World June 2012 Roundup: Hyundai Santa Fe & Ford Focus shine

Hyundai Santa Fe

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Now that most June figures have been published, may I introduce you to the fourth instalment of BSCB’s monthly World Roundup. While last month we focused on General Motors and the Toyota Etios, this month the spotlight is on Ford and Hyundai. The main event worldwide in June is the pole position of the Ford Focus in China, a ranking it holds for the very first time thanks to 27,160 sales.

Ford Focus

It is the first time a Ford model manages to top the Chinese passenger car ranking and is another proof of the growing domination of US manufacturers in the biggest car market in the world, with 3 US models in the 6 months 2012 Chinese Top 4: the Buick Excelle, Chevrolet Sail and Cruze! The Ford Focus is also #1 in Ireland, Norway and Israel this month. The second worldwide June headline is the new generation Hyundai Santa Fe taking the lead in its home market in South Korea as early as for its first full month of sales with a brilliant 10,423 units sold and 8.4% market share. This augurs well for the upcoming career of the model worldwide…

Renault Duster

In third spot I have chosen the Dacia/Renault Duster. After launching the Duster in Western and Central Europe and Africa in 2010 to great success, Renault expanded the Duster’s footprint to South America and Russia and sales are literally taking off: in Brazil the Duster is up to a record 16th spot with 5,170 sales, in Russia it is up to a best-ever 14th place with 4,913 units and in Colombia it is by far the best performing newcomer over the first 6 months of 2012 at #11 with 3,376 sales. Notice also the Renault Sandero breaking the 10,000 monthly sales mark for the first time in any country in the world this month – in Brazil.

Dodge Dart

A couple of big events in the US this month: the Chevrolet Malibu delivers its strongest volume in possibly 32 years at 31,402 sales, the Ford Escape lodges its best-ever month at 28,500 units and we welcome two all-new models in the ranking: the Cadillac XTS at #186 with 753 sales and the eagerly anticipated Dodge Dart at #234 with 202 units.

In Croatia, the VW Up! grabs the pole position with an astounding 7.4% share, by far the highest market share it has reached so far anywhere in the world, but also the strongest market share for any model in Croatia since February 2011. This is partly due to a large order by rental car companies though. The Toyota Etios confirms its success in South Africa: after landing directly at a brilliant #7 in May for its first month of sales in the country, it improves further to #4 with an impressive 2,105 sales and 4.1% share, more than double the next best-selling Toyota passenger car.

Great Wall Voleex C30

While Chinese manufacturers are still struggling at home, Great Wall kicks two goals overseas this month. The Great Wall Voleex C30 starts its Iranian production by ranking #11 overall this month and Great Wall becomes one of the Top 10 best-selling brands in Bulgaria over the first 6 months of 2012, now manufacturing there as well.

Previous World Roundups:

World May 2012 Roundup: GM and Toyota Etios make headlines

World April 2012 Roundup: Maruti Swift and Mazda CX-5 impress

World March 2012 Roundup: Toyota Prius breaks a leg

Read the rest of the World May 2012 Roundup by clicking on ‘Read more’ below including highlights from Indonesia, Australia, France, Romania, the UK, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Europe, India, Canada, Austria, Sweden, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Germany!