Indonesia April 2018: Mitsubishi Xpander threepeats but gap thaws

The Mitsubishi Xpander has now led the Indonesian sales charts for three months in a row.

* See the Top 10 brands and Top 20 models by clicking on the title *

The Indonesian new car market soars by a very solid 14.1% year-on-year in April tp 102.258 units, the largest monthly volume recorded so far this year and lifting the YTD tally up 5.6% to 394.421 wholesales. Toyota remains in control of the brands ranking but sees its volume sink by a steep 19% to 28.9% share over the first four months of 2018 vs. 37.6% over the corresponding period in 2017. In contrast, Mitsubishi shoots up 115% and two spots to land in 2nd place with 18.6% share, more than double its 9.1% presence a year ago. This outstanding performance has everything to do with the stunning success of the Xpander, enjoying a third consecutive monthly pole position in April. Daihatsu (+8%) overtakes Honda (-21%) to remain in third place overall with Suzuki (+18%) rounding up the Top 5 ahead of Hino (+28%), Isuzu (+49%) and Datsun (+95%). Newcomer and new local producer Wuling lands at #9 with 5.216 sales and 1.3% share vs. zero a year ago.

Looking into the models ranking for April, as mentioned above the Mitsubishi Xpander posts a third victory in a row, replicating the performance the Toyota Calya delivered when it took the overall lead off the Avanza from August to October 2016. But it would appear we may be coming towards the end of the Xpander domination, as its share is down for the second consecutive month – from 7.9% in February to 7.4% in March and 6.9% in April – and its advantage over the Avanza has thawed from 627 units in February to 396 in March and just 180 this month. Regardless, it’s still a spectacular performance from the Xpander, remaining the first non-Toyota to lead the Indonesian monthly charts in at least two decades, and potentially since the early 1980s when Toyota was still establishing a presence in the country.

The Toyota Group places four nameplates below the Xpander: the Avanza (-42%), Calya (+7%), Daihatsu Sigra (+88%) and Toyota Kijang Innova (-5%). Excellent performances of the Honda HR-V (+44%), Toyota Rush (+31%) and Daihatsu Xenia (+16%) in the Top 10 while outside, notice the Daihatsu Terios propelled up 94% by the new generation, the Honda CR-V posting its first Top 20 ranking since last October at #16 and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport up 57%, potentially helped by the increased traffic in dealerships triggered by the Xpander. Although Chinese Wuling is steadily increasing its volumes month after month, the Confero S hasn’t been able to break into the Top 20 so far this year.

Previous month: Indonesia March 2018: Mitsubishi Xpander confirms leadership

One year ago: Indonesia April 2017: Toyota Avanza reclaims firm grip on market

Full January-April 2018 Top 10 brands and April Top 20 models below.