U.S. Auto Market Share by Manufacturer

Mfgr	1970	1980	1990	2000	2010	2016	2020
GM	39	44	35	28	19	17	19
Ford	28	20	24	23	16	15	15
Toyota	2	6	8	9	15	14	16
FCA	15	9	12	14	9	13	12
Honda		3	6	7	10	9	9
Nissan	2	5	4	9	8	9	6
Hyundai			1	1	5	4	4
Kia				1	3	4	3
Subaru		1	1	1	2	3	4
Volkswagen	6	3	1	2	3	3	2
Daimler		1	1	2	2	3	2
BMW				1	2	2	2
Mazda		1	2	1	2	2	2
Mitsubishi			1	2		1
Volvo		1	1	1			1
Porsche Audi							2
Tesla							2
1% Offerings Count	6	11	13	15	13	14	16
Top 4 % Share	88	79	79	74	60	59	62

2020 U.S. Auto Sales Figures by Brand | GCBC (goodcarbadcar.net)

Top Vehicle Manufacturers in the US Market, 1961-2016 – knoema.com

Animated chart of the day: Market shares of US auto sales, 1961 to 2018 | American Enterprise Institute – AEI

In 1970, GM owned a 39% market share in the US with its 6 brands. It now sells less than one-half at 19%. Ford sold 28% and now sells about one-half as much at 15%. Chrysler-Lincoln-Mercury-Jeep has done better, selling 12% in 2020 versus 15% in 1970.

In 1970 there were only 6 firms with 1% or greater market share. Today, there are 16 firms.

In 1970, the top 4 cornered the market with 88% market share. That has declined to 62%.

In the last 50 years, 11 new firms have earned 1% or greater market share. Consumer options are 3 times as great as in 1970!

A similar change has taken place for most manufactured goods. Legacy high cost American and European manufacturers have lost market share. Asian manufacturers have gained significantly (Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, SE Asia, India). Latin American and African manufacturers have recently started to provide a fourth option.

For consumers, this is great news. More choices. More competitors. Lower prices. Improved products.

Compare the 2021 Honda Accord LX sedan with the 1970 Chevy Impala option to get a sense of the improved features available on a standard “family sedan” today versus 50 years ago.

2021 Honda Accord Prices, Reviews, and Pictures | Edmunds

Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation) – Wikipedia