China imports November 2018: Lexus and Porsche shine, Tesla struggles in market down 4.8%

The Lexus ES flies above the competition in the imports ranking.

All-brands and All-models January 2017-November 2018 monthly data available, contact us here.

Complete Chinese imports data is now available for November, BSCB being the only media outside of China to report on these figures monthly. Under pressure from increased tariffs for U.S. imports (40% vs. 15% for non U.S.) even though these will be temporarily cut from January onwards, November new car imports into China drop 4.8% year-on-year to 100.471 units, yet the year-to-date tally remains in positive territory at +3.2% to 1.037.836.

Lexus (+31%) dominates the imported brands ranking head and shoulders for the 4th consecutive month, with its two rivals BMW (-5%) and Mercedes (-8%) both in negative. In the process, Lexus snaps the 2nd spot year-to-date off BMW, the 2017 leader, for just 17 units. Porsche (+28%) is extremely strong in 4th place, contrasting with debilitating post-WLTP weakness in Europe, keeping Toyota (-33%) at bay but remaining below the Japanese manufacturer YTD. Audi (+14%) and Lincoln (+9%) are the only two additional Top 10 brands to post a YoY gain in November, with Land Rover (-30%), Volkswagen (-21%) and Mini (-20%) in dire straits. Lotus (+467%), Chrysler (+73%) thanks to the new Pacifica, Aston Martin (+64%), McLaren (+64%), Mitsubishi (+60%) thanks to the Pajero, Alfa Romeo (+54%) thanks to the Stelvio, Bentley (+44%) thanks to the Bentayga, Rolls Royce (+42%) and Jeep (+16%) also shine further down but Buick (-92%), Suzuki (-92%), Kia (-87%), Dodge (-83%), Citroen (-73%), Ssangyong (-72%), Jaguar (-67%), Ram (-56%), Infiniti (-46%), Tesla (-38%), Acura (-36%), GMC (-36%) and Ford (-21%) all implode.

The BMW X2 has landed in China as an import.

Model-wise, the Lexus ES (+31%) brilliantly cements its newfound YTD lead and even posts the largest monthly volume of any imported nameplate in the past two years at 7.925, although though it remains well into negative territory so far this year (-15%). The BMW X5 (-4%) holds onto the 2nd spot with Lexus placing three nameplates in the Top 4 with the RX (+34%) and NX (+25%). The Porsche Cayenne (+50%), Mercedes GLE (+28%) and S-Class (+23%) also sign fantastic gains in the remainder of the Top 10. Notice also the BMW 6 Series GT (+635%), Porsche 718 (+334%), BMW 5 Series (+119%), Audi A5 (+94%), Mitsubishi Pajero (+60%), Mercedes GLS (+55%), Lincoln MKX (+43%) and Mercedes Maybach S-Class (+42%) all strong in the Top 50. This month we welcome the BMW X2 at #31 with over 1.000 sales and the Ferrari Portofino at #184 with 5 units.

Previous month: China imports October 2018: Lexus ES back in charge in market up 4.9%

Previous year: China Full Year 2017: Exclusive imports data by model and brand

Full November 2018 Top 50 All-brands and Top 225 All-models below.