Sushi in Japan, pizza in Italy and borscht in Russia. Or the Toyota Aqua in Japan, Fiat Panda in Italy and Hyundai Solaris in Russia.

We take for granted that people from different cultures like different food and different music. Less often we think that their tastes also vary in cars. But the differences are quite significant. However, the most popular cars in most cultures are dominated by middle-class cars and cars that are manufactured in the country or region.

Swedes prefer Sweden, Germans like German, Brazilians go for Italian…

For example, in Sweden, the best-selling car is domestic Volvo V70, in Germany a Volkswagen Golf. In Italy the most common car comes from their brand, namely the Fiat Panda. In Japan, the winner is Toyota Aqua (known as the Prius C in the United States).

In many places in the world where they do not have their car brands, they usually buy cars which are manufactured in domestic factories.  For example, the Brazilians prefer Fiat Pali and Indians Maruti Suzuki Alto.

Americans with no surprises

Hollywood movies accustomed us that most Americans drive huge American-made pick-up trucks. And the sales figures confirm that. The top 3 best-selling vehicles in the US in 2015 belong to this category. The number one spot is reserved for Ford F-Series, followed by Chevrolet Silverado and Ram Pickup. Even in Canada it is similar, because their best-selling car model is also Ford F-Series. In Britain the best seller is Ford Fiesta.

Another interesting nation as far as most common car is concerned, are South Africans. They somehow share the taste for cars with Americans and prefer to buy pickups. The best-selling car in the homeland of Nelson Mandela is in fact Toyota Hilux. In China, despite the march of domestic car brands, first place still holds Volkswagen Lavida Sedan. In Russia, the title belongs to Hyundai Solaris.

From supporting the domestic economy to the power of habits

The reason for this is that in many countries customers prefer to buy cars from domestic brands or manufactures is a desire to support the domestic economy. In many places a lot of jobs depend on automotive industry.

In some countries, giving priority to a particular brand or type of car comes from practical reasons. In Indian cities it is so much easier to move around in a small Alto than with a larger car. Elsewhere, it is also or primarily for the power of habit. When we get used to a certain brand and are satisfied with it, we simply  not have the need to replace it.

And the best selling car in the world for 2015? It is Toyota Corolla with over 1.3 million units sold worldwide.

Image credit: Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford