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It’s no secret that the last year or so has been quite a whirlwind for automotive industry sales. Between pandemic lockdowns, supply chain issues, and a wild ebb and flow of consumer demand, we could see some changes. So what is the most popular car brand in Q2 of 2021? 

a 2021 Toyota RAV4 parked in a scenic forested area
2021 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota USA

The most popular car brand in Q2 of 2021 is no surprise. It’s Toyota. Toyota’s popular models like the Corolla, Tacoma, and RAV4 lend strength to the carmaker’s unit sales numbers. 

But what of the other automakers? Who else is on the podium for America’s most popular car brand? Let’s take a look at the data so discern which manufacturers came out on top. 

The most popular brand in Q2 this year is Toyota, which is really no shocking revelation. Next in line is also not surprising. The second most popular car brand in the U.S. for Q2 of 2021 is Ford. But there actually is something surprising about this. 

Last year in Q2 of 2020, Ford had a huge lead on Toyota. For Q2 2020, Toyota sold 347,571 units according to Good Car Bad Car. Ford sold 411,035 units in Q2 2020. 

This year, in 2021, Toyota sold 573,109 units in Q2. Ford sold 448,745 units. So both of the automakers sold more units in Q2 this year than last year, but Toyota surpassed the legendary American manufacturer for the most units sold. 

2021 Honda Accord hybrid parked outside of a home
2021 Honda Accord hybrid | Honda USA

Honda sold the third most units in Q2 2021. Last year, in Q2 2020, Honda sold 266,044 units. This year, the Japanese automobile manufacturer saw a huge uptick in units sold in Q2. For Q2 2021, Honda sold 435,923 units. 

One common trend we are seeing is that sales are definitely making a recovery from the low numbers we saw last year during the pandemic lockdowns. For now, Toyota is the top-selling car brand in America. But as new vehicles like the Ford Maverick hit production and land on lots across the country, there is no telling how much these numbers will fluctuate. 

There’s a chance the most popular car brand in America for the entire year of 2021 will surprise us. It’s either Ford or Toyota’s game at this point in the fiscal year. 

What about other automakers? 

A blue 2021 Chevy Silverado races down the highway.
2021 Chevrolet Silverado | Chevrolet

There are certainly other automakers in the U.S. that are also doing well. For example, Chevrolet sold 330,381 last year in Q2 2020. This year, Chevy sold 431,583 units in Q2 2021. 

In fifth place for units sales in Q2 2021 is another Japanese carmaker, Nissan. Nissan sold 161,317 units in Q2 last year. However, this year, Nissan sold 280,283 units. That’s nearly half of what it sold last year. 

Unit sales tell a story

The 2021 Ford F-150 driving on the road by trees
2021 Ford F-150 | Ford

If we compare Q2 2020 to Q2 2021, it’s easy to see that there’s a story there. Clearly, last year there was something going on. This year, the uptick is telling tales of success. Whether or not the success will sustain is as yet unknown. However, it’s likely that the full fiscal year of 2021 will see a much larger number of unit sales per automaker than last year in 2020. 

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Section Editor - Pickup Trucks

Jordan Almond

Jordan Almond grew up Texan, hauling goosenecks and bumper pulls with her family’s dually. A former competitive equestrian, her experience driving trucks and towing horse trailers has provided a foundation for her pickup coverage and former weekly Toyota Tacoma installation. Jordan now serves as our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers Section Editor.

Jordan has a Bachelor’s in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of North Texas, and she wrote short fiction and poetry until joining MotorBiscuit in 2020. A lifelong adventurer, she can be found crafting pieces on RVs, camper vans, and overland conversions, although her library of automotive media covers a wide range of topics. Jordan credits motherhood and family life (chasing two boys) for providing her with more personal insights on new car reviews and informative pieces on consumer favorites.