Mexico January 2016: Nissan Versa #1, Kia > Hyundai in market up 15%

The Nissan Versa is the best-selling nameplate in Mexico in January. 

* See the Top 40 All-brands and Top 220 models by clicking on the title *

With a little delay we now go into the full detail of Mexican new car sales for January. Building on a year of records in 2015 (12 months out of 12), the Mexican new car market stretches its run even further with an outstanding 15% surge in January to an all-time high 119.703 registrations. Nissan flies just under the radar at +12% but maintains a mammoth 25.5% market share thanks to 30.568 sales above Chevrolet (17.962) and Volkswagen (15.664) both losing share. Honda leaps by a spectacular 41% to 4th place overall (6th in 2015) bypassing Toyota, itself equally impressive at +27%, with Mazda (+44%) at #7 and Dodge (+39%) at #9.

The Sportage (old gen) pushes Kia up to #8 overall in Mexico this month.

The big story in the Top 10 brands this month is the arrival of Kia in 8th position, the first time the Korean manufacturer manages a Top 10 ranking in Mexico, only 6 months after the brand’s launch in the country. Kia manages 3.110 sales and 2.6% share, outselling its parent brand Hyundai for the very first time (#10 with 2.462 and 2.1%, up 62%). Kia’s January performance smashes Hyundai’s Mexican bests of 2.676 sales (December 2015) and 2.3% share (June to September 2015), auguring for a stellar performance by the brand in the near future. Notice also Ram (+55%), Peugeot (+41%), Lincoln (+32%) and Subaru (+29%) posting strong results whereas Jeep (-33%) and Chrysler (-48%) skid off track.

The 15 year-old Nissan Tsuru shines in 4th place overall this month. 

In the models ranking, thanks to sales up 27% year-on-year the Nissan Versa takes the lead for the third time ever after August and September 2015 with 6.687 deliveries and 5.3% share, an impressive 1.5 point of share above the traditional leader the Chevrolet Aveo, slipping down 21% to just 4.967 units and 4.1%. The Nissan Pickup lurks just below at 4.867 sales while the antediluvian Nissan Tsuru is in stellar shape at +14% and 4.841 units sold in 4th place overall (vs. #7 in 2015). The VW Vento (-9%) and Jetta (+76%) follow with the VW Gol (+85%) making an appearance inside the Mexican Top 10 at #9. The Chevrolet Sonic (+349%) misses out on a Top 10 ranking for just 52 sales.

The VW Up has landed in Mexico. 

Further down, the Kia Sportage is up a flamboyant 21 spots on December to break into the Top 20 for the very first time at #17 with 1.724 sales, explaining in large part the outstanding performance of Kia this month (see above). The Honda HR-V is up two ranks to reach a best-ever #18 (also hit last September), the all-new Ford Figo ranks 25th, the Dodge Attitude is #26, the Ram 700 (aka Fiat Strada) is up 138% to #33 and the Hyundai Tucson is up 10 spots to #37. Finally, we welcome the VW Up (#51) and Kia Optima (#185) in the Mexican sales charts this month.

Previous post: Mexico Full Year 2015: 12 months of records lead market up 19%

One year ago: Mexico January 2015: Chevrolet Matiz in Top 10, market up 21%

Full January 2016 Top 40 All-brands and Top 220 models below.