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Russia First Half 2018: Discover the All-models ranking (BSCB Exclusive)

The Toyota Fortuner is the best-selling new launch in Russia this year. Picture zr.ru

* See the Top 320 All-models ranking table by clicking on the title *

As is the tradition on BSCB, twice a year we have access to a complete models ranking for Russia, a fascinating exercise. Firstly light commercials have been added to the ranking (they are not included in the official monthly AEB reports) but this time that means only one change in the Top 25: the GAZ Gazelle up 8% but down one spot to #7, as the UAZ Bukhanka sinks 31% and 14 ranks to #38. Interestingly, the Hyundai Tucson (+101%) misses out on a no LCV Top 25 by only one sale at 10.218 units vs. 10.218 (+27%) for the Mazda CX-5… Just below, notice the Kia Optima (+86%), Kia Soul (+82%), Kia Sorento (+75%), Toyota Prado (+56%), Nissan Terrano (+34%) and Ford Kuga (+33%) all posting spectacular gains in the Top 40. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (+375%) and Skoda Kodiaq (+897%) shine in the remainder of the Top 50.

The Lifan X70 and Myway are instant blockbusters in Russia. Pictures zr.ru

The Toyota Fortuner is the best-selling recent launch (<12 months) over the period, landing directly at #52 with over 3.000 units sold in Russia. It distances the UAZ Profi (#71), Lifan Myway (#83) and Renault Dokker (#91). The Lifan X70 for its part is the most successful 2018 launch so far at #105 with 1.132 sales, ahead of the Kia Stinger (#124), Geely Atlas aka Boyue (#132), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (#136), VW Teramont (#158), Jaguar E-Pace (#168), BMW X2 (#182), Toyota C-HR (#205), Peugeot 5008 (#206), Citroen C3 Aircross (#208) and Mercedes X-Class (#229).

The VW Teramont and Hawtai Laville have landed in Russia. Pictures zr.ru

The Chinese remain very active in Russia but see their best-sellers completely reshuffled. The new best-seller is the Chery Tiggo 3 at #77 (+100%), followed by the Lifan Myway at #83 (new), the Lifan X50 at #87 (-22%), Lifan Solano at #101 (-29%), Lifan X60 at #102 (-65%), Lifan X70 at #105 (new), Haval H6 at #114 (+28%), Chery Tiggo 5 at #118 (+4%), Changan CS35 at #128 (-15%) and Geely Atlas at #132 (new). Notable improvers include the FAW Besturn X80 up 407% to #134, the Haval H9 up 149% to #195 and Foton Sauvana up 202% to #199. Finally, notice the arrival of the Hawtai Laville at #263: under this French-sounding name hides in fact the Shengdafei.

Previous post: Russia First Half 2018: Lada at highest in 7 years, market up 18.2%

One year ago: Russia First Half 2017: Discover the All-models ranking (BSCB Exclusive)

Full H1 2018 Top 320 All-models ranking vs. Full H1 2017 figures below.

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Japan First Half 2018: Nissan Note set for historical annual win

The Nissan Note is set to become only the second non-Toyota nameplate to rank #1 in 50 years.

* Now updated with the Top 62 brands, Top 50 regular cars, Top 35 kei cars and Top 20 foreigners *

After stretching its legs last year wiht a 9.2% surge, the Japanese new vehicle market falls back to earth in 2018, dropping 1.8% or 50.000 units to 2.732.478. Two carmakers are responsible for this decline: Toyota down 9.2% or 78.000 units to 28% share vs. 30.3% over the same period a year ago and Subaru down 20.2% or 20.000 sales to 2.8% share vs. 3.5% in 2018. The market bar these two brands is actually up 2.6%… Honda (+2.4%) and Suzuki (+4.4%) post solid gains to close out the podium like last year, and in fact the entire Top 10 is unchanged on H1 2017. Mitsubishi (+16.2%) is by far the best performing Top 10 carmaker ahead of Mazda (+7.5%) and Hino (+5.4%) with Daihatsu (+1.7%) also in positive and ending the period just 883 sales below Nissan (-2.3%) while Isuzu (-11.7%) struggles. Just outside the Top 10, Lexus (+49.5%) delivers the best performance of any Japanese brand this year so far.

Thanks to the Eclipse Cross, Mitsubishi lodges the largest year-on-year gain in the Top 10.

Mercedes (-0.6%) remains the most popular foreign carmaker in Japan but drops one spot on a year ago to #12, passed by Lexus in the premium order. Volkswagen (+1.9%) and BMW (-7.8%) also both step down one spot because of Lexus with BMW outselling Volkswagen in June. Audi (+4.4%), Mini (+2.4%), Volvo (+10.8%), Jeep (+13.2%) and Peugeot (+32.7%) follow, all outpacing the market, while further down McLaren (+65.7%), Alfa Romeo (+62.2%), Chevrolet (+57.8%), Lotus (+51.1%), Citroen (+32.2%), Land Rover (+21.7%), Cadillac (+15.7%) and Lamborghini (+14.3%) are among the best performers.

The Honda Fit (in 2002 and 2008) is the only non-Toyota model to have ranked #1 in the past 50 years.

Model-wise, it’s a full-on earthquake we’re witnessing, with the Nissan Note slated to snap its very first annual win despite a 13% year-on-year drop to 73.380 sales. If held until the end of the year, the Note would be the first non-Toyota to top the annual regular car charts in a decade and only the second non-Toyota nameplate to rank #1 in 50 years alongside the Honda Fit in 2002 and 2008. As a reminder, the Toyota Corolla led from 1969 to 2001 and 2003 to 2007, the Prius from 2009 to 2012, 2016 and 2017 and the Aqua from 2013 to 2015 – you can consult 1969-2017 Historical Japanese car sales here (keep in mind we are talking regular cars here, not including kei cars). Paradoxically, the Note only ranked #1 in Japan from January to March this year, with the Toyota Aqua taking the relay since thanks to a mid-life facelift. Meanwhile the Prius tumbles down 30% to #3, losing its main point of difference as its hybrid technology is now available in all other Toyota nameplates.

The Nissan Leaf more than doubles its sales over the period thanks to the new model.

The next three best-sellers all gain volume year-on-year and progress in the ranking: they are the Nissan Serena (+3%), Honda Fit (+4%) and Toyota Voxy (+8%) with the Toyota Roomy (+15%) posting the largest gain in the Top 10. In contrast, the Toyota C-HR (-48%), Honda Freed (-28%), Toyota Vitz (-18%) and Toyota Sienta (-16%) all fall heavily. Further down, notice the Toyota Camry (+1114%), Lexus NX300H (+133%), Nissan Leaf (+103%), Toyota Land Cruiser W (+69%), Honda StepWGN (+45%), Daihatsu Thor (+34%), Mazda CX-3 (+31%), Toyota Noah (+15%) and Toyota Alphard (+13%) all posting robust improvements. No less than six brand new nameplates manage to climb into the Top 50, led by the Mazda CX-8 (#28) and Suzuki Xbee (#29) with the Honda Civic (#37), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (#42), Lexus NX300 (#48) and Lexus LS500H (#50) in tow.

The Suzuki Spacia is up 38% to rank #2 kei car so far in 2018 thanks to a new generation.

In the kei cars ranking, the Honda N-BOX (+20%) cements its leadership thanks to a very solid gain and is followed this year by the Suzuki Spacia soaring 38% and three spots over the same period a year ago to #2. The Daihatsu Move (+3%) overtakes both the Daihatsu Tanto (-11%) and Nissan Dayz (-6%) to land on the third step of the poiudm. Below, only the Daihatsu Mira (+10%) and Suzuki Wagon R (+8%) post positive results with the remainder of the Top 10 in negative, notably the Suzuki Hustler (-22%). Further down, the Daihatsu Atrai Wagon (+89%), Mazda Flair Wagon (+72%), Honda N-ONE (+46%), Toyota Pixis (+31%) and Subaru Pleo (+19%) make themselves noticed.

First half-year Top 20 ranking for the Jeep Wrangler in Japan.

The Mini (+2%) remains the best-selling foreign model in Japan over the period, mainly because there’s no split between different models. The VW Golf catches up at +7% and ends the Semester less than 650 sales off the Mini. The Mercedes C-Class (+7%) and E-Class (-13%) camp on their positions despite diverging behaviours, while the Volvo V40 (+11%) is the only nameplate in positive inside the Top 10, with the BMW 3 Series (-28%), Audi A3 (-16%), VW Polo (-13%) and BMW 2 Series (-12%) hit the hardest. Further down, the Mercedes GLC (+27%) and Volvo S/V60 (+14%) shine, while we welcome the Audi Q2 (#18) and Jeep Wrangler (#19) for the first time in a Japanese half-year Top 20.

Previous post: Japan June 2018: Lexus, Mazda defy market down 5%, Toyota down 16.3%

One year ago: Japan First Half 2017: Toyota C-HR storms into third place, Prius #1

Full H1 2018 Top 62 brands, Top 50 regular cars, Top 35 kei cars and Top 20 foreigners vs. Full H1 2017 figures below.

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Japan June 2018: Toyota down 16.3%, Lexus, Mazda up

Lexus sales surge 25.6% year-on-year in June.

* Now updated with See the Top 55 All-brands, Top 50 regular cars, Top 33 kei cars and Top 15 foreigners *

The Japanese new car market posts an 8th year-on-year decline in the past 9 months in June, down a severe 5% to 453.765 units and pulling the year-to-date tally down 1.8% to 2.732.478. Brand leader Toyota is hit full frontal with deliveries down a very steep 16.3% yet its market share remains above its YTD level at 28.5% vs. 28% so far this year. Despite the surrounding gloom, there’s no shortage of dynamic brands in the Top 10, led by Mazda (+16.1%), Mitsubishi (+12.4%), Hino (+12.1%) and Suzuki (+9%). In contrast, Subaru (-24.3%) and Daihatsu (-8.2%) struggle as does #1 foreigner Mercedes (-7.1%) despite returning inside the Top 10 for the first time since last December at #10. Further down, Alfa Romeo (+77.4%), Jaguar (+48.3%), Citroen (+28%), Lexus (+25.6%), Volvo (+23.1%), Peugeot (+21.3%) and Jeep (+11%) post some of the largest gains in market.

Toyota sales are down 16.3% despite the arrival of the new Corolla Sport hatchback…

Over in the regular car sales charts, the Toyota Aqua threepeats in pole position for the first time since November 2015 thanks to deliveries edging up 2%, but the Nissan Note (-2%) is only 317 units below and cements its YTD lead. The Toyota Prius (-45%) is in freefall whereas the Nissan Serena (+27%) and Toyota Roomy (+21%) post the largest gains in the Top 10. The Toyota Corolla (+4%) climbs back up 5 spots on May to hit its highest ranking at home since last November at #6 thanks to the arrival of the new generation hatch dubbed Corolla Sport.

…and the new generation Crown.

Further down, notice the Honda StepWGN (+45%), the Toyota Crown up 43% thanks to the new model, the Suzuki Swift (+33%), Toyota Alphard (+28%) and Mazda CX-5 (+20%) impressive in the Top 30 while among smaller volumes the Toyota Camry (+6795%), Mazda Atenza (+275%), Subaru Levorg (+213%), Mazda CX-3 (+126%) and Honda Grace (+87%) impress. The Suzuki Xbee (#29) leads recent launches just above the Mazda CX-8 (#30) and Honda Civic (#35) while the Daihatsu Boon (+32%) makes its very first appearance in the monthly ranking since we expanded our Japan coverage from the Top 30 to the Top 50 in January. Over in the kei car aisle, the Honda N-BOX (+17%) and Suzuki Spacia (+54%) easily outsell the best-selling regular cars but 7 out of the 10 best-sellers are in negative in June. The Mazda Flair Wagon (+115%), Honda N-ONE (+23%) and Mitsubishi eK (+20%) also shine.

First Top 20 ranking in Japan for the BMW X3.

Quarterly sales data is now available for foreign models, and sees the Mini (+3%, no sales split for the Countryman) reclaim the advantage over the VW Golf (+13%) with the Mercedes C-Class (+15%) rounding up the podium and the VW Polo surging 45% to #4 thanks to the new model. The Audi A3 (+12%) rallies back up 9 spots on Q1 to #6, knocking the Volvo V40 (+26%) down to #7, the Volvo S/V60 (+36%) is up 6 ranks to #11 and the Mercedes GLC up 25% to #13. The Jeep Wrangler posts its second ever Quarterly Top 20 ranking after Q3 2016 at #17, as for the BMW X3, it breaks into the Japanese Quarterly Top 20 for the very first time at #20.

Previous month: Japan May 2018: Toyota Aqua repeats at #1, Suzuki, Lexus impress

One year ago: Japan June 2017: Toyota Prius, C-HR, Vitz lead in market up 13.4%

Full June 2018 Top 52 All-brands, Top 50 regular cars and Top 33 kei cars, Full Q2 2018 Top 15 foreigners below.

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Austria June 2018: Volkswagen up 27% in market up 7.3%

Third 5th place ranking in a row for the VW T-Roc in Austria.

* See the Top 50 All-brands and Top 305 All-models by clicking on the title *

The Austrian new car market gains 7.3% year-on-year in June to 38.015 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 3.4 to 192.861. The entire brands podium easily outpaces the market, starting with Volkswagen up an impressive 27% to 20.4% share vs. 18.2% so far in 2018. Skoda (+16%) follows at 7% share vs. 7.5% YTD while Renault (+20%) climbs onto the June podium at 6.2% share vs. #5 and 5.6% so far this year. Below, only BMW (+12%) and Seat (+8%) beat the market whereas Ford (-18%), Opel (-10%) and Mercedes (-5%) struggle. Further down, Subaru (+96%), Jeep (+63%), Mitsubishi (+52%), Smart (+38%), Dacia (+19%), Lada (+14%), Porsche (+13%) and Peugeot (+12%) stand out. Model-wise, the VW Golf (-2%) remains in the lead ahead of the VW Polo (-7%) and Skoda Octavia (+8%) with the VW Tiguan (+41%) and T-Roc rounding up the Top 5. As a reminder, Austria is one of only two countries in the world with Switzerland where the VW T-Roc has managed to break into the monthly Top 5. The remainder of the Top 10 is on fire: the Hyundai i30 (+140%), Hyundai Tucson (+72%), VW Bus (+58%), Renault Clio (+27%) and Skoda Fabia (+20%) all post spectacular gains.

Previous month: Austria May 2018: Volkswagen monopolises Top 5 again

One year ago: Austria June 2017: Discounted VW Polo surges 82% to #2

Full June 2018 Top 50 All-brands and Top 305 All-models below.

(more…)

Uruguay June 2018: Volkswagen defies market down 39.1%

Volkswagen limits its fall to -7% in Uruguay in June, resulting in a 18.9% share.

* See the Top 45 All-brands ranking by clicking on the title *

2018 is turning out to be a year to forget for Uruguayan new car sales with June bringing a 5th consecutive year-on-year decline and the steepest so far at -39.1% to just 3.024 units, pulling the YTD volume down 14.8% to 22.335. Volkswagen (-7%) resists very well to remain in the brands lead with a smashing 18.9% share vs. 13.1% so far in 2018. Renault (-30%) rallies back up two spots on May to #2, holding onto the YTD lead at 14.1% share (+54%). Nissan (+4%) is the only carmaker in positive in the Top 6, gaining two ranks on May to #3. Suzuki (-39%), Fiat (-59%) and Chevrolet (-67%) sink while Toyota (+11%) and Hyundai (+1%) also manage a positive result inside the Top 10. Further down, Lifan surges 51% to land in 11th place with 2.1% share, with Haima (+150%), Subaru (+83%), JMC (+50%), Kia (+16%), BMW (+13%) and Mitsubishi (+8%) also advancing.

Previous month: Uruguay May 2018: Volkswagen, Fiat and Suzuki in photo finish

One year ago: Uruguay June 2017: Chevrolet up 3-fold to snap pole position

Full June 2018 Top 45 All-brands ranking below.

(more…)

China June 2018: Focus on the All-new models

Leopaard Mattu

Now that June China sales are out of the way, we focus on the all-new locally produced launches for the month so you can remain on the bleeding edge of the fastest-evolving market in the world. Note these updates remain based on wholesales data. Although this month SUVs see their first year-on-year decline in a whopping 9 years, the nameplates launched this month were conceived months ago and are still dominated by SUVs at 4 out of 6, with sedans the remaining two. Keep track of the fast-expanding list of all active Chinese brands by consulting our Exclusive Guide to all 174 Chinese Brands, updated live.

1. Chery Tiggo 8 (#109 – 5.220 sales)

The Tiggo 8, presented at the Beijing Auto Show last April, tops Chery’s Tiggo SUV lineup, a group of cars that have been named logically and satisfyingly, which is actually pretty rare for a Chinese brand, and that now includes the Tiggo 3, 3x, 5, 5x and 7. Disappointingly, despite being 4.70m long and the new jewel of the Chery crown, the Tiggo 8 remains a 5-seater. It is powered by a choice of two engines: a 137 hp 2.0L DVVT or a 155 hp 1.6L Turbo. Its price point, from 98.800 to 142.800 yuan (US$14.600-21.100, 12.500-18.100€), means the Tiggo 8 is thrown in the deep end of the Chinese SUV pool already swarming with hungry sharks: it will compete with no less than the ultimate blockbusters in the segment, such as the Haval H6 (103.000-146.800 yuan), Changan CS75 (79.800-184.800 yuan), Roewe RX5 (99.800-188.800 yuan), Geely Boyue (98.800-188.800 yuan) or Geely Emgrand GS (77.800-116.800 yuan).

Chery Tiggo 8 interior. Picture autohome.com.cn

The Tiggo 8’s entrance in the wholesales charts this month is already impressive at over 5.000 sales: in the Tiggo lineup, only the 3/3x does better in June (6.665) only thanks to the new 3xe electric variant (1.837). All other Tiggo variants are outsold for June: the 5x (3.460), 7 (2.830) and 5 (2.000)… So this is a good start, but Chery will need this level to be at least maintained and at best overcome to find its way back towards growth. Adding to the challenge is the fact Tiggo models tend to hit their highest at or near launch, such as the Tiggo 5x which could never beat the 10.693 units it sold for its inaugural month in December 2017, or the Tiggo 7 whose personal best was reached on Month 4 at 11.039 in December 2016. As for the Tiggo 3 (17.081 in December 2015) and TIggo 5 (12.469 in December 2014), their record volumes have long been forgotten.

Bar for success: 7.500 monthly units

2. Changan Eado DT (#128 – 4.341 sales)

Changan continues to update the design of its entire lineup under the pen of David Hilton who previously created the spectacular NIO EP9. After the new Raeton CC and the new Eado and Eado XT, here comes the Eado DT which is in fact an update version of the Yuexang V7 aligning the model with the new Changan identity with a gaping X-shape grille that hints of Lexus and Mitsubishi. Chinese sedans are dirt cheap, and the Eado DT is no exception, priced from 54.900 to 80.900 yuan (US$8.100-11.950 or 6.950-10.250€), to be compared with its big sister the Eado at 71.900-105.900 yuan. The Eado will compete squarely with the Geely Vision (53.900-72.900 yuan), but thanks to a much improved interior quality that places it among the best in the segment, it will also try and steal sales from the Hyundai Reina (49.900-73.900 yuan), its twin the Kia Pegas (same price range) and the Chevrolet Sail (63.900-79.900 yuan).

Changan Eado DT interior. Picture autohome.com.cn

As for volumes, the benchmark for the Eado DT is obviously its predecessor the now discontinued Yuexiang V5/V7 which peaked at 10.573 units in December 2010 and remained at strong levels up until the end of 2016, especially successful in the rural areas such as Alashan Youqi in Inner Mongolia. Changan will want the Eado DT to do better of course, but it could be difficult given the lack of enthusiasm for local sedans lately. We want at least 7.500 monthly units to call the Eado DT a success.

Bar for success: 7.500 monthly units

3. Leopaard Mattu (#167 – 3.100 sales)

Unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show last April, the spectacular (inside and out) Mattu propelled Leopaard to #8 in our ranking of the Chinese brands you must know. My comments at the Show: “With its gigantic grille (see lead picture of this article) and chiselled features, the Mattu is here to confirm – if needed be – that the Chinese have made phenomenal progress in terms of exterior design and, in their eager push to impress the world, they sometimes go overboard, daring what more conservative Western brands would only dream of. This is the case with the Mattu.” I stand by this, adding that the interior (see below) looks and feels like a Mercedes with a giant digital panel à la new A-Class. Leopaard inaugurates a new front look but smartly links the Mattu with the rest of the lineup thanks to similarly shaped tail lights. As Leopaard’s new range-topper, the Mattu is logically more expensive than its smaller siblings but has, in true Chinese fashion, managed to contain its pricing to a mere 116.800-158.800 yuan, that’s just US$17,200-23.400 or 14.800-20.100€, in other words a car looking like a premium German for the price of a Dacia Duster…

Leopaard Mattu interior. Picture autohome.com.cn

For reference, the CS9 is priced from 76.800 to 129.800 yuan and the CS10 from 89.800 to 146.800 yuan, while the Q6, a facelifted Mitsubishi Pajero built under license, goes for 119.900-169.800 yuan. Oddly, Chinese automotive media pits the Mattu against the Haval H6 (103.000-146.800), Roewe RX5 (99.800-188.800), Geely Boyue (98.800-159.800) and Changan CS75 (79.800-184.800) but these are all cheaper and shorter. If anything, the Chery Tiggo 8 described above seems like a more fitting competitor as they are both large 5-seaters standing at 4.70m long. The Mattu lands with a bang over 3.000 sales, unfortunately this is done to the detriment of the rest of the lineup: the CS9 is down 28% to 2.390 and the CS10 implodes at -84% to 1.127 while the Q6 remains anecdotal at -53% to 287 sales. All-in-all, Leopaard sales are down 38% in June so the Mattu has its work cut out for it if its mission is to return the brand’s sales into the black. The CS9 peaked at 7.241 in January 2018 and the CS10 at 10.300 in March 2017.

Bar for success: 6.000 monthly units

4. Hongqi H5 (#205 – 2.120 sales)

Hongqi is FAW’s and China’s only luxury brand, charged with the heavy responsibility of transporting the leaders of the Communist Party in all ceremonies. Although we have seen the H5 sedan appear in the retail sales ranking over the past few months, this is its first appearance in the wholesales charts. The H5 is based on the Mazda6, one of the carmaker’s joint-venture partners in China. Alongside the new E-HS3 electric crossover, the H5 enabled Hongqi to rank #6 in our ranking of the Chinese brands you must know about at the latest Beijing Auto Show last April. Sporting a surprisingly attractive exterior design, picture perfect cockpit and expensive pricing for a Chinese car at 149.800-195.800 yuan (US$22.100-28.900 or 19.000-24.800€), the H5’s aspirations are definitely foreign, with its home media sending it into the same sandpit as the Toyota Camry (179.800-279.800), Honda Accord (169.800-279.800), Nissan Teana (175.800-298.800), VW Magotan (189.900-303.900) and Passat (189.900-316.900).

Hongqi H5 interior. Picture autohome.com.cn

In terms of commercial success, it’s difficult to find a benchmark for the H5 as this is Hongqi’s first offer resembling a mass model. Indeed, the H7 which was its first try at a model aimed at a private audience, has been on and off in the wholesales charts, actually reaching its highest volume since its first appearance in May 2013 just this June 2018 at 883. sales. More hints can be caught in our exclusive retail rankings where it hit a 12-month best of 925 sales last December. In this context, the H5 start over 2.000 units is already treading unchartered territories for the brand. We want more and often to call the H5 a success.

Bar for success: 3.500 monthly units

5. Brilliance V7 (#261 – 1.250 sales)

Only 6 months after adding to its SUV lineup the V6 launched last November, Brilliance now readies the larger V7, lifting to 4 its SUV lineup alongside the V3 and V5, even though they only represent 17% of Brilliance June sales. Brilliance charges a premium for its association with BMW, and the V7 is no exception at 108.700-194.700 yuan (US$16.000-28.700 or 13.800-24.700€). Yet although the exterior design is improved yet in line with the brand’s stylistic codes, the interior is frankly lagging behind some cheaper Chinese such as Geely with the Boyue, Haval with the H6 and the aforementioned Leopaard Mattu.

Brilliance V7 interior. Picture autohome.com.cn

Once again automotive Chinese media pits the V7 against the segment’s best-sellers such as the Haval H6 or Roewe RX5 but I disagree. It’s a 4.70m long 5-seater powered by a 204 hp 1.6 turbo engine, and therefore exactly the same length as the Leopaard Mattu (116.800-158.800) and Chery Tiggo 8 (98.800-142.800) mentioned above but price-wise in my view it competes with other plush 5-seaters such as the Haval H7 (139.000-180.000), GAC Trumpchi GS7 (149.800-209.800), WEY VV7 (167.800-188.800 and Lynk & Co 01 (158.800-220.800) although all these models are powered by a 2.0T engine and run rings around the V7 in terms of interior presentation. The V3 peaked at 21.117 sales in December 2015, the V5 at 5.519 in November 2013 and the V6 at 3.676 for its 3rd month of sales last January, so we want at least 5.000 units to deem the V7 a success, which also means the V6 is a failure and I stand by it.

Bar for success: 5.000 monthly units

6. COS1° (#408 – 80 sales)

COS is a new marque by the Oshan MPV division of Changan that will specialise in… SUVs and is aimed at a rural clientele. Like Chery’s Jetour, it was launched last April at the Beijing Auto Show and like Jetour, COS was one of the “Top 5 brands you should know about” I selected from the latest Beijing Auto Show in April this year, the other three being EV makers NIO, Weltmeister and Byton. The marque’s first offering is the creatively-named 1° (for one degree), a modern, sober and toned down exterior design that goes against the rulebook for the extrovert traits that characterise rural customers – a risk has been taken here by being a little muted. The interior is extremely well packaged up with a large touchscreen beautifully integrated in the dashboard, luxurious pattern on the tunnel and doors (see below), Pioneer speakers artfully positioned alongside the inside door handles, matte-painted gearshift and gold-painted controls for the driver: this does look like a much more expensive car than what it is.

Chana OshanCOS1° interior and detail. Picture autohome.com.cn

The 1° is a 7-seater SUV priced at 129.800 yuan for its unique variant, that’s US$19.200 or 16.400€. It is powered by a 178 hp 1.5 turbo engine mated with a 6-gear automatic. Its main competitor is the yet-to-be-launched Jetour X70, also a 7-seater aimed at a rural clientele and inaugurating a new brand, this time created by Chery. In terms of already existing models, the 1° could potentially be pitted against the Zotye T800 (139.800-185.800) at the higher end, the Chana CX70 (59.900-109.900), BAIC Hyosow S7 (78.800-115.800) and Dongfeng Fengguang 580 (72.900 to 123.000 yuan) at the lower end, but as you can realise, there is no real Chinese offer at this price point at the moment, hence the smart decision by Changan to launch 1°. The launch of an all-new brand is debatable however. Looking at previous Chana Oshan models, the original Oshan (pictured above) peaked at 16.070 sales in January 2017 while the Oshan A700 hit a high of 9.967 in October 2017. We want at least half of this to deem the 1° a success.

Bar for success: 5.000 monthly units

New Buick Excelle

Also of note is the launch of the new generation Buick Excelle this month, a nameplate that has been dormant for roughly a year – only one sale between January and May 2018 – while the Buick Excelle GT was renewed. The new Excelle lands directly at #151 with 3.528 sales, a level that its predecessor last reached in December 2016.

China First Half 2018: Market accelerates to +5.6% despite sudden SUV weakness

Geely sales surge 37%, leaping from #6 to #2 in the brands ranking.

* See the Top 85 All China-made brands and Top 540 models by clicking on the title *

After slowing down from +9.2% in H1 2016 to +1.6% in H1 2017, the new light vehicle market in China rallies back up 4.8% over the First Half of 2018 to a record 11.8 million units. Sales were up each month during the period except in February (-11.2%) due to the Lunar New Year holiday. Although a momentous and spectacularly sudden trend shift is at play at the end of the period with SUVs losing share year-on-year for the first time in 6 years in May and actually losing volume year-on-year for the first time in 9 years in June, it does not yet appear in half-year figures. Indeed, SUV wholesales gain a sturdy 9.7% over H1 2018 to just under 5 million units, a pace still ahead of sedans up a very satisfying 5.5% to 5.7 million units. H2 2018 could however be a very different story and SUVs could end up dragging the market down. Elsewhere, green cars surge 112% to 412.000 units, with EVs up 96% to 313.000 and plug-in hybrids up 182% to 99.000. Adding commercial vehicles up 4.8% to 2.3 million units over the period, the overall Chinese new vehicle market is up 5.6% or 750.000 units to a record 14.1 million wholesales. At this pace, Chinese wholesales will easily break the symbolic 30 million annual units by the time 2018 comes to an end (exactly 30.5 million), keeping in mind China was already the only country in the world to ever cross the annual 20 million units back in 2013.

Chevrolet is up 40% on H1 2017 thanks to the continued success of the Cavalier (+55%).

In the brands ranking (no imports here, only wholesales to dealerships and not to end-consumers), Volkswagen (+5%) roughly follows the market to 1.54 million units, able to maintain an unsurmountable lead over all other carmakers in market: the German carmaker sells more than double the #2: Geely. The Volvo owner stuns once again with a splendid 37% year-on-year gain propelling it from #6 a year ago and #2 Chinese to a clear second so far in 2018 and by far the best-selling Chinese manufacturer with over 720.000 wholesales. Geely knocks Honda (+1%) and Toyota (+7%) down one spot to #3 and #4 respectively. Nissan soars 14% and two spots to round up the Top 5, overtaking Buick (-6%) and Changan (-9%) both in difficulty. The tail end of the Top 10 is extremely dynamic: Baojun gains 17% to over 470.000 units but could be handicapped in H2 by over-cannibalisation within its constantly renewed lineup (see further down). Hyundai (+26%) offsets a horrific start of year in 2017 when anti-Korean sentiment locked sales down. Finally, Chevrolet (+40%) posts the largest gain in the Top 25 thanks to the success of its low-cost Cavalier.

Suddenly, Qoros wakes up: +412% thanks to the 5 SUV accounting for 87% of sales.

The two manufacturers ejected from the Top 10 over the period are notable: SUV leader Haval drops 18% as the H6 struggles to compensate for an otherwise ageing lineup while for Ford, 2018 its annus horribilus with wholesales freefalling 39% to see its ranking drop from #10 to #19. Audi (+16%) manages to remain the #1 premium marque when only wholesales of China-made vehicles are taken into account, ahead of Mercedes (+21%) and BMW (+13%) but overall retail sales including imports place Mercedes #1 with 340.000 sales (+16%) above Audi at 306.590 (+20%) and BMW at 286.536 (+3.4%). In the Top 50, spectacular gains are rarer than usual in China. Among foreigners, Citroen (+72%), Kia (+36%) also benefitting from a low 2017 base, Cadillac (+39%), Volvo (+30%) and Mitsubishi (+26%) stand out, but the biggest improvements remain by and large a Chinese affair with Qoros (+412%), MG (+91%), Roewe (+40%), Zotye (+37%), Changhe (+28%), BYD (+21%), Venucia (+20%) and Hanteng (+17%) the most impressive.

WEY ranks #31 so far in 2018.

No less than 8 new brands have officially made their appearance in the Chinese wholesales ranking over the past year or so. Technically, WEY has been present for more than a year, resulting in a whopping 2353% gain to just under 78.000 sales with 3 nameplates (VV5, VV7 and P8) but is the only recent launch to approach the Top 30 brands over the period at #31. However WEY sales have kept decreasing throughout the year to fall to just 10.481 in June vs. a record of 21.349 in December 2017. Lynk & Co on the other hand continues to grow, hitting a record 9.247 units in June and up to #41 over H1 with a little over 46.000 wholesales. Below, Traum (#63), Yudo (#71), Dearcc (#73), Arcfox (#78), Xpeng (#80) and COS (#83) are also new.

2018 could be the year of the VW Lavida’s first annual win in China.

Over in the models ranking, capping 3 months on top and a new generation, the VW Lavida (-6%) edges past the Wuling Hongguang (-8%) to snap the top spot for just 1.114 sales with the Haval H6 (-3%) holding onto the #3 spot only 1.911 units above the Baojun 510 (+111%). There are a few forces at play here: despite the addition of an SUV variant (the S3) at the end of 2017, the Wuling Hongguang should be losing the annual position it has held without interruption since 2013 by the time 2018 comes to an end. Indeed the Baojun 360, launched in May, has already started cannibalising its sales and should increase the pressure in H2, at the same time killing the Baojun 730, down 55% over the period and falling from #11 to #55. It would be the very first annual crowning for the VW Lavida on the other hand, and the first Volkswagen to top the annual passenger car sales in China since the VW Jetta in 2008. The Haval H6 has managed to see through the Baojun 510 threat to the title of #1 SUV in the country it has held for 58 of the past 60 months. The 510, the most successful launch in automobile history, has ended the career of the 560, down from #23 and 90.600 sales a year ago to… zero so far in 2018, but the more recent and larger 530 (#63) has stopped its progression.

The BYD Song MAX is the most popular recent launch in China so far this year…

Surprisingly jolly despite being deep into their respective career cycles, the Nissan Sylphy (+17%), Toyota Corolla (+15%) and VW Sagitar (+11%) follow in the ranking while Volkswagen monopolises the remainder of the Top 10 with the Tiguan (-8%), Santana (+13%) and Jetta (-5%). The Chevrolet Cavalier soars 55% just as the Buick Excelle GT freefalls 42% from #4 to #18 in the leadup to the new generation Excelle launch. The Geely Boyue gains 12% and two spots to end the period just outside the Top 10, distancing in the SUV segment the GAC Trumpchi GS4 (-28%) desperately needing a new generation, the Roewe RX5 (+19%), Buick Envision (-6%), Nissan X-Trail (+32%) and Changan CS55 (+2510%) which launched a little over a year ago. Geely dominates the Chinese sedan segment with the ever-green Emgrand (+10%) ahead of the Baojun 310 (+23%), Geely Vision (+18%) and Emgrand GL (+51%).

… but the Baojun 530 was the best-selling new launch from April onwards.

From the whopping 72 new nameplates laughed in the past 12 months, the BYD Song MAX is the most popular so far in 2018, landing directly at #35 with just over 81.000 wholesales. It distances the Geely Vision X3 (#57), Baojun 530 (#62), Lynk & Co 01 (#78), Geely Vision S1 (#79), WEY VV5 (#90), Kia KX Cross (#93), GAC Trumpchi GS3 (#95) and Venucia D60 (#99). The SUV wave is indeed still front and centre over H1 with 7 of these 9 new launches being SUVs vs. only one MPV and one sedan.

Previous post: China June 2018: SUV sales drop for the first time in 9 years

One year ago: China First Half 2017: Market slows growth from 9.2% to 1.6%

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China June 2018: SUV sales drop for first time in 9 years in spectacular trend reversal

The VW Lavida is the best-selling vehicle in China for the third month running.

* See the Top 80 All China-made brands and Top 445 models by clicking on the title *

According to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), new light vehicle sales in China gain 2.3% year-on-year in June to 1.874.200 units. For the second consecutive month, the market is surprisingly pulled up by very dynamic sedan sales at +9.1% to 963.400. But the June thunderclap is the year-on-year drop of SUV sales at -0.5% to 737.600 units. After losing share year-on-year for the first time in 6 years last month, we estimate that this is the first decline for SUV sales in China in 9 years, since 2009 at a time when the segment only accounted for 8% of overall light vehicles sales vs. 39% this month. Now let’s pause for a minute to digest what is a spectacular trend reversal in the largest car market in the world. Up until two months ago, SUVs had been the unique engine of growth in the Chinese light vehicle market, the only segment enjoying year-on-year gains for the past couple of years just as all others (sedans, MPV and microvans) were declining sharply. So much so that almost all China-made car launches in the past two years have been SUVs, a new model trend that will continue deep into 2018 as these were conceived during the heydays of the SUV boom.

The Haval H6 (-25%) leads a suddenly weak SUV segment in China.

Is this the end of the SUV boom in China, and the world?

If one month of weakness could definitely be deemed a freak event, poor SUV sales have now been on display for two consecutive months in China, with the trend accelerating in June and pulling the segment into negative growth. It’s no secret that the SUV sales boom has been decelerating for some time already, with the explosive growth of 2015 (+52%) and 2016 (+45%) dampened by a more measured but still very impressive +13.3% in 2017. Before the slump of May, SUV sales were still up 12.9% year-on-year over the first 4 months of 2018 and remain more dynamic than sedans over the First Half of 2018 at +9.7% vs. +5.5%. However a worrying indicator is that the sudden fall of grace of SUVs in China is not just affecting a few selected models but is damaging the June sales of most best-sellers including the Haval H6 (-25%), Baojun 510 (-33%), VW Tiguan (-35%), GAC Trumpchi GS4 (-50%), Honda XR-V (-29%) and Changan CS75 (-44%).

Even the VW Tiguan is down 35% in June…

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but it does appear that the Chinese have suddenly fallen out of love with SUVs, not just a couple of brands they could have been tired of. It’s useful to also keep in mind that a majority of local carmakers had dropped their prices significantly over the last couple of years in order to fuel continued growth (I’m looking at Haval here), and they are being caught up with this practice now with “real” sales exempt of price drops actually pretty weak. If confirmed over the next few months, this sudden turn of events will have a huge impact on the worldwide car industry as most global carmakers are now strongly influenced in their decision-making by the Chinese market. The plethora of SUVs that is still scheduled to hit dealerships over the next 18 months could find itself having a much harder time to shine. If confirmed, this sudden SUV slump will hurt Chnese carmakers much more than foreigners as the locals have put all their eggs in the SUV basket to survive over the past 5 years with foreign manufacturers struggling to keep their unabated SUV launch pace. A weakness that could turn out in foreign carmakers’ advantage: the manufacturers that will be able to weather this unexpected storm unscathed are the ones able to swap their reliance to a strong sedan lineup – and Volkswagen is best placed here.

Like in May, the Nissan Sylphy is the #2 vehicle in China this month, helping Nissan up 16%.

So if the SUV sales tap is drying out, where else can the Chinese market look for sustained growth? Sedans are the first bet with very dynamic sales over the past two months offsetting the SUV weakness to deliver overall monthly gains in the light vehicles segment. Meanwhile minibus sales drop 0.5% to 43.900 which is a striking slowing down of its freefalling pace over the past 5 years, but MPVs struggle again at -21% to 129.300 this month. Although they still account for a tiny part of the Chinese market, eco friendly cars continue to gallop ahead, up 43% to 84.000 in June, with EV sales up 30% to 62.000 and plug-in hybrids doubling year-on-year to 22.000. Finally, commercial vehicle sales surge 18% in June to 399.000 thanks to robust demand from shippers and domestic logistics providers. All-in-all, the Chinese total vehicle market is up 4.8% to 2.273.000 units in June, a new record for the month.

Geely manages a 27th double-digit gain in a row thanks to a strong sedan lineup.

A direct illustration of the increased sedan weight in carmaker’s fortunes this month is the China-made brands ranking, with the entire Top 6 in positive thanks to solid sedan sales. Volkswagen (+2%) ends the month just under 254.000 wholesales, that’s more than double any other carmaker in the country. Honda (+1%), Toyota (+4%) and Nissan (+16%) also shine but it’s Hyundai (+147%) that performs best near the top, offsetting a paltry start of 2017 handicapped by negative buyer sentiment towards South Korea in the wake of a tense North Korea situation. Up a formidable 35% on June 2017, Geely remains by far the best-selling Chinese brand at home, celebrating a 27th consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year gains and its 10th month in a row above 100.000 units. In the remainder of the Top 10, only Chevrolet (+18%) impresses while Baojun (+3%) has now stabilised and both Buick (-22%) and Changan (-20%) freefall.

Hyundai sales rally back up 147% in June.

Mercedes (+27%) is back above Audi (-4%) as the #1 premium brand in China in terms of wholesales, with BMW (+20%) also in great shape but almost 9.000 units below Audi this month. Total retail sales including imports place BMW much closer with Mercedes at 56.945 (+14%), Audi at 48.177 (+7.2%) and BMW at 48.062 (+1.6%). Chinese carmakers with a smile on their face in June include Qoros (+678%), Brilliance (+101%), MG (+100%) thanks to the new 6 sedan, Changhe (+90%), Maxus (+69%), Hawtai (+58%) thanks to a new electrified lineup, Roewe (+52%), Yema (+40%), Landwind (+38%), Borgward (+28%), Hanteng (+22%) and BYD (+17%). Among foreigners, the most impressive are Jaguar (+65%), Citroen (+59%) thanks to the new C5 Aircross, Infiniti (+55%) thanks to a new QX50, Kia (+49%) also catching up on a dismal 2017, Volvo (+29%) and Mitsubishi (+16%).

Brilliance sales are up 101% year-on-year in June, led by the H3 sedan.

Reversely, Jinbei (-78%), Bisu (-68%), Weichai (-66%), Cowin (-63%), Soueast (-62%), Haima (-57%), SWM (-46%), Lifan (-43%), Dongfeng (-39%), Leopaard (-38%), FAW (-25%), Karry (-25%), Wuling (-25%), JAC (-22%) and Haval (-20%) – hit full frontal by SUV disaffection, are the worst performing locals. Among foreigners, Fiat posts zero sale in June, Suzuki (-61%) has decided this month to pull out of the Chinese market, Ford (-55%) continues to freefall, while Denza (-54%), Acura (-40%), DS (-35%), Jeep (-34%), Mazda (-23%) and Peugeot (-19%) all implode.

MG deliveries double year-on-year thanks to the 6 sedan.

Among new brands recently launched in market, Great Wall’s WEY (+241%) shows spectacular year-on-year gains but has been steadily declining month-on-month since March, hitting just 10.481 units in June with 3 models (VV5, VV7 and P8) which is only 49% of its all-time high of 21.349 hit last December. In contrast, its direct competitor, Geely’s Lynk & Co continues to progress, up 0.1% on May to a record 9.247 sales this month and still with only one nameplate, the 01, with the 02 and 03 slated for H2 2018. These two carmakers dominate recent launches in China head and shoulders, with the next best thing being Traum which seems to already have plateaued at 1.168 units (-4% on May). Next are Yudo (461), Xpeng (146) and June arrival COS (80), a new marque by Chana Oshan (more on this shortly in the June 2018 edition of our Focus on the All-new models series). EV makers Arcfox and Dearcc are both below 10 sales for the month.

Volkswagen places 5 nameplates among the Top 7 best-selling sedans, including the Bora (+41%).

Over in the models ranking, confirming the fall of grace of SUVs, the Top 5 best-sellers are all sedans officially for the first time since August 2013 when the Wuling Hongguang was still counted as a commercial vehicle. However, inserting the Hongguang – as it should be – into the PC sales ranking from its launch in 2011 leads to an even more impressive feat by sedans this month: the Top 5 best-selling passenger cars in China are 100% sedans for the first time in 6.5 years since January 2012. Leading the way is the VW Lavida (+26%) boosted by a new generation – and snapping the YTD lead off the Hongguang – ahead of the Nissan Sylphy (+32%) and Toyota Corolla (-0.4%) reproducing the May podium. The VW Santana (+81%) and Jetta (+14%) round up the Top 5, with Volkswagen even placing 5 nameplates in the Top 7 sedans: add the VW Sagitar (+3%) and Bora (+41%).

The Baojun 360 scores a five-digit figure for its 2nd month but cannibalises the Wuling Hongguang.

The Wuling Hongguang (-25%) skids down to #7 – its lowest-ever ranking – cannibalised by the new Baojun 360 up 37% on its inaugural month in May to record 11.002 units, all the while the Baojun 730 implodes at -70%. The Haval H6 sinks 25% to #6 but overtakes the Baojun 510 YTD, and the Geely Boyue (+4%) steps up to #2 best-selling SUV in China for the first time and one of only two inside the Top 10. For once, sedans monopolise the largest year-on-year gains in the Top 50 with best performers including the Hyundai Elantra Lingdong (+740%), Hyundai Celesta (+485%), BMW 5 Series L (+123%), Toyota Camry (+73%), Geely Emgrand GL (+68%), Hyundai Mistra (+68%), Chevrolet Cavalier (+63%), Chevrolet Sail (+60%), Honda Fit (+58%), Mercedes C-Class L (+47%), Audi A4L (+31%), Mercedes E-Class L (+29%), Geely Emgrand (+25%), Honda Accord (+15%) and Geely Emgrand GS (+13%). Only the Hyundai ix35 (+1263%) boosted by the new generation, Changan CS35 (+19%), Nissan X-Trail (+14%) and Buick Envision (+10%) shine among SUVs.

The FAW Senia R9 is up 232% on its inaugural month in May to #160.

The 5-seat SUV Baojun 530 (#26) is the most popular recent launch (<12 months) but is already down 12% on May to just above 15.000 units. It is followed by the BYD Song MAX (#38), Baojun 360 (#50), Geely Vision X3 (#56), Lynk & Co 01 (#66), Geely Vision S1 (#86), GAC Trumpchi GS3 (#88), Haval H4 (#93) up to a record 6.114 sales and Kia KX Cross (#102). Among nameplates launched last month in May, the Baojun 360 is obviously the best performer at +37% to #50, followed by the FAW Senia R9 up 232% to #160, the Skoda Kamiq up 554% to #183, Jeep Grand Commander up 703% to #184, Changhe A6 up 31% to #215, BMW X3 up 3090% to #242, VW T-Roc up 25250% to #278 and WEY P8 up 13% to #319. The Changhe Q7 is the only May launch to see its sales drop vs. its inaugural month at -25% to #281.

Previous month: China May 2018: SUVs drop share for the first time in 6 years

One year ago: China June 2017: Buick Excelle in the lead, market back up

Full June 2018 Top 80 All China-made brands and Top 445 models below.

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Belarus First Half 2018: Lada up 213% to #2 in market up 70.5%

The VW Polo and Lada Vesta are the two best-sellers in Bearus.

* See the Top 32 All-brands and Top 30 models by clicking on the title *

New car sales in Belarus shoot up an incredible 70.5% year-on-year over the First Half of 2018 to 23.196 units. Renault (+30%) remains the most popular carmaker in the country but significantly trails the market to post a 25.2% share vs. 33.1% a year ago. Lada on the other hand is up 3-fold at +213% to achieve a 18.1% share, almost doubling the 9.9% it commended over the same period in 2017. As a result Lada overtakes Volkswagen (+51%) for 2nd place overall while Nissan (+94%) and Kia (+86%) both outpace the market to round up the Top 5. Hyundai (+92%), GAZ (+82%) and Ford (+79%) also shine in the Top 10 but the best performer is Chinese Geely with deliveries up 4-fold (+311%) to crack the Belorussian Top 10 at #9. Further down, Changan (+3600%), Haval (+243%), Mitsubishi (+224%), Chery (+196%), Mercedes (+95%) and Mazda (+85%) make themselves noticed. As a whole, Chinese carmakers jump 351% to hold 5.4% of the Belorussian market so far in 2018 vs. just 2% a year ago.

The Geely Atlas breaks into the Belorussian Top 10.

Model-wise, the VW Polo is headed towards a 6th connective year atop the sales charts despite trailing the market at +41% to see its share thaw from 11.4% to 9.5%. The Lada Vesta storms onto the podium thanks to sales up 9-fold on the same period in 2017 when it launched to 8.5% share. The Vesta knocks the Renault Sandero down to #2: it is up “just” 29% to 7.1% share vs. 9.4% a year ago while the Renault Logan is up a fantastic 111% but also drops one spot to #4, as do the Renault Duster (-10%) and Kaptur (+13%). The Kia Rio (+252%) is boosted by its new X-Line crossover-looking variant and the Largus (+189%) enjoys a second wind at #7. But the mots impressive performer in the Top 10 is the Geely Atlas landing directly at #10. Further down, the Lada XRAY (+221%), Nissan Almera (+159%), GAZ Next (+132%), Lada Granta (+125%), Nissan Terrano (+123%) and VW Tiguan (+109%) make themselves noticed.

Previous post: Belarus First Quarter 2018: VW Polo leads, Geely Atlas up to #13

One year ago: Belarus H1 2017: VW Polo leads, Kaptur #4, four Renaults in Top 5

Full H1 2018 Top 32 All-brands and Top 30 models below.

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Chile June 2018: Suzuki leads, Chinese up 47% in market up 21.6%

Maxus sales are up 345% year-on-year in Chile in June, helping Chinese carmakers up 47%.

* See the Top 50 best-selling brands by clicking on the title *

New vehicle sales in Chile soar 21.6% year-on-year in June to 33.228 units, that’s a 6th consecutive double-digit year-on-year gain and a new all-time record for the month lifting the year-to-date volume up 24.3% to 202.130 sales, also a new record halfway through the year. This month, Passenger Cars gain 11.9% to 81.435, SUVs are up 31.9% to 69.578, light commercials up 20.6% to 32.107 and medium/heavy commercials up 34.1% to 19.010. Suzuki soars 46% year-on-year to take the lead of the brands ranking for the 2nd time this year after last February, ranking #2 YTD at 8% share. Kia (+16%) is up four spots on May to #2 despite trailing the market, ahead of Toyota (+32%) and Nissan (+22%) whereas Chevrolet (-4%) and Hyundai (-0.3%) the May leader both significantly under-perform. Further down, notice Opel (+386%), the Chrysler Group (+101%), BMW (+82%), Volvo (+46%), Mercedes (+36%), Volkswagen (+33%), Land Rover (+32%), Mazda (+31%) and Skoda (+30%) all posting stunning gains just as Chinese carmakers, as a whole up 47%, continue to shine, notably Maxus (+345%), Changan (+125%), Dongfeng (+114%), ZNA (+63%), Foton (+62%), JAC (+59%) and Lifan (+46%).

Previous month: Chile May 2018: Hyundai leads, Chinese up 56% in market up 18.1%

One year ago: Chile June 2017: Chevrolet back to #1, Chinese brands up 46%

Full June 2018 Top 50 brands ranking below.

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