Chile March 2015: Nissan up to #2 in market down 23%

Nissan X-Trail

* NOW UPDATED with the Q1 2015 Top 20 models and March Top 60 All-brands *

No sign of recovery for the Chilean new car market, down another 23% year-on-year in March to 21,469 registrations, bringing the first quarter total to 63,593, down a harsh 27% on 2014. Chevrolet cements its leadership of the market with 3,415 sales and 15.9% share and we have a surprise in 2nd place this month: Nissan is up 3 spots on February and on its year-to-date ranking thanks to 2,233 sales and 10.4% share vs. 7.8% so far in 2015. Kia is kicked down to #3 at 10.2% but overtakes sister company Hyundai year-to-date, the latter being down to a paltry 5th place with 7.1% share in March. Suzuki ranks 4th with a strong 8.4% share, Mitsubishi is back up to #7, while the Chinese add up to 1,760 sales and 8.2% share, led once again by Great Wall (#19) followed by ChangAn (#20) and Chery (#21).

The Mitsubishi L200 is the best-selling nameplate in Chile so far in 2015.

We now have access to rare models data for Chile over the 1st Quarter 2015, and there are a few surprise atop the sales charts: the Mitsubishi L200 brilliantly takes the overall lead thanks to 2,381 sales and 3.7% share (vs. #5 in 2014), potentially thanks to reduced prices as the current model enters runout time. The L200 is now followed by the Hyundai Accent at 2,253 units, the Kia Rio at 2,193 and the Toyota Hilux at 2,099. #2 in 2014, the Chevrolet Sail drops to #5 so far this year whereas the 2014 leader the Chevrolet Spark falls to #17. Notice also the Nissan Versa at #10 and the Hyundai Grand i10 at #15.

Previous month: Chile February 2015: Chevrolet reclaims top spot in market down 29%

Previous year: Chile Full Year 2014: Chevrolet leads in market down 11%

Full March 2015 Top 60 All-brands Ranking Table below.