Hyundai-Kia Become The World's 3rd Largest Automaker: BYD Beats General Motors To Take 5th
As a surprise to nobody, the Japanese automotive giant Toyota Motor Corporation has once again topped the list of largest carmakers across the globe. However, the biggest surprise has come from the car brand in the third spot. And it is none other than Hyundai Motor Group, which also consists of Kia. Another major highlight of the new list is the Chinese automotive giant BYD securing the fifth position.
Before going ahead, here is the complete list of the top 10 largest carmakers across the globe. The first position, as mentioned, has retained the top spot with 1,13,22,575 units. The second position is taken by Volkswagen Group with 89,83,807 units. Now, coming to the surprising one, the third spot is held by Hyundai Motor Group with 72,44,408 units in total.
The fourth spot has been taken by Stellantis with 55,10,368 units and, again as a surprise, the Chinese auto giant BYD has reached the fifth spot with 46,02,436 units, overtaking General Motors, which is in the sixth position with 45,47,918 units. Ford Motor Company is seventh with 43,95,000 units, Chinese giant Geely Holding Group is eighth with 41,67,717 units, Honda Motor Co. is in the ninth spot with 34,60,000 units, and in the tenth spot is Suzuki Motor Corporation with 32,95,013 units.
As most of us are aware, Hyundai is struggling in India, and because of this, many people assume that it might be struggling globally as well. However, the situation is completely opposite. Hyundai Motor Group has now become the third highest sales volume brand globally. Its strong performance has come from multiple markets, including North America, Europe, India, and many others.
What has helped Hyundai Motor Group in reaching the third spot is that it has a very balanced global portfolio. The group has managed this growth by offering affordable hatchbacks, premium SUVs, EVs, and luxury Genesis models (not in India but globally). Another major advantage for Hyundai-Kia has been its aggressive SUV strategy.
Its models like the Hyundai Tucson, Creta, Santa Fe, and Kia Sportage and Seltos have become extremely successful globally. At the same time, the company has also expanded its EV lineup with products based on the E-GMP platform. Models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Kia EV6 have helped the group globally, even though they are not as popular in India.
The above news is very good for Hyundai fans in India because currently Hyundai is struggling a lot in India. Hyundai Motor India Limited, for decades, was the second largest carmaker in India. However, it has been replaced by both Tata Motors and Mahindra Automotive in the list of top automakers in India.
As per FY26 Q4 financial data, Hyundai Motor India has seen a sharp 22 percent decline in net profit to Rs 1,256 crore. Its EBITDA also declined even though its revenue has increased on a year-on-year basis. It has been highlighted that this has happened due to the rising competition, aggressive discounting, and increasing costs.
At the same time, Tata Motors has managed to dominate the affordable EV segment. Meanwhile, Mahindra has made its SUV and born-electric vehicle lineup stronger with products based on the INGLO platform.
However, it is not all bad news for Hyundai in India. The company, in order to address the falling sales momentum in India, is now planning to launch 26 new models and facelifts by 2030. These launches will include ICE vehicles, EVs, hybrid models, mid-life facelifts, and new SUVs. The company is also expanding its Pune manufacturing facility, with additional production capacity planned after the Phase II expansion.
Even though Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai are above it, the Chinese automotive giant BYD has become the talk of the town as it has entered the top five largest carmakers list for the first time. BYD sold around 4.6 million vehicles globally in 2025 and has now managed to overtake General Motors.
What makes this achievement even more special is that BYD’s growth is due to its electric vehicles. The company has become the world’s largest EV manufacturer by volume and has even left Elon Musk-led Tesla Inc. behind in annual EV sales.