China February 2012: Buick Excelle leads, Chevrolet Malibu arrives

Buick Excelle

* See the Top 250 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

After leading the Chinese market over the Full Year 2011 but spending 3 months away from the pole position, the Buick Excelle confirms it is China’s favourite car and tops the models ranking in February with 23,564 sales. It is the fourth time in the last 7 months that the Excelle is #1 and the first time since October. The VW Lavida is also back to its 2011 level at #2 and 21,996 units. Over the last 12 months, the Lavida ranked #1 or #2 no less than 9 times!

VW Tiguan

Like in January, the Chevrolet Cruze is #3 with 20,662 sales and is followed by 3 Volkswagen, making it 4 VW in the Top 6! The Bora is up 8 spots on January to #4 at 18,377 units, the Jetta is up 9 ranks to #5 and the Passat is down 5 spots to #6. Yet another VW shines in the Top 10: the Tiguan delivers 15,487 units at #9, China being by far its strongest market in the world.

BYD L3

Further down, great performers include the Great Wall Voleex C30 up 9 ranks to #12 and #2 Chinese model behind the FAW Xiali N3/N5, the Skoda Octavia up to #19, the ChangAn Benben Mini up 15 spots to #28 with 10,053 sales and the BYD L3 up 17 ranks to #46, its best ranking since September 2010 and its second best ranking ever.

Chevrolet Malibu

The Baojun 630 takes its first breather since its launch last August, down 13 spots to #44 with 8,017 units, while the Chevrolet Malibu is the best performing (and only) newcomer this month, landing directly within the Top 100 at #96 and 3,333 sales. Among recent launches, the Gleagle EC7 is up 18 spots and 36% on January to #125 and 2,148 units, the Great Wall Voleex C50 is up 13 spots and 96% to #173 and 833 units and the Toyota Prius is up 25 ranks and 319% to #202 and 302 sales.

Previous month: China January 2012: Huge month for the VW Passat

One year ago: China February 2011: VW Lavida #1, VW Tiguan in Top 10, Sunny up

Full February 2012 Top 250 Ranking Table below.