Mexico April 2017: First year-on-year decline in 3 years

The Nissan Versa is back to #1 in Mexico. Picture carros.ig.com.br 

* See the Top 40 All-brands and Top 215 models by clicking on the title *

It had to happen one day: after 35 consecutive months of year-on-year gains and 27 consecutive monthly records, the Mexican new light vehicle market posts its first decline in 3 years at -3.3% to 114.486 registrations in April. Uncertainty about export tariffs to the U.S. has partly managed to slow down the Mexican market to the point of negative growth. The year-to-date tally remains frankly in positive however at a record 492.761 units after four months, up 5.8% on a the same period a year ago. It’s the best-selling manufacturers that pull the market down this month, with Nissan (-5%), Chevrolet (-15%) and Volkswagen (-14%) all falling faster than the market. Toyota on the other hand gains 17% to remain in 4th place while Kia (+79%) manages to rank at a splendid 5th place for the second time ever after last February. Mercedes (+16%), BMW (+11%), Fiat (+45%), Isuzu (+59%) and Smart (+49%) are among the rare brands posting a double-digit gain this month, in a market showing a very different outlook than what we got used to in the past few years.

The Kia Rio now ranks #11 in Mexico, with 61% or its April total produced locally.

In the models ranking, the Nissan Versa reclaims the pole position it holds year-to-date thanks to sales up 10% to 5.8% market share, dethroning the Chevrolet Spark up 18% to 5.3% with the Nissan Pickup rounding up the podium at +32%. The Honda CR-V is up 123% to 7th place overall: the new model is receiving a warm welcome from Mexican buyers. Just outside the Top 10, the Kia Rio surges 154% to #11 with 61% of its April sales produced locally. The Sportage meanwhile is up 34% year-on-year and 9 spots on last month to #12 with the Ford Figo (+23%), Toyota Hilux (+53%), Chevrolet Cruze (+226%) and Kia Forte (+120%) also posting solid gains inside the Top 25. This month we welcome the Jeep Renegade at #92 and the Nissan GT-R at #196.

Previous month: Mexico March 2017: Chevy Spark, Nissan Pickup top market up 17%

One year ago: Mexico May 2016: Chevrolet teases Nissan in 17th straight record month

Full April 2017 Top 40 All-brands and Top 215 models below.