China 2006: VW Jetta reclaims first place, Buick Excelle close 2nd

* See the Top 85 best selling models by clicking on ‘Read more’ at the end of the post! *

Following on from its amazing run last year, the Tianjin Xiali is the first passenger car to sell more than 100,000 units in China in 6 months, at 103,100 by end of June 2006. The Hyundai Elantra was 2nd then at 99,900 sales, followed by the Buick Excelle at 98,800 and the VW Jetta at 97,600.

The Full Year ranking ends up being radically different. The Xiali was #1 up until July, but then, boosted by an exceptional summer (18,844 sales in August), the VW Jetta reclaimed the pole position it held in 2004, finishing the year at 176,844 sales (+24%).

Buick Excelle

The Buick Excelle continues its progression and has and outstanding month of December at 20,238 sales, bringing its Full Year figure to 176,526, only 318 units behind the Jetta! The Hyundai Elantra is #3 at 169,716 sales (-4%) followed by the Tianjin Xiali (-10%) and Chery QQ (+14%).

The Honda Accord (+8%) stays 6th, the VW Passat is up 3 spots at #7 and an impressive +72%, and the VW Santana 3000 is up 7 spots and 41% at #10.

Two models break into the Top 10 for their first full year of sales: the Nissan Tiida is #8 with 110,614 sales and +99% and the Chery Qiyun is #9 with 101,265 sales and +345%.

Full Top 85 Ranking Table: click on ‘Read more’ below the Chery Qiyun pic.

Chery Qiyun