From the factory floor to the open road, the automotive world is a universe of staggering numbers, surprising trends, and massive financial implications. As a Finance Manager and Internal Auditor with decades of experience, I’ve learned that understanding these facts and figures isn’t just for analysts—it’s for every car owner who wants to make smarter financial decisions.
This isn’t just a list of trivia. This is your definitive, one-stop resource for the most important data points shaping the automotive industry in 2025.
1. Global Automotive Production & Sales
The scale of the global automotive industry is immense. Here are the key numbers driving the market.
- In 2024, global car sales reached 74.6 million units, a 2.5% increase from the previous year.
- China is the world’s largest car producer and market, accounting for 31% of global car sales and producing over 30 million vehicles in 2023.
- The Toyota Group remains the top-selling automotive manufacturer globally, with 10.16 million vehicles sold in 2024, followed by Volkswagen Group and Hyundai Motor Group.
- The Ford F-Series continues its reign as the world’s bestselling car model, with over 399,819 units sold in the first half of 2025 alone, demonstrating the strong global demand for pickup trucks.
2. The State of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The shift to electric is no longer a fringe movement—it’s a global force. These statistics show just how fast the landscape is changing.
- In 2024, global electric car sales exceeded 17 million, with more than 20% of new cars sold worldwide being electric.
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that over 20 million new electric cars will be sold in 2025, pushing EV sales to account for one in every four new vehicles sold globally.
- China leads the charge, with EV sales reaching 11 million in 2024 and making up almost two-thirds of all global EV sales.
- The United States saw its EV market share grow to over 10% in 2024, with 1.6 million electric cars sold.
- The number of EV models available to consumers is rapidly expanding, with 149 EV models available for sale in the U.S. in Q1 2025.
3. Auto Loan & Consumer Debt Statistics
As an auto finance veteran, I know that for most people, the most important numbers are the ones on their loan statements. These stats highlight the current financial climate for car buyers.
- The average new vehicle loan amount was $41,720 in the first quarter of 2025, while the average used vehicle loan was $26,144, according to Experian data.
- The average car payment for a new vehicle was $745 per month in Q1 2025, a slight increase from the previous year.
- The average auto loan term continues to stretch, with new car loans averaging 68.6 months and used car loans at 67.2 months.
- Total U.S. auto loan debt has reached $1.642 trillion as of Q1 2025, surpassing student loan debt.
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4. Vehicle Longevity & Demographics
Cars are lasting longer than ever before. This has major implications for both the new car market and the service industry.
- The average age of vehicles on the road in the U.S. has reached a record high of 12.8 years in 2025.
- Passenger cars are aging faster than light trucks, with an average age of 14.5 years in 2025.
- Generation X currently holds the largest average auto loan balance, with an average of $27,602, followed by Millennials at $24,942.
5. The Future of Driving: Autonomous Technology
While fully autonomous vehicles aren’t widespread yet, the technology is rapidly advancing, and its market impact is already significant.
- The global autonomous vehicle market is projected to be worth $273.75 billion in 2025, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.3% by 2034.
- As of 2024, 95% of new cars sold globally had at least some Level 1 or Level 2 autonomous driving features (like lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control).
- By 2030, analysts project that 90.4% of all cars sold globally will have Level 1-4 automated driving features.
Conclusion: Beyond the Numbers
These facts and figures paint a picture of an industry in constant motion—one that is growing, innovating, and continuously reshaping our financial lives.
For you, the smart consumer, these statistics aren’t just data points; they are indicators of market trends, financing risks, and opportunities to make better decisions. At ANKSO, my goal is to help you use this information to your advantage.
Ready to turn these insights into action? Dive into our articles on Auto Loans and Car Buying Strategies to master your next vehicle purchase.