Chile February 2018: Chinese manufacturers up 71% in record market

Changan (+101%) is the best-selling Chinese brand in Chile in February.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 50 brands and Top 20 models – click on title to see *

The January 2018 Chile post has now been updated with the Top 20 models.

New car sales in Chile shoot up 23.6% year-on-year in February to 29.427 units, a new record for the month, lifting the year-to-date tally up 26.7% to a record 64.749 registrations. In a very tight race for the brands crown, Suzuki (+26%) takes the lead for the second time in the past four months, only 15 units above Kia (+12%), 30 above Chevrolet (+1%), 112 above Hyundai (+6%) and 116 above Nissan (+18%). Mazda (+39%) and Peugeot (+25%) also advance faster than the market inside the Top 10.

The big story once again in Chile is the dynamism of Chinese carmakers. Among the 14 present in this month’s Top 50, Changan takes the leads at #14 overall thanks to deliveries more than doubling year-on-year at +101%, followed closely by Chery (+54%) and Great Wall Motors (+56%). Maxus (+199%), FAW (+154%), BAIC (+140%), Lifan (+120%), Dongfeng (+111%), Foton (+110%) and MG (+62%) also post spectacular gains this month. All-in-all, Chinese manufacturers surge 71% year-on-year in February -exactly the same rate as January- to hit 13.3% share. Lost among all these Chinese unknown marques? Be sure to consult our Exclusive Guide to all 144 active Chinese brands here.

Over in the models ranking, the Mitsubishi L200 reclaims the top of the charts both this month (2.9% share) and YTD (2.5%) and distances for February the Kia Morning, Suzuki Swift, Kia Rio and Nissan NP300. The Chevrolet Sail at #6 is the only other nameplate to snap at least 2% of the Chilean market. The Hyundai Grand i10 breaks into the Top 10, the Hyundai Accent is down 10 spots on January (when it was best-seller) to #11, the Hyundai Tucson is up 5 to #15 and the Nissan Qashqai shines at #18. The JAC S2 is the best-selling Chinese vehicle in Chile this month, getting close to the Top 20.

Previous month: Chile January 2018: Market up 29.3%, Chinese carmakers up 71%

One year ago: Chile January-February 2017: Chery Tiggo2 inside Top 20

Full February 2018 Top 50 brands and Top 20 models below.