China 1999: VW Santana and Changan Star top market up 8.2%

The Changan Star is up to #2 in China in 1999.

After marking a pause in 1998 (+0.5%), new vehicle sales in China gain 8.2% year-on-year in 1999 to 1,619,025 units. Despite trailing the market, Volkswagen (+3.6%) becomes the first manufacturer in Chinese history to hit 300,000 annual sales. It is followed like last year by FAW Tianjin (-3.4%). Changan (+68.6%) and Foton (+107.9%) both skyrocket to rank #3 and #5 respectively. Changhe (+2.3%) stays in 4th place. Hafei (+50.1%), Dongfeng (+16.3%) and Yuejin (+16.3%) all beat the market in the remainder of the Top 10. The 2nd best-selling foreign carmaker below VW is again Suzuki (+24.7%) followed by Citroen (+18%). Notice also Buick (+229%) tripling its sales year-on-year to advance to #17.

The VW Santana (+8.1%) matches the market to remain in pole position but is threatened this year by the Changan Star (+68.6%) up four spots to #2 and ending the year 12,500 sales below the Santana. The FAW Tianjin Xiali (+6%) stays in third place and overtakes a struggling VW Santana 2000 (-13.3%). The Foton Forland (+107.9%) for its part shoots up 7 ranks to #5. The Hafei Carry (+56.4%), VW Jetta (+27.4%) and Dongfeng 1061 Series (+18.8%) also shine below.

Full Year 1999 Top 67 All brands and Top 166 All models vs. Full Year 1998 figures below.