Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

Toyota RAV4

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Today I give you the much awaited World roundup for April 2013. After two months of stardom for the Nissan Qashqai, we welcome new faces under the spotlight this month. What makes the headlines in April is the blockbuster performance of the new generation Toyota RAV4 across the planet and two very impressive isolated events delivered by the Nissan Leaf and Audi A3…

A little bit like Iron Man 3 unleashing its power into virtually all countries in the world in the same period, the 4th generation Toyota RAV4, after an 8 year-wait, is now making waves instantaneously in every corner of the globe: it is #2 in Taiwan with 5.1% share, #3 in Puerto Rico, up 16 spots on March to #4 in Norway, up to #6 in New Zealand, up 219% on April 2012 to #8 in Ukraine, up 117% to #10 in Russia, up 38% to #11 in Canada, up 41% to #15 in Australia, up 8 ranks to #16 in Poland and up 22% to #17 in the US… Talk about a multi-pronged attack!

Nissan Leaf

The biggest single event this month is arguably the 2nd place of the Nissan Leaf  in Norway with 3.3% share, by far the model’s best ranking anywhere in the world, and no less than its fourth consecutive record month in Norway, after ranking #4 with 2.8% in March, #5 at 2.5% in February and #9 in January. In fact, Norway is the only country in the world where the Nissan Leaf has managed to break into the monthly Top 10!

Audi A3

Another big single event is the arrival for the very first time of the Audi A3 among the Top 10 best-sellers in Europe at #9 this month, thanks to very strong showings in Germany (#4), the UK (#10) and Switzerland (#8). As an aside, nother landmark for Audi in Aprid is the Q3 breaking into any monthly Top 10 for the first time and it happened in Austria (#8) - note also that the Q3 makes its first appearance in the Chinese ranking at #107 as local production has now started.

Renault Duster

Along with the RAV4 and the Q3, another SUV making headlines worldwide is the Franco-Romanian Renault Duster. It lodges a third month (in the last 4) within the Russian Top 5 and stays within the Indian Top 10 for the 2nd consectutive month. Launched in January, it is already up to #12 in Ireland with almost 2% of the market, while on a Romanian note the Dacia Dokker is up to #5 in Romania and #3 in Bulgaria.

Great Wall Voleex C10

Quick update on the most successful Chinese models overseas: the Great Wall Voleex C10 is up to a best-ever #2 in Bulgaria, the Geely CK maintains itself at #2 year-to-date in Ukraine, the Chery MVM315 (aka Fulwin 2) is up to #4 in Iran and the DongFeng S30 celebrates its 5th consecutive month within the Venezuelan Top 5.

See the Full article by clicking on ‘Read more’ below.

Here is the full last 12 months’ worth of World roundups:

World March 2013 Roundup: Don’t take this the wrong way, but…

World February 2013 Roundup: Nissan Qashqai pumps up the jam

World January 2013 Roundup: Low-cost range brings Renault back

World Full Year 2012 Roundup: Last Year’s Top 5 highlights

World December 2012 Roundup: Has the Chinese invasion started?

World November 2012 Roundup: When Hyundai cracked Brazil

World October 2012 Roundup: China, Japan and Austria in focus

World September 2012 Roundup: Ford Focus shines in China

World August 2012 Roundup: Subaru XV topples almighty Golf in Switzerland

World July 2012 Roundup: Geely CK writes history in Ukraine

World June 2012 Roundup: Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Focus shine

World May 2012 Roundup: GM and Toyota Etios make headlines

See the Full article below.

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Strong full-sized pickup sales are driving the US market to almost 10% growth in 2013.

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Both LMC Automotive/J.D. Power and TrueCar.com predict May US auto sales will rebound from an April slowdown to exceed 1.4 million units, a 9% year-on-year increase. Both companies agree the seasonally adjusted annual selling rate (SAAR) should be 15.2 million. In April the SAAR was 14.9 million, ending five straight months above the 15 million mark which worried analysts because because the previous 3 years had strong first quarters followed by weak springs, said Jeff Schuster, LMC forecasting boss.

As a comparison the SAAR was just 13.9 million one year ago in May 2012.

“This is the time of year when the automotive industry holds its collective breath [but] the current pace suggests full steam ahead for the second half of 2013,” Schuster said. “Economic and market headwinds have been minimized while demand continues to build momentum.” On top of these good news, TrueCar said average incentives are falling which means more profits for car manufacturers.

Previous month: USA April 2013: Hyundai Elantra in Top 10

One year ago: USA May 2012: Chevrolet Malibu hits highest volume in 10 years

Full article below.

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Dacia Logan

* See the Top 50 All-brands ranking by clicking on the title! *

Flying in the face of the overall depressed trend in Europe, new car sales in Belgium are up an impressive 10% year-on-year in April to 53,036 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 202,196 units. Very stable brands podium ranking, identical to both the March and year-to-date ones: Volkswagen leads the way, up 12% to 5,847 sales and 11% share, followed by Renault up 14% to 5,567 units and 10.5% and Peugeot up a more timid 6% to 4,325 sales and 8.2%.

Audi brilliantly gains 3 spots on March to land in 4th position at 6.7% share, while Mercedes is up 40% year-on-year to #9 and 5.1% share. Other big gainers this month include Toyota up 26% to #10, Hyundai up 40% to #12, Dacia up a huge 73% to #13, Kia up 64% to #16, Nissan up 35% to #17 and Honda up 61% to #23.

Previous post: Belgium March 2013: Renault Clio and BMW 3 Series impress

Previous month: Belgium March 2013: Volkswagen and Renault back in charge

Previous year: Belgium Full Year 2012: VW Golf and Renault Megane on top

Full April 2013 Top 50 brands Ranking Table below.

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BMW 3 Series GT

* See the Top 32 All-brands ranking by clicking on the title! *

At just -4% year-on-year to 8,032 registrations in April, Portuguese new car sales confirm they may finally have bottomed out, as the 2013 year-to-date remains in positive at +1% and 32,179 units. Is this finally the end of the tunnel for the car market in Portugal, after  falling by 31% in 2011 and by a further 38% in 2012 to drop below 100,000 annual units for the first time since 1985? The next few months will tell us. Note that if Light Commercial Vehicles are added, the market is down 1% to 36,893 registrations year-to-date. In second place in 2012 and up to last month, Volkswagen reclaims the Portuguese brands ranking pole position both in April thanks to 813 sales and 10.1% and year-to-date at 3,226 units and 10%. Renault ranks #2 both times with 767 sales and 9.5% (-27%) and 3,207 and 10% (-6%).

Exceptional performance of BMW, managing to climb onto this month’s podium at 710 units and a huge 8.8% share, up 24% year-on-year, however most of is potentially fleet sales. BMW is up 21% year-to-date but still #4 like in 2012. Mercedes also shines: up 22% in April and 30% year-to-date to rank 5th each time. Notice also Nissan up 17%, Seat up 33%, Honda up 16%, Alfa Romeo up 64% and Dacia up 52%.

Previous post: Portugal March 2013: Renault Clio #1, Mercedes A-Class #9!

Previous month: Portugal March 2013: Renault and Volkswagen dominate

One year ago: Portugal April 2012: Peugeot 208 lands at world-best 4th place!

Full April 2013 Top 32 brands Ranking Table below.

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Honda Accord

* See the Top 15 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

California is the largest new car market in the USA and over the first Quarter of 2013 it is up a massive 13% year-on-year to 403,658 registrations, to be compared with +7% in the USA overall. Toyota doesn’t separate sales of different Prius models so as a result the Prius family is once again the best-selling ‘model’ in the State with 15,661 sales and 3.9% share. However the Honda Accord can be considered the most popular unique model here thanks to 15,369 units sold and 3.8% share, passing the Toyota Camry (now #5) and Honda Civic (now #3) that were both above it both over the Full Year 2012 and Q4 2012.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla also registers a very impressive gain, up to #4 with 14,188 sales and 3.5% vs. 2.2% over Q4. This means the 5 most popular cars in California over the period are all Japanese. In fact, Japanese brands represent 48% of the Californian car market vs. 37% in the US as a whole, while US brands account for 28% of sales vs. 45% and European marques are at 16% vs. 9%… The Ford F-Series remains the best-selling domestic model, up one spot on 2012 to #6 at 8,806 units and 2.2%.

Tesla Model S

In fact Ford brings two additional models in the Californian Top 15 this year: the Focus is up to #10 with 6,637 sales and the Fusion is up to #12 at 6,507 units. With the Chevrolet Silverado at #14 this makes 4 US models in the Top 15 vs. just two last year. Would American brands be starting to reclaim Los Angeles streets? Notice also the Nissan Altima up to #7 and the Tesla Model S selling 2,406 units or roughly half of all its total US sales over the period!

Previous post: California (USA) Full Year 2012: Toyota Prius new leader

Previous Quarter: California (USA) Q4 2012: BMW 3 Series and Mercedes E-Class up

Full Q1 2013 Top 15 Ranking Table below.

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Ford Explorer

* See the Top 270 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

Check out Mid West Title Loans here!

Now that we have gone through the Top 258 All-models ranking for April, as usual let’s explore the year-to-date ranking in more detail to extract longer-term trends. Overall the US market is up a very robust 7% year-on-year to 4,974,000 registrations, and the Top 2 best-sellers are doing better and better as the year advances: the Ford F-Series is up 19% over the period to 227,873 sales while the Chevrolet Silverado is up an even more impressive 23% to 156,044 units. For the Toyota Camry it’s a different story: sales are down 3% to 132,540 units but it has managed to stave off the Honda Accord for now (121,965, +26%) to keep the title of most popular Passenger Car.

Lexus ES sales are up 90% in the US over the period…

You can check out great deals on Volkswagen Exhaust System Parts here.

In fact, the Camry is only one of 3 models to lose ground year-on-year in the Top 10 with the Nissan Altima and Honda Civic, both at -3%. The Ford Fusion (+25%) and Escape (+31%) are still at record levels while the Hyundai Elantra is not faring too badly either at +29%, helped by a Top 10 spot in April. The Dodge Avenger is up 30% to #32 but the title of best progression in the Top 50 goes to the Ford Explorer, up 34% to #18 with 62,853 sales.

The Acura RDX is up 171%

As it’s been the case each month this year so far, the Dodge Dart is the best performing all-new model, now ranking #50 with 31,064 sales, but I have said this and I will say it again: this does not make it a success, as Fiat-Chrysler was banking on it to shake the ranking a little more… There are still only two newcomers in the Top 100 but the Subaru XV Crosstrek has now improved to #89 and the Ford C-Max is not far at all anymore, in fact ranking #101. It is followed by the Cadillac ATS at #106, Chevrolet Spark at #108, Cadillac XTS at #122 and Buick Encore at #130.

US Toyota Avalon sales are up 84% so far in 2013…

Notice also the Nissan Pathfinder up 181% to #55, the Mazda CX-5 up 221% to #65, Toyota Avalon up 84% to #66, Lexus ES up 90% to #70, Buick Verano up 85% to #90, VW Beetle up 103% to #97, Acura RDX up 171% to #102, the Tesla Model S estimated to rank #142, Nissan Leaf up 160% to #162 and the Hyundai Azera up 270% to #172.

Previous post: USA April 2013: Hyundai Elantra in Top 10

Previous month: USA 3 months 2013: Ford Fusion and Escape at record levels

One year ago: USA April 2012: Toyota Prius up to record 5th place

Full 4 months 2013 Top 270 Ranking Table below.

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Chery QQ in Yangon, Myanmar

* See the Full photo album by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Ryusuke *

Information about the Myanmar new car market is slowly but surely trickling down, and now thanks to the hard work of Ryusuke I can share with you a photo album of the streets of the capital Yangon. As detailed in one of my previous Myanmar updates, with the government now selling import licenses to vehicle owners that turn over their junkers for smelting, new cars are now starting to be more frequent in the streets.

Toyota Carina in Yangon, Myanmar

And Ryusuke’s photos confirm the Chery QQ is now a very common sights in Yangon, mainly as a taxi. As you know if you are a regular reader of BestSellingCarsBlog, QQ owners can easily rent the cars for K15,000 (US$17) a day to taxi drivers… An interesting motivation to want to own a car!

Street scene in Yangon, Myanmar

Now there are still many well travelled Toyota Corolla, Camry and Probox station wagons in the streets. But as far as new cars are concerned, we can start to notice the Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Toyota Alphard and Honda Civic finding their way, as well as the Kia Bongo pick-up…

Previous Myanmar posts:

Myanmar: One of the Top 10 ‘Emerging engines of growth’

Myanmar 2012: Chery QQ3 the new favourite

Myanmar: More information needed.

Full photo album below.

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Bob Graziano: “Manufacturing in Australia is no longer viable”

Breaking news: In a press conference that started 30 minutes ago, Ford Australia President and CEO Bob Graziano has announced that Ford is pulling out of manufacturing cars in Australia in October 2016. Graziano has confirmed local production of the Falcon, Falcon ute and Territory will continue until then, but these are models that are almost solely sold in Australia so the volumes will be low.

Why do I write about this now? Simply because Ford had been a huge part of the automotive culture in the country, manufacturing cars in Australia since 1925 when it assembled the legendary Model T. Ford is considered an Australian brand here, in the same way it is considered an English brand in the UK. So this event is similar to Volkswagen announcing they stop manufacturing in Germany, Ford pulling out of the US or Renault giving up producing cars in France…

First generation 1960 Ford Falcon

This announcement comes as most global manufacturers are adding hundreds of thousands of production capacity in China, as I detailed in my “China: Return to explosive growth predicted” article yesterday. Among them, Ford will be doubling its production capacity there by 2015 to reach 1.2 million annual units.

The main two reasons for this pull out are market fragmentation and production costs. If you are a regular reader of BestSellingCarsBlog, this would not come as a surprise. Ford’s traditional local best-seller the Falcon has seen its sales drop by 81% over the last decade, going from 73,220 units in 2003 (#2) to just 14,036 in 2012 (#21) and hitting a lowest-ever 717 units in April, which placed it outside the Top 30 most popular models in the country.

Ford Falcon (current generation)

Ford Falcon sales in blue. Graph by Josh Gregg, click for larger version.

Bob Graziano announced that the Falcon nameplate will be retired when production ceases in October 2016, putting an end to 56 years of activity in what was the longest-running nameplate in Australia and one of the longest ones in the world. As a brand, Ford had been on the Australian podium for the best part of the last 90 years, but is down to #6 year-to-date in 2013, below Toyota, Mazda, Holden, Hyundai and Nissan.

More details below.

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Picture courtesy of investgazeta.net, all rights reserved.

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China became the largest automotive market in the world in 2009 while the US fell into recession. However since then, Chinese sales slowed from the strong double-digit growth of 2009 and 2010. This slowdown is about to be over, according to Ryan Cui, an analyst with LMC Automotive, who told China Daily passenger vehicle sales will rebound to 10.5% growth this year and a stable increase will continue in the next 4 to 5 years. Even more telling, LMC doesn’t foresee any chance of a decline, which is confirmed by Lin Huaibin from IHS Automotive who said that a falling market “is impossible” unless the nation’s economic fundamentals change.

Volkswagen unveiled the Cross Blue Coupe at the Shanghai Motor Show this year…

There are two explanations for this return to explosive growth.

First, even after a decade of extremely strong sales, still only about 67 of every 1,000 people in China now have a car. This is to be compared to 600 cars per thousand people in many European countries and 800 per thousand in America. According to Bertel Schmidt from The Truth About Cars, China’s car growth is directly connected to the economy and most car sales still are in cash, so Chinese consumers tend to save when darker clouds appear on the economic horizon. As business picks up in China, car sales should follow.

…while Ford unveiled the Escort concept at the same Show.

Second, the main foreign manufacturers present in China are ramping up production at unprecedented levels, adding over 3 million annual vehicles over the next 2 to 3 years! For example, by 2015 Volkswagen will have no less than 12 vehicle plants in China and Ford will have doubled its annual capacity to 1.2 million… See the detail by manufacturer below.

Full article below.

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M-Org

With skyrocketing fuel costs and a weak economy, many individuals around the world are searching for ways to save money. For the solo rider, purchasing a motorcycle has become a popular choice for saving on gas. Boasting of up to 90 miles per gallon, scooters and motorcycles are able to save on fuel costs. In recent years, a new motorcycle goes above and beyond typical eco-friendly bikes. Dubbed the Organic Bike, this motorcycle combines the thrill of riding with an environmentally stable design. Get yourself some cheap bike insurance to cover your motorbike at www.ExpressInsurance.co.uk.

Organic Bike: Designed by the Russian, Michael Smolyanov, the Organic Bike’s official name is M-Org. It was designed to combine the concepts of organic gardening with teeth-rattling horsepower. This exceptional bike looks like something out of a superhero movie, but drives like a dream. Smolyanov produced a bike that was both green in color and green in design. It is comprised of completely organic materials and boasts of a larger-than-life style. Since the steering components and suspension are made of entirely organic materials, the bike is far lighter than it appears. This helps to make it efficient on gas mileage and easier for smaller riders to handle.

Frog eBike

The Frog eBike: Another technologically innovative bike is the Frog eBike by Kin Soek Hwang. It combines the latest electric concepts with efficiency. This bike contains an electric engine and mono-shock suspension on its rear wheel. Designed to be environmentally friendly, the bike has an electric motor placed near its back tire while the battery it uses is under the chassis. Based off of the Yamaha FZ750, the bike is not going to be ridden any time soon. This fully recyclable design is currently display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art as a symbol of innovation and technology.

Yamaha EC-Miu

A Bike to watch out for: In upcoming years, the eco-friendly bike to look out for is the EC-Miu Electric Concept. Designed by Yamaha, this bike is intended to be the first fully electric bike ever manufactured. Yamaha has been working on this project as an effort to show the efficiency of an e-bike. To enhance stability, the bike is outfitted with two wheels in bike instead of just one. The concept originated as a way to make motorcycles friendlier to women. Each component of the bike was created to emphasize safety and ergonomics. Once the bike is in production, it can be charged at G-Stations. For the techies out there, the EC-Miu Electric Concept will be outfitted with Wi-Fi capability. Riders will be able to look up directions and navigate from any location using their smartphone.

From eco-friendly designs to organic structures, motorcycles are quickly becoming one of the best ways to support the environment. These new design concepts are easy on the eye and boast of significant cost savings on gas. For new riders, the technological features on the motorcycles can help lower car insurance and make the bikes easier to handle. With designs spanning the globe, the new pinnacle of the motorcycle world is sure to be an international one.