Egypt May 2014: First appearance of the new Chevrolet Optra

Chevrolet Optra

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 15 brands and Top 150 All-models! Thanks Ldman *

The Egyptian new car market is up a cool 22% year-on-year in May to 23,566 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 108,806 units, up 26% on 2013. The Hyundai Verna edges back past the Chevrolet TFR to reclaim the models charts leadership this month thanks to 1,994 sales and 8.5% vs. 1,951 and 8.3% for the TFR. The Verna’s year-to-date lead is as slim: 9,859 sales vs. 9,811. The Geely Emgrand 7 is up 3 spots on April to jump back onto the podium for the first time this year at #3 but remains #4 year-to-date below the Nissan Sunny. Notice also the Skoda Octavia up 9 ranks to #12, Mitsubishi Lancer EX up 24 to #18, the Chevrolet Cruze back in the ranking at #26 and the Peugeot 2008 up 44 spots to #44.

Geely SC5

Arguably the most interesting event in this month’s ranking in Egypt is the arrival of the new generation Chevrolet Optra, for now at a modest 46th spot with 110 sales and 0.5% share. Those eagle-eyed among you will have recognised the new Optra as being none other than a badge-engineered Baojun 630, SAIC-GM’s low-cost Chinese sedan. Chevrolet has started importing the China-built Baojun 630 into Egypt and a few other Northern African countries including Algeria so we may see it pop up in a few additional ranking in the coming months. The other two notable new entrants in this month’s Egyptian ranking are the Mitsubishi Attrage at #27 and the Geely SC5 at #107.

Peugeot is up 137% year-on-year in May in Egypt, mainly thanks to the 301.

In the brands ranking, Chevrolet reigns supreme with 24.4% of the May Egyptian market ahead of Hyundai at 14%, Nissan at 9.9% and Toyota at 8.5%. The emergence of Geely is striking: the Chinese manufacturer is up 51% year-on-year in May and 139% year-to-date to 5th place in both ranking with 6.7% share in May and 6% year-to-date. Notice also Peugeot up a massive 137% to #8, now above Renault, Skoda up 213% and Golden Dragon up 428%. Reversely Kia is down 25%, Renault down 27%, Mitsubishi down 31% and Speranza (rebranded Chery) down a harsh 46%.

Previous month: Egypt April 2014: Chevrolet TFR and Hyundai Verna neck-to-neck

One year ago: Egypt June 2013: Geely Emgrand EC7 on the podium

Full May 2014 Top 150 All-models and Top 15 brands Ranking Tables below.