In 2016, Volkswagen took the title of the world’s largest car manufacturer by sales, but Toyota still holds a notable distinction: it was the most-Googled car brand worldwide, according to a specific source. This claim highlights Toyota’s strong online presence.
The data was compiled by Quickco, a car parts company based in the United Kingdom, seemingly to spark conversation around its brand. Regardless of their motives, the findings reveal an intriguing global map showcasing the most-searched automotive brands by country. Observers may note that the countries with missing data typically enforce strict internet restrictions.
Most countries favored popular brands, with Toyota and Honda dominating globally. BMW was particularly favored in Europe, while Chevrolet saw significant interest in Central and South America. A few surprising preferences emerged, such as Mercedes-Benz at the southern tip of Africa and Audi leading in French Guiana. Notably, Jaguar was the top search in Belize, while Bugatti, despite Niger’s per-capita GDP of only $420, was the most searched car brand there.
However, The Drive points out a potential discrepancy: some results do not align with Google’s own 2016 year-in-review information. That data shows Honda, not Toyota, as the most-searched car brand in the U.S., with Toyota notably absent from the top ten. This discrepancy is surprising given Toyota’s strong market presence in the U.S. It’s worth mentioning that Google’s metrics do not cover global searches for car brands, preventing a direct comparison with Quickco’s findings.
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