China 6 months 2014: Santana makes it 4 Volkswagens in Top 6

Two generations of VW Santana in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur – China May 2014.

* See the Top 352 All-local models ranking by clicking on the title! *

As is the tradition on BSCB, after exploring in detail June sales in China we now look at the year-to-date ranking to try an extract longer-term trends. As a whole the market is up 11% on the same period in 2013 to 9.634 million units excluding commercial vehicles and imports. Including the latter, we are looking at another record year in 2014 in China with 24-25 million vehicles by the time December comes to an end. In comparison, the US market, in great shape this year, will finish just under 17 million. Very little change in the models Top 10 compared to last month: the Wuling Hongguang still reigns supreme (+49%) ahead of the VW Lavida (+24%) and Ford Focus (+8%) however the Focus overtook the Lavida for the first time in 2014 in June so the 2nd half could see the two models in a tighter race for the 2nd place.

The Haval H6 is the best-selling SUV in China with over 140,000 sales in 6 months.

The VW Santana up a gargantuan 134% and 26 spots year-on-year to #4 at 161,957 sales, the VW Sagitar (+13%) and Jetta (+35%) make it an unbelievable 4 Volkswagens in the Top 6 vs. just two one year ago. A 29% increase in sales to 145,214 enables the Nissan Sylphy to gain two spots and rank #8, remaining by far the best-selling Japanese model in the country and one of only two inside the Top 20 with the Honda CR-V (#19). Consistently excellent over the past 12 months, the Haval H6 accesses the 9th spot so far in 2014 vs. #19 one year ago with sales up 61% to 143,119, becoming the best-selling SUV in the country ahead of the VW Tiguan also in great shape at #12 (+27%).

Kia K3

The Chevrolet Sail (-10 spots to #14) and VW Bora (-7 to #15) are penalised, whereas the Hyundai Verna, boosted by a very strong month of June (#11) becomes the brand’s best-seller in China at #16, overtaking the Elantra Langdong (#17). With the 7th generation now established in dealerships across the country, the VW Golf is up a spectacular 77% and 26 ranks to break into the year-to-date Top 20 for the first time at #20. Compared to last month, both the Kia K3 (#22) and K2 (#25) gain ground while the Honda Crider is not a newcomer anymore (launched in June 2013) but remains the brand’s best-selling sedan at #24 and 81,758 sales above the Accord (#82) and Civic (#101).

ChangAn Eado in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur – China May 2014

Helped by the arrival of the hatchback variant, the ChangAn Eado is now #28 compared to #62 one year ago with sales up 81% to 74,553, earning it the #3 spot among Chinese vehicles. The Chana Honor follows at #29 (+91%) above the Dongfeng Future at #32 (+23%), Emgrand EC7 at #34 (-26%), Roewe 350 at #44 (+14%) and ChangAn CS35 at #47 (+64%). That makes it 8 Chinese models in the Top 50 vs. 11 one year ago.

The Hyundai Mistra is the best-selling newcomer in China so far this year.

Despite being now by far the largest market in the world, China remains also the most dynamic and still among the ones with greatest potential to further increase. One proof: no less than 50 all-new locally produced models have made their appearance in the sales charts over the past 12 months! They are now led by the Hyundai Mistra which like the Honda Crider has created a new segment in-between the Elantra and Sonata, ranking at #35 with 63,222 sales and one of only two newcomers inside the Top 50 along with the Ford Mondeo at #48 and 52,320 units.

FAW Besturn X80

Beyond the #65 rank it gets a little crazy with newbies: the Chery Tiggo 5 is already #66 with 40,832 sales, the Toyota Yaris L lands at #69, the Chery E3 at #74, Beijing Auto Weiwang M20 at #75, Peugeot 301 at #79, Honda Jade at #97, Mazda CX-5 at #110, Brilliance H330 at #112 and Suzuki S-Cross at #118. Notice also the Toyota Vios up 4927% to #37 thanks to the new model, the BMW 3 Series up 44% from #81 to #57, the Audi Q3 from #158 to #64, Ford Ecosport up 102% to #71, Nissan X-Trail up 512% to #76 and the FAW Besturn X80 up 333% to 80.

Previous post: China June 2014: Audi breaks record in market up 11%

Previous month: China 5 months 2014: Wuling Hongguang tests new heights

One year ago: China 6 months 2013: VW Lavida reigns, Nissan Sylphy up 111%

Full 6 months 2014 Top 352 All-models Ranking Table below.