A U T O     B U Z Z

The Volkswagen Golf topped the list of best-selling cars in the world, beating out the likes of the Ford F-Series trucks and the Opel Astra.  Included in the Golf's winning tally are sales of the Bora/Jetta sedan.  The Golf is set to continue the winning streak into 2001, after VW introduces variants like a seven-seater mini-MPV and a compact 4x4. 

European hatchbacks like the Golf, Peugeot 206 and Opel Corsa were well represented in the top 10.  Ford's Focus also figured among the best-sellers.

The Ford F-series pickup, long the best selling vehicle in the US, took second place.

American hits like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry didn't seem to translate their success to Europe, so they ended up mid-field in the listing.  Perennial Philippine bestsellers like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla were apparently doing well worldwide; they were 11th and 13th, respectively.

BMW 3-series may be relatively rare here, but they sold in droves around the world.  Nearly half a million were snapped up, beating even cheaper cars like the VW Polo.  So much for exclusivity.

Seems that our car preferences in the Philippines are more in line with American tastes, an irony given our tight roads, small frames and scarcity of parking spaces.

Of the 20, the Golf, F-series, Astra, Megane, Caravan, Corolla, Civic, Accord, Camry, 3-series, Polo and Echo are officially available in the Philippines.  We wonder if AUVs have any chance of being in future lists.

[ BUZZ MAIN ]