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Trucks rule the roads in the U.S., but Mexico’s best-selling vehicle is something much smaller. The Nissan Versa, a humble subcompact sedan, outsells everything else. And it’s built locally. With nearly 100,000 sold last year, this familiar nameplate proves that affordability and efficiency still win in some places.

The Versa leads Mexico’s sales charts

According to Focus2Move, the Nissan Versa was Mexico’s best-selling vehicle in 2024, moving 93,278 units—an increase of 21.3% over the previous year. The second-place finisher, the midsize Nissan NP300 pickup, trailed far behind at 59,031 sales. The Chevrolet Aveo rounded out the top three with 58,503 units.

Red Nissan Versa driving through Cancun, Mexico.
Nissan Versa | DarthArt via iStockPhoto

Nissan dominates the Mexican market. Four of the top ten best-sellers come from the brand, including the March and Sentra. This local success is no accident. Nissan has a strong production presence in Mexico, assembling many of its models domestically.

Beating the trucks

In the U.S., full-size pickups reign supreme. The Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado take the top two sales spots year after year. These trucks are available in Mexico, too, but they don’t come close to dethroning the Versa.

Mexican police Nissan NP300 patrol pickup truck in Acapulco.
Nissan NP300 pickup truck | Ceri Breeze via iStockPhoto

Why? The answer is simple: cost. A base Nissan Versa starts under $18,000 in Mexico, while full-size pickups cost significantly more. For most Mexican buyers, fuel efficiency and affordability outweigh the utility of a truck. The Versa’s small size also makes it ideal for navigating Mexico’s dense cities.

Still a player in the U.S.

The Versa may be Mexico’s favorite, but it also has a loyal following in the U.S. In 2024, Nissan sold 42,590 Versas in the States, nearly doubling 2023’s total of 24,807. While this is far below the model’s peak of 66,596 units in 2019, it’s still a respectable showing for a sedan in a market shifting toward crossovers and SUVs.

The Nissan Versa may not be the flashiest car on the road, but it’s the one most Mexicans choose. Reliable, affordable, and built locally, it proves that small cars still have big appeal. While crossovers and trucks grab headlines, the Versa keeps moving units—on both sides of the border.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.