Taiwan Full Year 2019: Toyota Corolla resists RAV4 assault, Nissan Kicks up to #3

The Toyota Corolla and RAV4 battled for the top spot in Taiwan in 2019.

Consult 15 years worth of Taiwanese Historical Data here

The Taiwanese new car market bounces back slightly in 2019 with sales up a shy 1.1% year-on-year to 439.836 units. Toyota (+16.2%) tightens its grip on the brands charts even further, posting the only double-digit gain in the Top 10 and reaching 27.2% share, almost 3 times any other carmaker in the country. In contrast, Honda (-14.9%) and Mitsubishi/CMC (-3.3%) both skid down while Nissan/Infiniti (+2.7%) and Mercedes (+0.3%) edge up in the remainder of the Top 5. Ford (+28.7%) and Lexus (+25.2%) are the best performers in the Top 10 with BMW (+3.8%) also in shape but Mazda (-35.2%) and Volkswagen (-7.7%) dive.

The Nissan Kicks ends its first full year of sales at #3.

Model-wise, the Toyota Corolla (+9.9%) celebrates at least 15 consecutive years as the best-selling vehicle in Taiwan, holding off a stunning Toyota RAV4 (+57.5%) helped by the new generation to the monthly top spot 4 times in 2019. Less than 1.000 units separate the two nameplates and the RAV4 ends up below the Corolla unlike last month, this due to June figures incorrectly reported. The Nissan Kicks (+529.9%) also shines, ending its first full year in the Taiwanese market at a brilliant #3, its highest annual ranking anywhere in the world. It knocks the Honda CR-V (-11.8%) down to #4, while the CMC Veryca (+7.5%) and Toyota Yaris (+9.3%) hold onto the #5 and #6 spots. Also thanks to a new model, the Ford Focus (+141.5%) shoots up 17 spots on 2018 to land at #8. Notice also the Lexus UX up to #22 for its first full year, and the Tesla Model 3 directly landing at #10 in December for its first month in market.

Previous month: Taiwan November 2019: Toyota RAV4 confirms YTD domination in market up 13%

Previous year: Taiwan 2018: Toyota (-10%) weak, Honda (+14%), Lexus (+23%), VW (+18%) sturdy in declining market

Two years ago: Taiwan 2017: Toyota and Corolla leads, Honda up 25%

Full Year 2019 Top 10 brands and Top 80 models vs. Full Year 2018 figures below.

Full December 2019 Top 10 brands and Top 80 models below.