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Polk Claims Focus Is World's Best Selling Auto Namplate; Toyota Disagrees

Ford claimed three spots in the top ten

The R.L. Polk & Co. has completed its annual survey of the top selling automotive nameplates. For 2012, FordFordUnited Kingdom, 1909 > present33 models
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5 videos
led the list and scored not only the bestselling car world wide, the FocusFord Focus Gen.3 [III]United States of America, 2012 > present10 versions
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, but also had the most cars on the list.

There is some controversy as there is nearly every year. Polk only tallies its worldwide results based on nameplates, but ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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10 videos
claims that the CorollaToyota Corolla Gen.10Japan, 2006 > 201334 versions
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is sold in different variants around the world, which are mechanically identical but with different bodies. Those cars would add 300,000 sales to the Corolla and make it the world's bestselling model.

HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
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10 videos
has the second-highest number of cars in the top ten with two. The CivicHonda Civic Gen.9Japan, 2011 > present85 versions
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and CR-VHonda CR-V Gen.4Japan, 2012 > present34 versions
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took the ninth and tenth spots in terms of the bestselling cars of the world. Both of them have just received new generations.

The most surprising vehicle on the list is the Wuling Zhiguang that sold 768,870 units last year, more than more recognizable cars like the Volkswagen GolfVolkswagen Volkswagen Golf Gen.7 [VII]Germany, 2012 > present363 versions
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and Honda Civic. The Zhiguang is made in China and sold there. Wuling's joint venture with SIACShanghaiChina, 1958 > 19792 models
and General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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allows it to sell the Zhiguang in South America, the Middle East and North Africa as a GM model.

1. Ford Focus

Polk reported Ford selling 1,020,410 worldwide last year. Part of that is due to a 50% increase in sales in China. It is also a popular model in the United States and Europe.

2. Toyota Corolla

Toyota disputes that the Corolla should be second on the list. It sold 872,774 units, but Toyota says that the Matrix and other Corolla variants, which are the same car but with different bodies, should be counted among those sales. It would add around 300,000 extra sales.

3. Ford F-150

The F-150 is a perennial entry on the top-sellers list. Ford sold 785,630 units of its main pickup truck. The high profit margins on pickups are a major factor in Ford's profitability in the US.

4. Wuling Zhiguang

You have probably never heard of Chinese automaker Wuling or its Zhiguang van, but it is the country's best selling vehicle. It shows the growing power of the Chinese market that a car that is not sold in North America or Europe can move 768,870 units in a year.

5. Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is regularly North America's bestselling sedan and occasionally its best selling vehicle overall. Toyota moved 729,793 of them in 2012, partially thanks to a brand new generation.

6. Ford Fiesta

The Fiesta is getting a new, wider grill for 2013 to make it match the frontend style of the Focus and Fusion/Mondeo. Ford sold 723,130 of them last year worldwide.

7. Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf sold 699,148 units last year, which is impressive when you consider that the seventh generation is not even on sale in North America yet.

8. Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze is another example that smaller cars are growing in popularity. Instead of opting for a larger sedan, more buyers are taking a smaller car to fit their needs. Chevy sold 661,325 Cruzes worldwide last year.

9. Honda Civic

The Civic has just received an emergency makeover for its US version after the original ninth generation received dreadful reviews for its build quality from the US auto media. Buyers did not seem to care, and Honda moved 651,159 cars worldwide.

10. Honda CR-V LX

Honda takes a second spot in the list with its new generation CR-V compact crossover. The fourth generation got new styling and grew slightly, and it appears to be a brisk seller. Buyers purchased 624,982 of them worldwide in 2012.