The number of vehicles produced, including cars, trucks, and buses, rose substantially from 1950 to 2005. In 1950, the majority of the vehicles were produced in the U.S. and Western Europe. In 2009, Japan, China, and other countries around the world produced about two-thirds of the vehicles. The U.S. share of world vehicle production declined to 9.5% in 2009. The category "Other" includes notable markets such as South Korea, Brazil and India.

World Motor Vehicle Production, 1950-2009
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Supporting Information

World Vehicle Production (Thousands)
YearUnited StatesCanadaWestern EuropeJapanChinaOtherWorld TotalU.S. Share (%)
19508.010.391.990.03*0.1610.5875.7
19559.200.453.740.07*0.1613.6367.5
19607.910.406.840.48*0.8716.4947.9
196511.140.859.581.88*0.8324.2745.9
19708.281.1613.055.29*1.6429.4228.2
19758.991.3913.586.94*2.2133.1127.1
19808.011.3215.5011.040.142.5538.5720.8
198511.651.9316.1112.270.442.5044.9125.9
19909.781.9318.8713.490.513.9948.5520.1
199511.992.4117.0510.201.436.9249.9824.0
200012.772.9616.7510.152.0712.7357.4322.2
200511.952.6916.8110.785.6717.8865.7718.2
20095.711.4912.307.9413.6519.0160.099.5

* Data for China before 1980 are not available.
Source: Ward's Automotive Group, Ward's Motor Vehicle Facts and Figures 2010.

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