12 Car Models With The Longest Production Runs

Rainerplendl/Getty Images

Ford, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Toyota — these are immoderate of nan car brands that person proven they person what it takes to make it successful nan car industry. And while not each car from these automakers is simply a gem, they've produced galore of nan cars pinch nan longest accumulation runs successful history, on pinch a fewer different large names, of course. But why person these awesome car brands, and nan celebrated cars they produce, endured wherever others fade?

When it comes to making a car that's loved by consumers, not only successful its first generation, but successful each generation, automakers person to innovate and update. To support a conveyance applicable done nan years requires tuning successful to what nan masses desire arsenic tastes and exertion change. This intends overmuch of nan in installments for a car's agelong accumulation tally goes to its designers and institution CEOs. Having nan expertise to make an iconic car look caller while sticking to its roots is simply a situation not conscionable anyone successful nan manufacture tin accomplish.

On this list, you'll find vehicles that person deed a nervus pinch consumers, pinch astir having been successful accumulation for 60 years aliases more. Many of nan models are still trading today, but whether they tin proceed to find their measurement into driveways astir nan state and nan world is thing only clip will tell.

Sue Thatcher/Getty Images

Toyota introduced nan compact Corolla measurement backmost successful 1966, but it wouldn't make its measurement to nan States until 1968. Regardless of wherever it was sold, nan exemplary quickly took off, and by 1974, it was nan best-selling car worldwide. Originally, nan Toyota Corolla was a two-door, five-passenger coupe pinch a dinky 1.1-liter motor that could only nutrient 60 horsepower. This simplicity, though, is portion of what made nan car great. With thing overmuch to it, location was very small that could spell wrong.

Over time, regular motor upgrades and changing up nan car's assemblage style options person been cardinal to ensuring the Corolla lives on. In its 5th generation, nan Corolla switched from rear- to front-wheel thrust and offered a 1.6-liter motor paired pinch a four-speed automatic transmission for nan first time. It was successful 2006, nan car's 10th generation, that modern infotainment features became nan norm, arsenic did pairing nan motor choices pinch a CVT. By nan 11th gen, nan Corolla was offered pinch a hybrid powertrain, which now dominates nan car's income successful Europe.

Now successful its 12th generation, nan Corolla is somewhat much complex. However, it's someway been capable to clasp its position arsenic nan best-selling car globally, out-ranking rivals for illustration Ford's F-Series and Tesla's Model Y. Because Toyota perpetually updates nan Corolla to align pinch marketplace trends, nan car has maintained its spot astatine nan apical successful nan car industry.

Milos Ruzicka/Getty Images

At nan 1964 New York World's Fair, nan state would meet nan beloved Ford Mustang for nan first time. Lee Iacocca, Ford's vice president astatine nan time, was nan driving unit down nan Mustang and its exceptional trading strategy. His brilliance successful predicting what nan American nationalist wanted to thrust successful nan 1960s and really to waste it to them has made nan Mustang 1 of nan astir successful cars to ever travel disconnected nan accumulation statement successful nan U.S. Within its first year, income exceeded a mind-boggling 400,000, which went good beyond nan estimated 150,000 Mustangs nan institution expected to sell.

The Mustang was nan first-ever pony car, a nickname that came from not conscionable its nameplate but besides its awesome horsepower. There person ever been a assortment of engines disposable for nan Mustang, but a powerful V8 artifact is typically nan astir celebrated option. Changes successful nan car's creation complete nan years, from convertibles and coupes to hood scoops and fastbacks, proceed to make this sporty group of wheels desirable.

Ford has someway kept nan spirit of nan Mustang alive for much than 60 years. The caller summation of nan Mustang Mach-E, Ford's afloat electrical type of nan pony car, successful 2021, comes pinch mixed feelings. The EV type has shown beardown income maturation successful its short clip successful nan Ford lineup, but immoderate consciousness nan car doesn't clasp existent to nan Mustang of old. We'll person to hold and spot if nan Mach-E tin clasp up to nan lasting estimation of its ICE kin.

Sjoerd Van Der Wal/Getty Images

Would nan now-infamous Porsche 911 person been arsenic good received if nan automaker had stuck pinch its original scheme to telephone it nan 901? Thanks to Peugeot's declare connected that number, we'll ne'er know, but what we do cognize is that nan first Porsche 911 was introduced successful 1963, pinch afloat accumulation going guardant successful 1964. And ever since, nan 911 has been a sports car icon that conscionable astir everyone knows. Part of what makes it truthful recognizable is its consistency successful creation passim its extended 60-plus-year accumulation run.

Sure, nan car has had immoderate exterior creation changes complete nan years, but it's ever maintained nan sleek curves and rounded headlights that make it a Porsche 911. Inside is simply a different story. Early models were rather basal successful nan cockpit, while different renditions person been outfitted pinch luxuries for illustration leather seats and modern tech. Of course, pinch a sports car for illustration nan 911, it's each astir performance. And from its humble air-cooled flat-six beginnings to its track-ready, turbocharged, electric-motor-assisted powertrain option of caller years, nan Porsche 911 continues to innovate truthful it ever delivers.

Viggo Hansson/Shutterstock

Let's group things consecutive correct away: The legendary Nissan Skyline didn't statesman life arsenic a Nissan astatine all. The sporty car was initially released successful 1957 by nan Japanese Prince Motor Company and wouldn't return connected nan Nissan explanation until nan 2 companies merged successful 1966. Not overmuch changed pinch nan car astatine first, but then, successful 1969, Nissan added nan well-recognized GT-R nickname to nan Skyline. This is erstwhile nan car transformed from a luxury-oriented sedan to a existent capacity sports car built to race. Obviously, it wasn't conscionable astir nan sanction (which intends Gran Turismo Racer, by nan way). The GT-R sewage a 160-horsepower inline-six motor nether nan hood, which was awesome for a Japanese automobile successful its day.

During its astir 70-year accumulation run, nan Nissan Skyline has received galore upgrades to its powertrain, but portion of its allure apt comes from nan truth that nan car won its very first title and continued to triumph 49 consecutive times earlier its first loss. In 2008, erstwhile nan car yet made it to America, it dropped Skyline from nan name. This didn't make nan car immoderate little capable, arsenic Nissan GT-Rs of this procreation came pinch a 473-hp twin-turbo V6, putting it successful nonstop title pinch American musculus cars. Then, nan 2020 type of nan Nissan GT-R sewage a powerfulness boost, jumping horses to 600.

Sadly, Nissan has announced it will no longer nutrient GT-R models. The last car was made for nan Japanese marketplace successful August 2025. That being said, Nissan has alluded that nan legendary exemplary whitethorn make a return, but for now, we tin only admit what has been an epoch capacity car pinch an extended accumulation run.

kukurund/Shutterstock

So, nan Volkswagen Beetle is astir apt nan astir recognizable car of each time, acknowledgment to its chopped rounded shape, being an icon successful popular culture, and having 1 of nan longest accumulation runs ever. The German car started life successful 1938 and lasted until nan last Type I car came disconnected nan accumulation statement successful 2003. Volkswagen attempted a reboot successful nan precocious '90s, but nan "New Beetle" grounded to make nan dedicated pursuing that early models enjoyed, causing accumulation to extremity successful 2019.

Although nan first VW Beetle deed nan streets of Germany successful 1938, nan car wouldn't make its measurement to nan U.S. until aft WWII, for evident reasons. At first, nan car's income didn't return off, but arsenic nan counterculture activity grew successful nan '60s and '70s, truthful did nan Beetle's instrumentality base. The two-door car came arsenic a hardtop aliases soft-top convertible, but its powerfulness was ne'er impressive. The engine, however, was elemental and easy to activity on, making nan car durable. Its affordable value besides made it attractive, but by nan precocious '70s, income fell off. In 1976, nan past of nan original Beetle models was sold successful nan U.S.

Minor changes to things for illustration nan Beetle's windows and bumpers complete nan years, and flimsy motor enhancements to summation power, didn't look to wounded nan VW Beetle's popularity. Even today, nan car is sought after, particularly definite twelvemonth models, for illustration nan 1968 type that was featured successful nan Disney movie "The Love Bug." There person been rumors of a early Beetle; Perhaps an EV model, but nothing's charismatic yet. It's difficult to cognize if an EV type would please nan masses aliases capable nan void near aft VW officially discontinued nan Beetle.

Mercedes-Benz is nan oldest car shaper successful nan world, pinch astir 150 years of acquisition successful nan car manufacture nether its belt. So, it's not each that astonishing to study nan institution makes 1 of nan car models pinch nan longest accumulation runs ever. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is an elegant sedan that's been successful nan automaker's lineup for decades, but Mercedes didn't officially connect nan S-Class sanction to nan car until 1972. However, nan S-Class nickname was first applied to nan car successful immoderate shape starting arsenic acold backmost arsenic 1954, though immoderate statement it was 1951.

The "S" refers to special, and what made nan luxurious sedan a trim supra successful nan 1950s was its six-cylinder motor and freely "pontoon" assemblage style. As nan Mercedes-Benz S-Class developed, information and exertion innovations kept it a desirable action for able elites. By 1972, erstwhile nan S-Class explanation was official, nan car had modern antilock brakes, which were unsocial astatine nan time. Developments done nan 1980s brought airbags, a lightweight alloy V8 engine, and deformable integrative bumpers.

Today, nan S-Class continues to beryllium a pioneer successful nan automotive world, helping to group nan standards for luxury and information crossed nan industry. Mercedes-Benz is apt to proceed nan S-Class agelong into nan future. With updates to styling and technology, nan luxury sedan should easy support its estimation arsenic 1 of nan champion cars successful nan world.

Dominick Corrado/Shutterstock

Chevy wanted a car that could compete pinch nan celebrated British sports cars of nan 1950s, truthful nan automaker introduced nan Chevrolet Corvette successful 1953. That year, each exemplary manufactured was achromatic pinch a reddish interior. Perhaps that's what contributed to nan less-than-impressive income numbers. It took the Corvette a fewer years, but eventually, styling and motor changes helped motorboat nan sports car to nan well-known thrust it is today.

Upgrading nan motor successful 1955 made nan Corvette much charismatic to sports car lovers. The powertrain went from nan original six-cylinder 150-hp artifact to a V8 pinch 195 ponies successful those first mates of years. Obviously, nan car's had a scope of engines since its early days, pinch V8s producing much than 360 hp successful nan early '60s and jumping to nan 500 hp scope later successful nan decade. In nan early 2000s, nan Corvette was offered pinch a supercharged 6.2-liter powerplant that could present a whopping 638 hp.

But powerfulness isn't nan only logic nan Corvette has made it this agelong successful nan Chevy family. The car has gone done galore style changes passim its agelong history, helping it support its eye-catching appeal. While nan split-window creation of 1963 is sought aft for its rarity, aerodynamic improvements during nan '70s and '80s and nan sharp, fierce angles of nan mid-2000s are besides popular. The early of nan Corvette will dangle connected user liking and Chevy's expertise to revolutionize nan sports car.

Different_brian/Getty Images

Since 1951, nan Toyota Land Cruiser has been an icon successful nan off-road community, acknowledgment to its highly competent capacity connected conscionable astir immoderate terrain. This SUV is besides reliable and capable to traverse immoderate of nan astir utmost landscapes successful nan world, not to mention being 1 of Toyota's longest-running vehicles.

It began life arsenic nan Toyota Jeep BJ and was primitively utilized only arsenic a subject conveyance during nan Korean War. Civilians had entree to nan Land Cruiser starting successful 1955, and while this type looked a small different from nan original, it was nary little capable. During Toyota's early years successful nan U.S., nan Land Cruiser quickly ramped up to go nan company's best-selling model, taking this prestige by nan early '60s.

The 1980s saw nan Land Cruiser arsenic a four-door SUV for nan first, but not nan last, time. While its minimalistic interior kept nan attraction connected nan Land Cruiser's off-road ability, nan vehicle's operation of inferior and comfortableness made it a celebrated action for a immense user base. Over nan years, nan Land Cruiser SUV's exterior creation hasn't changed excessively much. While improvements successful technology, versatility, and comfortableness person been cardinal to nan vehicle's success, its looks are only somewhat different coming from nan original exemplary of nan early '50s. Part of what keeps nan Land Cruiser applicable is its durability. This, mixed pinch nan SUV's rugged capability, is why it's remained an iconic conveyance contempt its short accumulation region aft 2021. The exemplary should beryllium capable to proceed arsenic agelong arsenic it offers nan aforesaid durability and off-road capacity consumers person travel to expect.

Milos Ruzicka/Getty Images

When it comes to cars pinch agelong accumulation runs, nan Volkswagen Transporter takes nan apical spot for European-made automobiles, and it's 3rd overall. Since nan first exemplary came disconnected nan statement successful 1950, nan van has been a staple connected roadways each complete nan world for much than 70 years. Fondly referred to arsenic nan T1 successful its first generation, nan Transporter primitively had a basal design, pinch nary windows successful nan rear compartment, and nan aforesaid motor arsenic nan VW Beetle mounted successful nan rear.

It didn't return long, though, earlier much creation options came along. Adding rear windows and a rider van pinch room for 9 group gave nan Transporter a wider target market. Within 10 years, accumulation of nan Transporter went from 8,000 to 151,000 units. The preamble of nan Samba autobus successful 1951 helped make nan Transporter nan icon it is now. That type featured windows each nan measurement astir and a sunroof. The second-generation VW Transporter, aliases T2, came retired successful 1967 pinch insignificant updates to its looks. This procreation had larger windows and improved information features, and successful 1970, VW sold 287,000 units.

After U.S. income declined successful nan '70s, VW nary longer sold nan Transporter successful nan country, but it's still disposable successful different parts of nan world to this day. In fact, nan existent generation, T7, is built successful conjunction pinch Ford connected nan Transit Van platform. For now, it seems arsenic though thing tin extremity this awesome instrumentality from moving forward.

Different_brian/Getty Images

Ford makes nan conveyance pinch nan second-longest accumulation run, and it's nan F-Series. You can't really thrust anyplace successful America without seeing astatine slightest 1 of these trucks retired and about. The Ford F-Series consistently outsells each of its competitors, and it's been a portion of nan Blue Oval family since 1948. While Ford was trading individual trucks agelong earlier 1948, it was nan first F-Series that laid nan instauration for nan company's early success. This was nan twelvemonth Ford offered much size options, pinch nan F-1 half-ton pickup being nan smallest type and nan large F-8 offered for commercialized purposes.

The second-gen F-Series was introduced successful 1953, which is erstwhile nan F-100, F-250, and F-350 designations were first attached to nan motortruck lineup. This was besides nan twelvemonth Ford gave nan motortruck a full caller look, 1 that's considered vintage today. From nan 3rd procreation on, nan F-Series began to morph into nan motortruck we cognize now, pinch a squared-off style and longer bed. The F-150 exemplary came astir successful 1975, but wouldn't afloat switch nan F-100 until 1983. In 1986, Ford put a fuel-injected 5.0-liter V8 nether nan hood of nan F-Series, which was an manufacture first that later became nan norm for trucks.

Ford continues to update and amended its best-selling vehicle, making changes that heighten driver acquisition some connected and disconnected nan pavement. While nan Ford Lightning EV pickup attempts to make a sanction for itself, for now, thing seems capable to return nan spot of nan well-loved Ford F-Series.

Heritage Images/Getty Images

And nan victor of nan car exemplary pinch nan longest accumulation tally successful history goes to nan Chevrolet Suburban, nan only car pinch a prima connected nan Hollywood Walk of Fame. This SUV has been successful continuous accumulation since 1935, speech from a little region successful civilian accumulation during WWII, and it's been celebrated for galore years. Yes, Suburban was a generic word utilized by respective automakers up until nan precocious 1970s, but then, Chevrolet was officially capable to trademark nan name. It's been a fable successful nan making since Chevy first introduced it successful 1935 arsenic a two-door wagon pinch tons of rider space.

During nan '50s and '60s, Chevy did a batch to amended nan Suburban's thrust comfortableness and make it amended astatine handling off-road conditions. By nan '90s, arsenic SUVs began to return complete nan roads, nan Suburban was already well-established. Over nan years, Chevy has worked to amended substance system for nan long-running SUV by making it much aerodynamic and upgrading nan motor and transmission options.

Sales of nan Suburban are unluckily declining, pinch conscionable complete 44,000 units sold successful 2024. Keeping nan Chevy Suburban successful nan lineup mightiness return much than little state prices astatine this point. Although it's been astir for almost a century, nan SUV whitethorn request a important redesign to support it applicable successful today's world of compact crossovers and smaller yet still tin midsize SUVs.