What was the most popular car in 1960?

The Volkswagen Beetle was the world’s most popular car in 1960 by global sales, while the Chevrolet Impala was the best‑selling individual model in the United States that year. This reflects how “most popular” can differ depending on whether you’re looking at worldwide totals or a specific national market.

How popularity was measured in 1960

Automotive “popularity” is typically gauged by unit sales. In 1960, global production and sales were dominated by a handful of mass‑market models, but the leader could change depending on whether you considered worldwide sales or those within a particular country. The Volkswagen Beetle’s international reach made it the top seller globally, while in the U.S. the Chevrolet Impala led domestic model sales.

Global leader: Volkswagen Beetle

By 1960, Volkswagen’s Beetle (Type 1) had become a global phenomenon, produced in Germany and assembled or built in multiple countries, including Brazil. Its simple engineering, affordability, and strong export footprint helped it outsell any other single model worldwide that year. While exact annual totals vary by source, contemporary industry records and historical analyses consistently place the Beetle at or near the top of global sales in 1960—surpassing the volumes of any single U.S. or European rival model.

United States leader: Chevrolet Impala

In the U.S. market, the Chevrolet Impala was the best‑selling car model in 1960. Chevrolet dominated American sales at the time, and the Impala—then the top trim in Chevrolet’s full‑size lineup—accounted for roughly half a million units in the 1960 model year, depending on how body styles and series are counted. Although the newly introduced Ford Falcon posted a very strong debut (over 400,000 units in its first model year), it did not eclipse the Impala’s total for 1960.

Other notable contenders around the world

Several other models were highly influential in 1960 even if they did not lead in total sales. Compact and economy cars gained momentum amid changing consumer preferences, urbanization, and rising fuel economy awareness, particularly outside the U.S.

• Ford Falcon (U.S.): Launched for 1960, it quickly became a leading compact with strong first‑year sales, reshaping the American small‑car market.
• BMC Mini (UK/Europe): Still building momentum in 1960, the Mini would soon become a top seller in Britain and a cultural icon across Europe.
• Fiat 500/600 (Europe): Popular throughout Southern and Western Europe, these models anchored postwar mobility in Italy and beyond.

These models illustrate how 1960 marked a pivot toward smaller, more efficient cars internationally, even as full‑size models like the Impala remained dominant in the United States.

At a glance

The following quick reference highlights the 1960 leaders by scope, helping distinguish global versus U.S. market outcomes.

• Worldwide best‑seller in 1960: Volkswagen Beetle
• United States best‑seller in 1960: Chevrolet Impala

Taken together, these points capture the split between global and national sales leadership in 1960’s car market.

Summary

In 1960, the Volkswagen Beetle was the most popular car globally, while the Chevrolet Impala led U.S. sales. The year underscored a broader shift toward compact cars internationally, even as America’s best‑seller remained a full‑size model.