China is the largest vehicle producer of the world.
In November 2009, China became the largest automobile market on earth. In 2009, China manufactured 13,790,994 million units of various types of cars, including sedans, sport utility vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles, small cars, buses, trucks, etc.
Close to half of all the vehicles produced in China are by domestic companies like BYD, Geely, Chery, Roewe, Martin Motors, Lifan, etc.
The rest are produced by joint ventures that local firms have with foreign car companies like General Motors, Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen, Honda, Toyota, etc.
2. Japan: 7,934,516 units
The Japanese automotive industry is the second largest in the world. The nation produced 7,934,516 units of automobiles in 2009.
However, the country was the world's leading car maker till China overtook it in 2009.
Japan is home to auto giants like Suzuki, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Isuzu, Kawasaki, etc.
3. United States: 5,711,823 units
In 2009, 5,711,823 automobiles were manufactured in the United States of America, making it the world's third largest car producer, behind China and Japan.
America's automobile production is dominated by General Motors, Chrysler and Ford Motor, collectively called the Big Three.
The largest foreign car makers in the United States market are Toyota and Honda.
4. Germany: 5,209,857 units
Germany, with a 2009 car production of 5,209,857 units, is the world's fourth largest car maker.
Home to great car firms like Mercedes Benz, Daimler, and BMW, German cars have for long blazed a trail when it comes to quality and build of cars. The extraordinary German auto engineering prowess has wowed the entire world and continues to be the darling of car enthusiasts globally.
5. South Korea: 3,512,916 units
With a production volume of 3,512,916 units in 2009, the automobile industry of South Korea is the fifth largest in the world.
Home to Hyundai, Kia and other auto makers, South Korea produces some of the best cars in the world.
6. Brazil: 3,182,617 units
Brazil is the world's 6th largest producers of cars. It produced 3,182,617 cars in 2009.
Car majors like Toyota, GM, Ford, Fiat, Mercedes Benz et cetera began to produce cars in Brazil a long time ago. This has led to foreign companies grabbing the lion's share in the Brazilian auto market, with only Brazilian auto maker Troller making some name for itself.
7. India: 2,632,694 units
With an annual production of about 2,632,694 cars in 2009, India is now the seventh largest vehicle producing nation in the world. It is a milestone the country achieved six years ahead of the set target.
The Indian automobile sector is also one of the fastest growing markets globally. India aims to become the small car hub of the world by dethroning Japan, the biggest maker of compact cars, a majority of which is consumed domestically.
Last year, India pipped Brazil to become the second-largest producer of small cars.
India also aims to be among the top five vehicle producers by 2020.
8. Spain: 2,170,078 units
Spain is the world's 8th largest producer of automobiles. In 2009, it produced 2,170,078 cars, accounting for almost 4 per cent of the nation's GDP.
The auto sector in Spain also provides employment to over 9 per cent of the working population, according to Wikipedia.
Some of the Spanish car makers include Abadal, Authi Car Company, Barreiros, Biscuter, Elizalde, Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones S.A., Eucort, Hispano-Suiza, etc. Apart from these, most other top global brands too have a big market in the country.
9. France: 2,049,762 units
France produced 2,049,762 cars in 2009. It is the world's 9th largest car maker.
France's car market is dominated by domestic brands like Renault, Peugeot and Citroen which account for over 60 per cent of the total automobile sales in the country.
France, however, does not have the variety in terms of number of manufacturers like other European nations like German or Spain.
10. Mexico: 1,557,290 units
Mexico, with a production of 1,557,290 cars in 2009, is the 10th largest car maker in the world.
Mexico, a huge car market, has been an attractive investment destination for many global car companies, including BMW, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Peugeot Renault, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota, Honda, Volvo, etc.
