Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

2013 Dacia Logan

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 20 best-selling brands! Click on title to see *

Again very limited data for Morocco so if you have access to more information please make sure to get in touch by commenting on this article or filling up the ‘Contact us’ form. Over the first 10 months of 2012, 107,343 new vehicles found a buyer in Morocco which is a 14% improvement on the same period in 2011. Passenger cars are up 17% to 97.316 units while Commercial vehicles are down 4% to 10,036 registrations. The Moroccan new car market should finish 2012 around 125,000 to 130,000 units which would be a new all-time record.

Brand-wise, Dacia dominates with models produced locally notably the Logan whose new generation is now in market. The French-Romanian brand sold 22,469 units this year so far for a 20.9% market share, up 18% year-on-year, followed by Renault up 9% to 17,239 sales and 16.1% and Peugeot, stable at 9,376 units and 8.7%. Ford ranks 4th (+33%) ahead of  Hyundai (+31%) and Fiat is up 60% to #7. Skoda is up 79% and Land Rover up 259%.

Previous post: Morocco August 2012: Dacia Dokker and Lodgy get started

One year ago: Morocco September 2011: Renault Kangoo reclaims leadership

Full 10 months 2012 Top 20 and October Top 10 brands Ranking Tables below.

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The BYD F3 could reclaim the title of Chinese best-selling passenger car in the world next month.

* See the Top 180 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Austin *

As is now the tradition on BSCB, after exploring the Top 150 most popular cars around the globe for September 2012, we now have a further look at the worldwide year-to-date ranking to extract longer-term trends. Please notice these are September and 9 months figures, not October as not all data has come through yet for that month. Despite historically losing the top spot in September to the Ford Focus, the Toyota Corolla is still solidly installed in pole position year-to-date in 2012 865,674 sales vs. 747,228 for the Focus. The Toyota Camry holds onto its third position at 590,759 units but could be threatened by the VW Golf before the end of the year. Volkswagen’s best-seller adds up to 582,621 sales and ranked at a shiny 4th place in September, with the 7th generation’s effect on sale kicking in in November…

The launch of the 7th generation could help the VW Golf climb onto the worldwide podium by the end of the year.

The Chevrolet Cruze ranks #5 with a brilliant 571,172 sales, ahead of the Ford F-Series at 569,906 and the Hyundai Elantra at 566,812. If anything, the Elantra could gain one or two spots by the end of 2012 if strong sales in China of the new generation continue on their current trajectory. After a scare in August (#15), the Ford Fiesta is back in the Top 10 in September thanks to a strong UK market and should remain in 8th position this year, with the facelifted model helping it to maintain a high level until the end of the year. The VW Jetta is only #10 in spite of 3 consecutive months in third position, this ranking will go down as sales of the Chinese Jetta get removed once the new generation goes on widespread sales there in November.

Buick Excelle XT

There is not a lot of movement in the YTD ranking as the end of the year is starting to get close and total volume get higher. For example, the Toyota Hilux (#16) and Opel Astra (#18) remain stable in spite of excellent performances in September at #12 and #14 respectively – the latter mainly thanks to strong sales of the Buick Excelle XT in China. Notice the Honda Accord now within the Top 20 thanks to a weak month from the Suzuki Swift.

Ford Transit

Further down, the Opel Corsa benefits from a strong UK market to go up 2 spots to #27, the Ford Escape/Kuga is up one to #32, the Hyundai Tucson/ix35 up 2 to #35, the Renault/Dacia Logan down one to #36 but would rank #12 with 516,476 sales once Sandero figures are added – which will be the case in November as the two models are now the sedan and hatchback version of one single car. The Mercedes C-Class is up 3 to #57, the Toyota Aqua up 2 to #64, Renault Megane up 2 to #68 and the Ford Transit and VW Lavida are both up 4 ranks to #75 and #76 respectively.

FAW Xiali N5

The FAW Xiali N3/N5 is still the best-selling Chinese passenger car but it is down 4 spots to #132 and is now only 1,700 sales above the Chery QQ, up 2 ranks to #134 while the BYD F3 is up 7 to #137 with 106,401 sales and could reclaim the Chinese passenger car title as early as next month with the new F3 ‘Surui’ off to a good start in China.

Previous post: World September 2012: Ford Focus #1 ahead of Toyota Corolla!

Previous month: World 8 months 2012: Discover the Top 170 best-selling models

Full 9 months 2012 Top 180 Ranking Table below.

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Mongolia is one of the world’s Top 10 Emerging engines of growth.
Picture by bag_lady, all rights reserved.

* See the entire article by clicking on the title! *

Over the past week we have explored some of the world’s Top 10 Emerging engines of growth as nominated by Business Monitor International. The remaining countries in the Top 10 were covered much more succinctly by BMI so I will give you a summary directly on here. And now, the entire Top 10:

1. Sri Lanka: One of the ‘Top 10 Emerging engines of growth’

2. Kazakhstan August 2012: Podium 100% Lada in market up 125%!

3. Iraq: One of the Top 10 Emerging engines of growth

4. Myanmar: One of the Top 10 Emerging engines of growth

5. Mongolia: My last article on Mongolia focused on the impressive success of Hyundai in this country,  anticipating that the Hyundai Accent and Sonata should be the best-sellers there. BMI indicated that revenues from the mining sector have grown quickly over the last few years, and will continue to do so, from US$1.8 bn in 2012 to just under US$5 bn in 2016, pulling the car market upwards in the process. Sales are becoming more sophisticated, with brands like Porsche establishing themselves in the country. There is also a high potential for local lithium battery manufacturing for electric cars and commercial vehicle manufacturing.

Kenya is one of the world’s Top 10 Emerging engines of growth.
Picture by Antoni Georgiev, all rights reserved.

6. Kenya: As described in my last article about Kenya, local assembly of commercial vehicles – mainly pick-ups is starting to gain momentum in the country and now includes Chinese Foton SUP. BMI predicts sales of Commercial Vehicles in Kenya will grow from 8,000 units in 2011 to 18,000 in 2017, paralleling the growth of the construction sector. Kenya has taken such an advantage over its neighbouring countries as far as vehicle manufacturing is concerned that it could soon behave as a significant regional hub.

See the remaining 4 World’s Emerging engines of growth below.

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Very strong sales in China have pushed the Ford Focus to #1 worldwide

* See the Top 150 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Austin *

Now that September figures are all in, I can share with you the Top 150 most popular cars around the planet in September. May I just stress that these are September figures, not October. The October World Roundup will be published on BSCB over the next few days. Remember this ranking is based on sales in the 60+ countries that are updated monthly on BSCB, except for Ford and Renault/Dacia where sales are official worldwide figures. Massive event in September: benefitting from the Japanese drama in China, the Ford Focus becomes the best-selling model in the world thanks to a huge 95,929 units sold worldwide, helped by over 30,000 sales in China. The Toyota Corolla drops to a distant #2 at 82,074 sales that include the Matrix and Auris versions.

The current gen VW Jetta is called Sagitar in China.

Year-to-date however the Corolla keeps the lead with 864,674 sales vs. 747,228 for the Focus. The Focus domination could go on until the end of the year as sales of Japanese models in China have actually worsened in October… The VW Jetta continues to shine in third position with 69,188 units, note this figure still includes Chinese sales of the 2nd generation 1984 Jetta but these will be removed once the new Chinese Jetta kick-starts later in the year as it is now totally separate from any other Jetta generation sold worldwide (see China: Volkswagen who’s who article for more details). Excellent showing for the VW Golf up 4 spots to #4 and the Hyundai Elantra up one to #5, now helped by a very successful launch of the new generation in China.

This pick-up truck section is brought to you by the Mitsubishi L200

In 7th place we find the Ford F-Series with 66,589 sales, down 3 ranks on last month but still way ahead in the worldwide pick-up truck ranking at 569,906 units year-to-date. The Toyota Hilux excels, up 5 spots to #12 with 52,789, while the Chevrolet Silverado is up one to #18, the Dodge RAM up 3 to #32 and the Isuzu D-Max down 2 to #65. The Nissan Frontier/Navara ranks #90, followed by the Chevrolet Colorado at #110, Toyota Tacoma at #122, Mitsubishi L200 at #155, Toyota Tundra at #158, Fiat Strada at #159 and Ford Ranger at #160.

Get five year pick-up warranty with the Mitsubishi L200…

BMW 3 Series

Back to the overall ranking and the best performers in the Top 50 this month: the Opel/Chevrolet Corsa is up 20 ranks to #19 thanks to a strong UK market, the Hyundai Tucson/ix35 is up a further 4 spots to #21 vs. #35 year-to-date, the Suzuki Wagon R is up 27 to #23 now that Japan and India are back to strong sales, the Mercedes C-Class is up 22 to #34 and the BMW 3 Series up 33 to #35.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Further down, the Toyota Aqua is getting close to the Top 50, up 5 ranks to #53, the Peugeot 208 is up 44 to a best-ever #58, the Hyundai Santa Fe is up a massive 58 spots to #67 thanks to the new generation, the Nissan Note lands at #70 with 19,484 sales mainly due to the new model launched in Japan, the BYD F3 is up 50 spots to reclaim the title of best-selling Chinese passenger car worldwide at #81 thanks to the new ‘Surui’ model, the Subaru Impreza/XV is up 47 ranks to #83 with the launch of the XV in Japan, the Emgrand EC7 is up a brilliant 53 spots to #89, the Great Wall Haval H6 stays in the Top 100 at #98 and the Mazda CX-5 is up 19 to #102. Finally, notice the Mitsubishi Mirage above 10,000 units for the first time at #157.

Note: the Mitsubishi links in this post are sponsored.

Previous post: World 8 months 2012: Discover the Top 170 best-selling models!

Previous month: World August 2012: Discover the Top 150 best-selling models!

Full September 2012 Top 150 Ranking Table below.

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Peugeot 208 & Renault Clio

* See the Top 10 best-selling models and brands by clicking on the title! Thanks to STAC *

Catastrophic month of November so far in France, with new car sales down 26% year-on-year to 66,066 registrations. French manufacturers are the hardest hit as they only represent 42% of sales over the period. Peugeot leads but drops 28%, followed by Renault (-40%) and Citroen (-37%). The best performing carmakers in the Top 10 are Toyota up 13% to #5, Audi down 7% to #9, Volkswagen down 8% to #4 and Ford down 9% to #6. Notice also Dacia down 46% to #7 and Opel down 37% to #10.

Now that the Renault Clio IV is available all across the country, the traditional duel between the Renault and Peugeot superminis begins. This rivalry is almost 30 years in the making and dates back all the way to 1985 when the Renault Supercinq fought the Peugeot 205 for the pole position… So far, Renault leads with 18 years in the top spot (4 for the Supercinq and 14 for the Clio) vs. 9 for Peugeot (3 for the 205, 2 for the 206 and 4 for the 207). Over the period the Peugeot 208 leads with 2,878 sales and 4.4% share vs. 2,566 and 3.9% for the Clio IV.

Peugeot 205 & Renault Supercinq. Picture by T.C.C, all rights reserved.

Illustrating the strength of foreign manufacturers in France, there are 3 imported models in the Top 7: the VW Polo is up to a brilliant 4th position with 1,877 sales and 2.6%, the Ford Fiesta is back up from #12 in October to #6 at 1,525 units and 2.3% thanks to the facelifted model and the VW Golf  ranks 7th with 1,515 units and 2.3% also, up from #18 last month. Notice also the Renault Scenic up to #5 and the Dacia Duster back in the Top 10.

Previous post: France October 2012: Now with actuals and more detail

Previous month: France October 2012: Renault Clio IV up to #4

One year ago: France 14 to 21 November 2012: Renault Twingo up to #2

Full 1-19 November 2012 Top 10 models and brands Ranking Tables below.

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Toyota Hilux. Picture by Abdulmalik Al-Sabeg, all rights reserved. (click to enlarge)

* See the Top 200 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Ldman *

The Gulf Cooperation Council is composed of the sates bordering the Persian Gulf: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. In September new car sales in the region are up a spectacular 36% year-on-year to 134,993 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,102,775 units, up a solid 23% on 2011. Boosted by a record result in Saudi Arabia, the Toyota Hilux delivers what could potentially be its highest monthly volume ever in the region at 13,910 sales and 10.3% share, up 53% on September 2011. Year-to-date, the Hilux has just broken the 100,000 units mark at 100,676 units after 9 months, an astounding result in itself and already up 16% on its Full Year 2011 result (87,117).

Chevrolet Sonic and Toyota Yaris

In fact this month the 7 most popular models in the region are all Toyotas! The Corolla stays #2 with 8,048 sales and 6% (vs. 5.2% YTD), the Camry is up one spot to #3 at 7,657 units and 5.7% (vs. #4 and 4.2% YTD), the Land Cruiser is also up one to #4 with 4,896 sales and 3.6% (vs. #3 and 4.6% YTD), the Prado is down 2 to #5 at 4,724 units and 3.5% (vs. 4.1% YTD), the Yaris up 6 spots to #6 with 3,535 sales and 2.6% and the Land Cruiser Pick-up is up one to #7 at 3,391 units and 2.5%.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Nissan Sunny is the best-selling non-Toyota model in the region this month, up 8 ranks to #8 with 2,946 sales and 2.2%. Other great performers in September include the Hyundai Santa Fe up a huge 31 spots to #17 thanks to the new generation, the Toyota Sequoia up 14 to #26, Kia Frontier up 82 to #48, Toyota Aurion at #53 vs. #70 YTD, Chevrolet Aveo up 55 to #57, GMC Savana up 100 to #68, Hyundai i20 up 5 to #70, Ford Flex up 110 to #86 and Infiniti JX35 up to #140.

Peugeot 208

There are 4 newcomers in the ranking this month: the Chevrolet Colorado ranks #190 with 58 sales, the VW Polo is #207 with 41 units, the Peugeot 208 sells 7 units and the Kia Quoris 2.

Previous month: Gulf August 2012: Toyota Prado and Ford Expedition strong

Previous year: Gulf Full Year 2011: Toyota Hilux, Corolla and Camry on top

Full September 2012 Top 200 Ranking Table below.

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Nissan Altima

* See the Top 80 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Ldman *

The Bahraini new car market is up 28% year-on-year in September to 3,997 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 34,609 units, up a massive 51% on 2011 and in fact already way above the Full Year 2011 total (31,212) after just 9 months… After dropping to #2 for the first time in 2012 last month, the Toyota Land Cruiser reclaims the pole position in September and for the 8th time this year thanks to 259 sales and 6.5%. It is also #1 year-to-date at 3,001 units and 8.7%. The Toyota Prado is down one spot to #2 with 247 sales and 6.9% and also ranks #2 YTD at 2,418 units and 7% share.

Bahrain International Circuit. Picture by Nasser Bouhadoud, all rights reserved.

This month’s best performance is delivered by the Nissan Altima, up 7 ranks to land on the podium at #3 with 201 sales and 5% share vs. #12 and 1.9% YTD. The Hyundai Elantra also shines, up 9 spots to #6 with 3.5% vs. 2.5% YTD. The Nissan Sunny remains solid at #7 while the Mitsubishi L200 is up a mammoth 61 ranks to #12 and the Hyundai Santa Fe reappears in the ranking at #13 thanks to the new generation of the model.

Chevrolet Colorado

Notice also the Hyundai Azera up 46 spots to #16, the Nissan Micra up 32 to #19, Honda City up 4 to #30 vs. #58 YTD, Lexus GS up to #40 and Renault Duster up to #57. The Chevrolet Colorado lands directly at #62 with 14 sales for its first month of presence in the country.

Previous month: Bahrain August 2012: Toyota Prado #1, Hyundai Tucson on podium

Previous year: Bahrain Full Year 2011: Land Cruiser leads, Hyundai Accent shines

Full September 2012 Top 80 Ranking Table below.

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Ford Taurus. Picture courtesy of DriveArabia

* See the Top 100 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Ldman *

New car sales in Qatar are up a massive 38% year-on-year both in September at 7,483 registrations and year-to-date at 61,845 units which is already nearly as much as the entire 2011 figure (62,346). The Toyota Hilux is in pole position for the 6th consecutive month with 616 sales and 8% share vs. 562 and 7.5% for the Toyota Land Cruiser, however this is still not enough for the Hilux to snap the 2012 year-to-date top spot away from the Land Cruiser, leading at 6,266 units and 10.1% vs. 5,857 and 9.5%. Excellent performance of the Nissan Sunny up two spots to land on the podium with 375 sales and 5%.

Doha, Qatar. Picture by Lucie Debelkova, all rights reserved.

The Toyota Prado slides down one rank to #4 at 4.3% but stays #3 year-to-date at 5%. Solid showing for the Hyundai Santa Fe up to #5 at 308 units and 4.1% vs. 2.9% YTD. But the performer of the month is definitely the Ford Taurus, boosted by the arrival of the 2013 model: it is up a huge 57 spots to land in 7th place with 215 sales which represent 73% of its 2012 total. Year-to-date, it now ranks #45 vs. #114 in 2011.

Chevrolet Sonic

Other great performers this month in Qatar include the Nissan Urvan up 7 ranks to #12, the Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-up up 47 to #16, the Chevrolet Sonic up 91 to #22, Mitsubishi Galant up 10 to #25 vs. #79 YTD, Kia Rio up 15 to #26 and the Nissan Pathfinder up 42 to #28.

Previous month: Qatar August 2012: Toyota Hilux leads, Nissan Sunny up to #4

Previous year: Qatar 2011: Toyota Land Cruiser and Hilux on top, Nissan strong

Full September 2012 Top 100 Ranking Table below.

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The new gen Toyota Auris has just launched in Greece.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 38 All-brands ranking! Click on title to see. Thanks to Bill/Yo *

Very quick update on the Greek market midway through November and the situation is getting even worse now. At only 1,020 sales, the new car market in Greece is down 66% year-on-year. The 2012 year-to-date figure now stands at 51,666 units, down 41% on 2011. It is now certain that 2012 will be the first time since 1988 or 24 years that Greek new car sales fall below 60,000 units…

Brand-wise, Toyota leads with 154 sales and 15.5% share (-54%) ahead of Volkswagen at 137 units and 13.4% (-70%) and Opel with 84 sales and 8.2% (-81%). 3 mainstream brands manage to progress year-on-year: Peugeot up 27% to #5, Citroen up 29% to #6 and Mercedes up 20% to #9, with Abarth and Land Rover both up 100% to just 2 units… The hardest hit brands are Subaru, Mazda, Lexus, Jeep and Porsche (all at -100%), Honda (-96%), SsangYong (-92%), Mitsubishi & Daihatsu (-87%), Hyundai (-85%), Ford & Skoda (-81%) and Seat (-80%).

Previous month: Greece October 2012: Toyota Yaris and Citroen C3 shine

One year ago: Greece November 2011: Opel Corsa hits highest ’11 share, Toyota Yaris up

Full mid-November 2012 Top 38 All-brands Ranking Table below.

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Fiat Viaggio

* See the source for this article by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Rosario *

I know a lot of you have been asking for Chinese sales figures for the Fiat Viaggo, given local production started in June and sales in mid-September. Until today no data was available as it seems GAC-Fiat would not communicate anything to Chooseauto which is my source for monthly sales in China. Yesterday however, Italian website Quattroruote.it published a very positive article about the Viaggio’s Chinese sales, quoting Jack Chang – Managing Director of the GAC-Fiat joint venture.

And for the first time Viaggio sales in China are revealed to be 6,000 so far since launch, with the production level currently at 200 per day. Chang says Fiat is now aiming at selling 15,000 units by the end of the year in the 110 Fiat dealerships across the country. Now are these figures strong? The article raves about them but let’s have a closer look and put them into perspective…

Current China post: China October 2012: Ford Focus #1, only one Japanese in Top 50!

One year ago: China October 2011: Baojun 630 and Brilliance H530 take off

See the rest of the article below.

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