India is now the third-largest car market in the world leaving behind China and the United States. This milestone was reached in 2022 when India overtook Japan. Last year, about 4.2 million cars were
India is now the third-largest car market in the world leaving behind China and the United States. This milestone was reached in 2022 when India overtook Japan. Last year, about 4.2 million cars were sold in India. However, despite being such a big market, only around 6 per cent of Indian households actually own a car. In comparison, countries like Nigeria and China are ahead. In Nigeria, about 18 per cent of families have their own vehicle, while in China, it’s around 17 per cent. China holds the title of the world’s largest car market, followed by the US.
Surprisingly, Italy tops the list when it comes to car ownership. According to a report by Pew Research Centre, nearly 89 per cent of Italian households own a car. Italy is home to several world-famous luxury car brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Fiat.
After Italy, the US comes next with about 88 per cent of households owning a car. Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, ranks third with 85 per cent of families having a car. Germany is also known worldwide for its top-quality carmakers such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen.
🚙 Car usage (% of households that own a car):
🇮🇹 Italy: 89%
🇺🇸 USA: 88%
🇩🇪 Germany: 85%
🇫🇷 France: 83%
🇰🇷 South Korea: 83%
🇯🇵 Japan: 81%
🇪🇸 Spain: 79%
🇬🇷 Greece: 76%
🇬🇧 UK: 74%
🇮🇱 Israel: 71%
🇵🇱 Poland: 64%
🇷🇺 Russia: 55%
🇨🇱 Chile: 49%
🇧🇷 Brazil: 47%
🇦🇷 Argentina: 43%
🇹🇷…
— World of Statistics (@stats_feed) June 3, 2025
What about Pakistan and Bangladesh?
When it comes to car ownership, many countries are still ahead of India. France ranks fourth, with 83% of families owning a car. South Korea is also at 83 per cent, followed by Japan at 81 per cent. In Spain, 79 per cent of households have a car, while Greece has 76 per cent, the UK 74 per cent, Israel 71 per cent, Poland 64 per cent, and Russia 55 per cent.
Even in Latin America, the numbers are higher than India. In Chile, 49 per cent of families own a car, in Brazil it’s 47 per cent, Argentina 43 per cent, Turkey 42 per cent, and Mexico 35 per cent. South Africa stands at 31 per cent, Ukraine at 29 per cent, and Egypt at 20 per cent—all ahead of India’s 6 per cent.
Among India’s neighbors, the situation is different. In Pakistan, only about 3% of households own a car, and in Bangladesh, the number is even lower—just 2 per cent.