China imports January 2020: BMW reclaims #1 spot, Lexus ES and NX strong in market down -24.8%

BMW scores its first #1 imported brand ranking in exactly a year in China.

Sales of imported cars in China freefall -24.8% year-on-year in January to 81.906 units. BMW (-18.6%) ends 11 consecutive months of Lexus domination to reclaim the brands top spot like in January 2019. Lexus (+3.2%) is down to #2 only 187 units above Mercedes (-16%), but the Japanese premium marque manages the only year-on-year gain in the Top 6. Indeed Toyota (-6.1%), Land Rover (-19.3%) and Porsche (-24.9%) all lose ground just below. Tesla (+335.7%) takes advantage of the Model 3 – which accounts for 90% of its January volume, to rank #7, down one spot on December but up two on its FY2019 result. However the kick-start of Model 3 local production will see Tesla imports reduce drastically over the next few months. The only additional January gainers are Dodge (+20.7%) and Bentley (+4.8%).

Over in the models ranking, the Lexus ES (+27.8%) posts a spectacular gain to cement its domination and sells almost 1.600 units more than the #2, the BMW X5 (-1.3%). The Mercedes GLE (-1.2%) is up 4 spots on December to #3, while Below the Porsche Cayenne (-15.8%), the Lexus NX (+22.7%) also ignores the depressed market context to lodge a double-digit year-on-year improvement. The Tesla Model 3 is down two ranks on December to #6 and the BMW 7 Series (+2.8%) is the last Top 10 model to score a year-on-year uptick at #8. Among recent launches, the BMW X7 (#27), Lincoln Nautilus (#34), Lexus UX (#40), Lincoln New Navigator (#47) and Audi Q8 (#48) also make it into the January Top 50.

Previous post: China imports Full Year 2019: Lexus takes control with ES and RX, Tesla Model 3 lands in Top 10

One year ago: China imports January 2019: BMW leads, Porsche and Audi shine in market down -10%

Full January 2020 Top 41 All imported brands and Top 203 All-models below.