Kuwait January-May 2019: Nissan Sunny (+165%) teases Toyota Prado (-16.9%) for #1 in market up for first time in 4 years (+10%)

The Nissan Sunny lurks in 2nd place only 105 sales below the Toyota Prado.

After losing ground for 3 consecutive years from 2016 to 2018, new car sales in Kuwait have bottomed up at +10% over the first 5 months of 2019 to 44.356 units. Brand leader Toyota (+13.4%) outpaces the market to lift its share to 32.2%, almost 3 times the level of the #2 Nissan (+29.3%) while Chevrolet (+15.1%) completes a podium that 100% outperforms the overall growth. Ford (+20.6%), Hyundai (+12.7%) and Honda (+12.5%) also shine in the Top 10 but Mitsubishi (-29.3%), GMC (-6.8%), Kia (-5%) and Lexus (-1.5%) reverse back. Notice the arrival of Chinese brand Changan directly among the Top 20 best-selling brands with 0.6% share.

The Toyota Prado (-16.9%) manages to remain the most popular model in Kuwait over the period, but a 9th straight year on top is less than certain, with the Nissan Sunny (+165%) surging up 5 spots to #2 just 105 sales below.  The Toyota Land Cruiser (+31.8%) rounds up the podium like a year ago, distancing the Toyota Camry (+26.5%) and Hilux (+29.1%). The Mazda6 (+249.8%), Nissan X-Trail (+102.8%), Mitsubishi L200 (+76.9%), Ford F-Series (+79.1%) and Toyota Yaris (+59.5%) also make themselves noticed in the Top 20. The MG RX5 (#38), Hyundai Elantra (#43), Toyota Rush (#60) and Honda HR-V (#64) are the most successful new launches.

January 2005 – May 2019 All-Makes and All-Models monthly/annual data available. Contact us here for more details

Previous post: Kuwait Full Year 2018: Toyota Prado (-18.7%) leads for 8th straight year but Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Camry catch up

One year ago: Kuwait First Half 2018: Toyota Prado retains lead, Mitsubishi Pajero up

Full January-May 2019 Top 35 All-brands and Top 50 models below.