China 2 months 2013: VW Lavida and Ford Focus above the rest

VW Lavida

* See the Top 296 All-models ranking by clicking on the title! *

Now that we have explored the best-sellers in China in February in detail, it’s time to bring back the monthly year-to-date summaries. Over the first two months of 2013 the Chinese new car market is up a solid 15% year-on-year to 3,389,100 registrations. The top of the ranking is completely reshuffled compared to the same time last year with a podium 100% new. Taking advantage of he new generation launched last year, the VW Lavida flies above the radar at a huge 83,156 sales, up 120% year-on-year helped by a record-breaking 48,267 units sold in January.

Nissan Sylphy

The Ford Focus is in the same situation with the new model going on sale last year: it is up a massive 19 ranks compared to the same time in 2012 to #2 at 58,366 units, up 161% year-on-year while the Chevrolet Sail is up one spot and 31% to #3 with 51,464 sales. Then we find two models losing ground: the VW Passat going from #2 to #4 and the Buick Excelle from #1 to #5. The VW Sagitar is up 169%  and 36 ranks to #6, the VW Jetta up 32% and 4 to #7 and the Nissan Sylphy up 113% and 27 to #13.

Kia K3

There are no less than 50 new models in the ranking including 13 in the Top 100, and the best performing of them is the Hyundai Elantra Langdong, landing directly at #14 with 34,772 sales. It is followed by the Kia K3 at #26 and 22,760 units, BYD F3 Surui at #27 and 22,206 sales, Great Wall Haval M4 at #43 and 16,838 units, Venucia R50/D50 at #53 with 14,457 sales, Hyundai Santa Fe at #56 and 13,942 units and the Buick Encore at #60 with 13,318 sales.

Emgrand EC7

As far as Chinese models are concerned, while one year ago there was one representant in the Top 10 (the FAW Xiali at #7), this time the most popular local is the Emgrand EC7 at #17, up 60% year-on-year to 30,073 units, ahead of the Chery QQ coming back up 54% thanks to the new model to #18 with 29,086 sales and the Great Wall Haval H6 at #19 and 26,761 units. Notice also the Great Wall Voleex C30 at #21 and the DongFeng Future at #34 (+66%). Other great performers include the VW Santana up 92% to #32, VW Golf up 52% to #37, BMW 5 Series L up 57% to #38 and Roewe 350 up 64% to #57.

Previous post: China February 2013: Lavida leads, 1 of 6 Volkswagens in the Top 8

Previous month: China January 2013: VW Lavida smashes all-time monthly record

One year ago: China February 2012: Buick Excelle leads, Chevrolet Malibu arrives

Full 2 months 2013 Top 296 All-models Ranking Table below.