China 2005: FAW Tianjin Xiali and Hyundai Elantra take the lead of Passenger Car charts

FAW Tianjin Xiali

New vehicle sales in China leap up 16.8% year-on-year in 2005 to 5,360,615 units, including 2.77 million Passenger Cars (+23%). This year, new legislation aimed at containing sales growth by restricting car credit has the effect of reshuffling the models ranking entirely, bringing to an end two decades of Volkswagen domination in the Passenger Car charts as we’ll see further down.

In the brands ranking, Volkswagen shocks again with a drastic -25.4% year-on-year loss, thinning its advantage over #2 Changan (+12.1%) to 53,600 units vs. 246,000 last year. Wuling (+37.3%) improves two spots on 2004 to land on the third step of the podium, dislodging Foton (-0.3%). Hyundai (+54.6%) roars up to #5 and #2 Passenger Car brand, notably overtaking Honda (+19.5%) and Buick (-1%). Nissan (+113%), Chery (+110.4%) up to #11, Toyota (+47.5%), Geely (+46.6%) up to #13 and FAW Tianjin (+46%) all score fantastic gains below. Chevrolet (+752.6%) is up to #20 overall.

The Hyundai Elantra ends the year at #2 in the Passenger Car ranking.

Model-wise, the ranking is still dominated by Commercial Vehicles (Changan Star, Foton Forland & Wuling Van), but looking at the Passenger Car charts there’s a lot of change on top. The disputed fight for the first place goes on all year between the Hyundai Elantra and the FAW Tianjin Xiali, based on the Daihatsu Charade and facelifted at mid-year. The Xiali finishes the year #1 with sales up 58.8%, edging past the Hyundai Elantra (+71.9%). This ends almost 20 years of domination by Volkswagen, having placed the Santana then the Jetta atop the charts over the period. 

Chery QQ

The Buick Excelle (+63.6%) gains 3 spots to climb onto the podium ahead of ex-leader the VW Jetta, #4 with sales down -7.6%. Below the Honda Accord (+8.2%) a little shy, the Chery QQ, a copy of the Daewoo Matiz, is the best new entrant in the Top 10 Passenger Cars in 6th place with sales up 122%. year-on-year. In contrast. it’s a forgettable year for the VW Santana (-29%) and Passat (-10%). Note that when counting the sedan and hatch together, the Nissan Tiida, launched in March, is already #1 Passenger Car in September with over 13,700 units sold. 

Full Year 2005 Top 100 All brands and Top 335 All models vs. Full Year 2004 figures below.