However, strong contenders for the title often include:
* Ford F-Series pickup trucks: Overwhelmingly the best-selling vehicle *in the US* during much of that period, and likely a top contender globally when considering truck sales alongside cars. Their consistent popularity across decades makes them a serious contender.
* Volkswagen Beetle: Globally, the Beetle's sheer production numbers and iconic status make it a very strong contender. Its long lifespan and widespread adoption solidify its claim.
* Toyota Corolla: While not leading in the very early years of the timeframe, the Corolla's massive global sales in later decades (especially in the 1980s and beyond) propelled it into contention for a top spot in overall sales.
It's important to note: Different methodologies for calculating "most popular" (total units sold vs. average annual sales vs. market share) will give different results. No single source exists to definitively say which car was truly #1 overall for the entire 50-year period. The F-Series, Beetle, and Corolla are all consistently cited in discussions of the most popular vehicles of that era, but declaring a single winner is difficult to justify with certainty.
