Puerto Rico (USA) September 2012: Discover the Top 200 All-models ranking! Toyota dominates, US brands low

Toyota Yaris

* See the Top 200 All-models ranking by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Roberto *

Thanks to Roberto we are now adding a 169th country/territory to BestSellingCarsBlog’s list: Puerto Rico which is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Caribbean Sea and home to 3.7 million inhabitants. The Puerto Rican new car market is very dynamic with 93,687 registrations over the Full Year 2011 (+1%), 8,300 in September 2012 alone (+9%) and 72,781 over the first 9 months of 2012, (+13%). One of the particularities of the car landscape in Puerto Rico is the weakness of most American manufacturers (Chrysler, Dodge, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Lincoln) with the exception of Ford and Jeep, and the strength of Japanese and Korean carmakers.

Mitsubishi Lancer

The Toyota Yaris is the most popular car in Puerto Rico by far, both in September with 698 sales and 8.4% share and year-to-date at 6,592 units and 9.1%. It is followed also in both rankings by the Toyota Corolla with 491 sales and 5.9% this month and 4,500 and 6.2% year-to-date. Contrary to mainland USA where it is stuck around #150, the Mitsubishi Lancer is extremely strong in Puerto Rico, ranking #3 in September at 423 units and 5.1%, ahead of the Hyundai Accent (vs. #78 in the USA) and Jeep Wrangler (vs. #29).

Suzuki SX4

Another model selling poorly in the States (#169 in September) but amazingly well here is the Suzuki SX4, mainly in its sedan version, at #6 this month with 192 sales and 2.3%. The Toyota Prius C is also much more popular here than in the US, up to a fantastic 8th position in September at 186 units and 2.2%. The Kia Rio and Nissan Rogue round up this month’s Top 10.

Toyota Prius c

Other great performers on the island include the Ford Fiesta at #15 (vs. #85), Kia Sportage at #18 (vs. #109), Suzuki Grand Vitara at #24 (vs. #225), Hyundai Veloster at #25 (vs. #104), Mitsubishi Outlander at #30 (vs. #196), Ford Ranger at #48 (vs. #244) and Scion iQ at #53 (vs. #189). Finally, notice the Mitsubishi ASX (sold as Outlander Sport on the mainland), ranking #12 with 1,494 sales and 1.2% year-to-date, which would seem to indicate that Puerto Rican sales are counted separately and not included in the monthly US sales data…

Mitsubishi ASX

Reversely, some strong sellers in the US don’t hit the mark here: the Honda Accord is #23 (vs. #4), Toyota Camry #27 (vs. #3), Ford F-Series #33 (vs. #1) and Chevrolet Silverado #152 (vs. #2). Finally, notice the Dodge Dart enjoying its very first month of sales on the island in September at 13 units, and available sales figures for prestige brands such as Maserati (8 sales year-to-date), Lotus (7) and Ferrari (6).

Did you enjoy reading this update as much as I did writing it? Then make sure you comment on here if you have access to US sales data by state, I would love to update you all on what the most popular models in California or New York are…

Full September 2012 Top 200 and 9 months 2012 Top 238 Ranking Tables below.