China Imports May 2019: Lexus (+54.5%) and BMW (+23.7%) top market up 8.8%

The Lexus UX has landed in China.

After scoring their first year-on-year gain of 2019 in April (+8.8%), new car imports into China accelerate to +18.4% in May to 99.449 units, leading to a year-to-date tally now down just -0.9% to 449.446. 8 of the Top 10 brands outpace the already galloping market, with Lexus (+54.5%) and BMW (+23.7%) topping the charts above Mercedes (-23.3%) and Tesla (+231.3%), Porsche (+82.7%), Audi (+78.2%), Toyota (+29.8%) and Mini (+28.7%) also impressive. Below, Lamborghini (+2450%), Alfa Romeo (+233.1%), Acura (+212.5%), Mitsubishi (+76.1%), Ferrari (+49.2%), Volvo (+39.3%), Rolls Royce (+39.2%) and Jeep (+25.8%) stand out.

First Chinese sale for the Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf.

Model-wise, below the Lexus ES (+88.1%) in very fine form, the Porsche Cayenne (+98.5%) shoots up 16 spots on April to #2 overall and is back up to #7 year-to-date as in over FY2018. The Lexus RX (+58.5%) ensures the podium is entirely outpacing the market. The Toyota Land Cruiser (+30.4%), Porsche Macan (+27.9%) and Mini (+26.2%) also shine in the Top 10 while the Tesla Model 3 is back up 7 spots on April to #8 and the BMW X2 is down 3 to #11. We welcome the Lexus UX at #42 and the very rare Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf, originally conceived for the Middle Eastern markets, appears at #215 with its first Chinese sale.

Previous post: China Imports April 2019: Lexus (+42.1%) sails off in first market lift this year (+8.8%)

One year ago: China Imports May 2018: Mercedes CLA, Lexus NX up in market down 4%

Full June 2019 Top 50 brands and Top 220 models below.