China March 2012: Buick Excelle #1, Honda CR-V breaks record

Buick Excelle

* See the Top 253 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The Chinese car market is up a modest 4% year-on-year in March to 1.4 million registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 3.77 million, down 2% on 2011. Now that the Buick Excelle has found its mojo and finished 2011 in pole position, it’s not letting it go: like in February, it ranks #1 this month with 24,134 sales. It’s the 5th time in the last 8 months the Excelle leads the Chinese models ranking.

Honda CR-V

The Chevrolet Sail is up 5 spots on February to a best-ever 2nd place at 23,094 units, while the VW Jetta reaches its best spot since March 2011 and its highest volume since January 2011 at #3 with 22,138 sales. After a couple of weak months in the wake of the new generation launch, the Honda CR-V hits its highest ranking and volume ever at #4 and 21,124 units, two records it also broke on the same month in the US. 3 Volkswagens follow: the Passat, still #2 year-to-date, the Bora and Lavida.

Great Wall Haval H6

At #10 the Great Wall Haval H-Series is the best-selling Chinese model this month and ranks within the Top 10 for the third time ever after November and December 2011. Further down the ranking, the VW Magotan is up 36 spots on last month to #13, the Chery Tiggo is up 30 to #28 and the Chery E5 is up 11 to a best-ever 55th place. After a high at #31 in January, the Baojun 630 is down to #83 this month, not far above the Linian S1, the other new low-cost brand/model, up 28 spots to #99.

Riich G3

Haima M11

As far as recent launches are concerned, great performers include the Riich G3 (endorsed by Lionel Messi) up 24 spots to #129, the Great Wall Voleex C50 up 43 to #130 and the ChangAn Eado up 390% and 34 ranks to #175. There are 3 newcomers in the ranking this month: the Haima M11 is performing best at #177 with 975 sales, followed by the MG 5 at #182 and 748 units and the BMW X1 at #188 with 575 sales.

Previous post: China February 2012: When will Chinese cars rule at home?

Previous month: China February 2012: Buick Excelle leads, Chevrolet Malibu arrives

One year ago: China March 2011: FAW Xiali N-Series grabs the pole position

Full March 2012 Top 253 Ranking Table below.