Mexico January 2019: Chevrolet (+110.7%) lifts market to first gain in 1.5 years

The Cavalier (+252.3%) helps Chevrolet up 110.7% in Mexico this month.

After 19 consecutive months of year-on-year declines, in January the Mexican new car market records its first uptick since May 2017 at +1.8% and 111.225 units. However, the reason behind this gain is a little controversial as it is solely linked to Chevrolet’s spectacular 110.7% year-on-year surge, itself due to a change in sales reporting methodology: up until January 2018 GM sales were wholesales but have been replaced in February 2018 by retail units. Without it, the market would be down for the 20th consecutive time at -7.4%. Undisturbed, Nissan (-11.7%) remains the best-selling carmaker in Mexico by far at 21% share vs. 15.8% for Chevrolet at #2. Volkswagen (-12.5%) closes the podium like last year, distancing Toyota (-3.3%) with Kia (+1%) shining once again and equalling its all-time share record at 7.2%. But it’s Suzuki (+25.3%) and Seat (+23.4%) that post the largest year-on-year gains in the Top 20 with Mitsubishi (+11.9%) and Mazda (+8.3%) also strong. Further down, Land Rover (+124.2%), Buick (+42.9%), Cadillac (+35.8%), GMC (+34.1%), Lamborghini (+33.3%), Volvo (+28.4%), Porsche (+16%) and Ferrari (+12.5%) are the healthiest.

Over in the models ranking, despite Chevrolet’s resurgence, it’s the Nissan Versa (-6.5%) that comes up tops this month after 4 consecutive months of reign by the Chevrolet Aveo (+132.2%) itself down to #2 above the Chevrolet Beat (+152.2%). The March (+20.8%) is the best performing Nissan at #4 while the Mazda3 (+7%) and Kia Rio (-0.1%) also resist well inside the Top 10. Below, the Chevrolet Cavalier (+252.3%), Toyota RAV4 (+190.7%), Mazda2 (+114.8%) and Chevrolet Trax (+109%) are the most impressive just as the Renault Oroch (#38) aka Duster Pickup and Honda BR-V (#50) are the only two recent launches (<12 months) inside the Top 50.

Previous post: Mexico Full Year 2018: Nissan Versa challenged by Chevrolet Aveo, Kia breaks records again

One year ago: Mexico January 2018: Kia hits record share, Chevy sinks 53% in market down 11.4%

Full January 2019 Top 40 All-brands and Top 285 All-models below.