name miata derives from Old High German for reward . [ N 1 ]
The Volkswagen Type 2 , known officially ( depending on body type ) as the Transporter , Kombi or Microbus , or , informally , as the Bus ( US ) or Camper ( UK ) , Pão de Forma ( Loaf of Bread ) ( Portugal ) is a forward control light commercial vehicle introduced in 1950 by the German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model . Following - and initially deriving from - Volkswagen 's first model , the Type 1 ( Beetle ) , it was given the factory designation Type 2 . As one of the forerunners of the modern cargo and passenger vans , the Type 2 gave rise to forward control competitors in the United States in the 1960s , including the Ford Econoline , the Dodge A100 , and the Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan , the latter adapting the rear-engine configuration of the Corvair car in the same manner in which the VW Type 2 adapted the Type 1 layout . European competition included the 1947-1981 Citroën H Van , the 1959-1980 Renault Estafette ( both FF layout ) , and the 1953-1965 FR layout Ford Transit . Japanese manufacturers also introduced similar vehicles , such as the Nissan Caravan , Toyota LiteAce and Subaru Sambar . Like the Beetle , the van has received numerous nicknames worldwide , including the microbus , minibus , and , because of its popularity during the counterculture movement of the 1960s , Hippie van/bus has become its most popular . Brazil contained the last factory in the world that produced the T2 series of Type 2 , which ceased production on 31 December 2013 , due to the introduction of more stringent safety regulations in the country . This ( after the 2002 termination of its T3 successor in South Africa ) marked the end of the era of rear-engine Volkswagens , which originated in 1935 with their Type 1 prototypes .