American Cars in 2025: Sales in the USA and Europe

05-02-2026

Which American cars sold the best? What do the official data and statistics show? Is Europe still looking toward the USA?

2025 was a year of market consolidation for American automotive, not one of dramatic revolutions. After several years of dynamic changes, both manufacturers and customers began operating within a new reality — one in which some classic models are disappearing from lineups, while others are strengthening their position as the last true representatives of their category.

As in our previous annual summaries, it is worth looking at the market from two perspectives. The United States remains the key reference point in terms of scale and sales volume, while in Europe increasing importance is placed on uniqueness and the fact that many models no longer have direct successors.

Manufacturer Lineup Changes in 2025

The year 2025 brought model range consolidation rather than a wave of premieres. Instead of numerous new launches, the market witnessed the phasing out of classic models.

In terms of new iterations, we saw new versions of the Ford Mustang (S650), including the GTD and the announcement of the Shelby GT500. For Dodge, the key development was the end of production of the Challenger and the classic Charger, directly impacting sales figures but also increasing interest in final-edition models.

In the pickup segment, changes were evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Manufacturers focused on facelifts, new trim levels and adapting their offerings to current regulations.

Muscle Cars in the USA – Leaders, Discontinued Models and Real Volumes

In 2025, the muscle car segment in the United States became clearly polarized. Alongside one model maintaining genuine sales volume, the remaining nameplates largely functioned as end-of-cycle products.

The best-selling muscle car remained, of course, the Ford Mustang. In 2025, it found 45,333 buyers in the United States, maintaining its leadership position in the segment. The fourth quarter was particularly strong, with sales jumping 66.5% year-over-year!

It is also worth highlighting the Chevrolet Corvette — this model accounted for nearly half of all premium sports car sales in the USA. In 2025, Corvette sales in the U.S. were nearly three times higher than the entire Porsche 911 lineup (approx. 12–13 000 units). Annual sales of nearly 35,000 units in the fifth year of the C8 generation’s lifecycle is a phenomenal result, confirming the lack of real competition in the $70,000–150,000+ price range.

In 2025, official new car sales statistics in the USA no longer include the Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Challenger — both models were officially withdrawn from the market. In General Motors / Stellantis statistics, Camaro and Challenger now appear as archived models, with no new registrations (apart from possible collector units registered as “used” after long dealer storage).

As for Dodge, the market has transitioned to the all-new, fully electric (and eventually inline-six ICE) Dodge Charger Daytona, with first deliveries beginning in late 2024 and early 2025.

Ford Mustang - 45,333 units
(+3%)
Chevrolet Corvette - 34,982 units
(-1.1%)
Dodge Charger (ICE) – 34,754 units
(decline YoY, parallel BEV introduction)
Dodge Charger Daytona (BEV) – 7,421 units
(new, fully electric version)

Compared with 2023 and 2024, 2025 clearly marked the moment when, outside of the Mustang, the muscle car segment became a niche market, sustained largely by final production runs and the secondary market.

Pickups in the Domestic U.S. Market in 2025: Stability Despite Market Changes

Unlike muscle cars, the pickup segment remained the most predictable part of the American automotive market in 2025. The best example of this stability is the Ford F-Series. In 2025, the F-Series family sold nearly 830,000 units in the United States, remaining the best-selling vehicle in the country.

Ford serii F - 828,832 units
(+8,3%!)
Chevrolet Silverado – 577,434 units
(minor flactuations, no structural changes)
RAM 1500 (brand RAM) – 437 392 szt.
(stabilization after 2024 declines)

Against the backdrop of shrinking muscle car volumes, pickup trucks confirmed their role as the backbone of the American market. They continue to serve as work vehicles, fleet vehicles and private-use vehicles simultaneously — translating into consistently strong sales.

Muscle Car Sales in European Dealerships

Europe operates under a completely different model than the United States. Muscle cars from the USA primarily reach Europe via individual imports and the secondary market.

In European conditions, a muscle car does not compete directly with popular sports sedans or coupes. Its role is different — it is chosen for character and uniqueness, qualities that are increasingly difficult to find in the local market.

For fans of American V8 engines, the Mustang S650 remained the only real option available through official dealership networks in Europe. At the same time, the offering was significantly narrowed — Ford discontinued smaller engines in Europe, leaving only the 5.0 V8. As a result, the newest Mustang has clearly become a niche product here.

Although the S650 debut in 2024 generated strong initial numbers, and the Mustang remains the world’s best-selling sports car globally, Europe represents only a small portion of overall sales. The continent no longer sees volumes of 15,000 units annually (as achieved by the S550). Current sales are measured in just a few thousand units across all of Europe, mainly due to high pricing and the absence of the more affordable 2.3L EcoBoost version. In high CO₂-tax countries such as France, penalties can increase the vehicle’s price by tens of thousands of euros, significantly limiting mass-market potential.

Nevertheless, demand in markets such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland remains stable. Ford CEO Jim Farley emphasized that international sales are “crucial to the model’s success because people want a piece of America.” Hard to disagree. ;)

Pickups in Europe – An Alternative to SUVs?

The pickup segment in Europe recorded significant growth in 2025.

Just a few years ago, American pickups in Europe were perceived mainly as work tools or exotic curiosities. Today, more European customers are viewing U.S. pickups as a genuine alternative to large premium SUVs.

In 2025, U.S. auction platforms such as Copart and IAAI saw an increase in listings of newer-generation models (including the refreshed 2025 RAM), attracting buyers seeking nearly new vehicles at the price of used European SUVs.

The most frequently registered models included the Ford F-150 (clear leader for years), RAM 1500 (valued for its luxurious interior and legendary 5.7 HEMI engine, ideal for LPG conversion), and Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra. High-trim versions such as the RAM 1500 Laramie and Ford F-150 Platinum and Raptor dominate registrations, clearly showing the evolving role of pickups in European markets.

Importing Cars from the USA to Europe in 2025 – Is It Still Worth It?

Europe (particularly Germany, Poland, and the Scandinavian countries) recorded an approximately 15% year-over-year increase in vehicle imports from the USA. The reason is simple: in 2025, many European dealerships almost completely phased out large-displacement combustion engines. Importing became the primary way to obtain a new V8, as supply within Europe was effectively constrained by emissions regulations.

It is also worth mentioning Canada, which became a kind of “European hub” for overseas vehicles. Thanks to the CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement), vehicles manufactured in Canada (including certain Ford and Chrysler models) benefit from a 0% customs duty rate, instead of the standard 10% applied to U.S.-origin vehicles. In 2025, professional import companies significantly redirected their logistics operations to the ports of Montreal and Halifax.

Main destination markets in 2025:

Germany and Poland: The largest markets for pickups (RAM, F-150) and muscle cars (Mustang, Challenger, Charger, Corvette).
Lithuania and Georgia: Key repair and logistics hubs through which a substantial portion of vehicles shipped from the United States to Central and Eastern Europe pass.
The Netherlands (Rotterdam): The primary unloading port, due to favorable customs procedures (the so-called fiscal procedure).

Despite high freight costs — which stabilized in 2025 after the crises of previous years — the price difference between a “new Mustang from an EU dealership” and a “lightly damaged S650 from the USA” (after repairs) remained highly attractive.

Summary

The muscle car segment has clearly shrunk, and classic V8 engines are becoming increasingly exclusive. At the same time, pickups have confirmed their strength as the most stable and versatile segment of the U.S. market, with growing interest also visible in Europe.

All indications suggest that the coming years will bring further narrowing of traditional combustion-engine offerings and even stronger market polarization: on one side electrification and regulation, on the other a rising appreciation for models from the “last era” of naturally aspirated V8 engines.

For fans of American automotive culture, one thing is certain — 2025 was a transitional year, when some models were definitively retired, and gained icon status faster than anyone expected.

Data Sources: