Chile March 2020: MG (+85.5%) up to record #7 in market down -36.5%

The MG ZS is estimated to top the Chilean charts for the 2nd time in March.

The February 2020 post has now been updated with the Top 25 models.

Following the spread of COVID-19, a 90-day state of catastrophe was announced in Chile on March 18, followed by a national night-time curfew on March 22 and complete lockdowns in many communes including Greater Santiago starting March 26. As a result the new car market plummets -36.5% year-on-year in March to 19.177 units, the lowest volume for the month in at least 8 years and the weakest volume outright since February 2015 (18.233). The year-to-date tally is now down -19.4% to 76.306, the lowest at this stage of the year since 2016 (70.108).

Chevrolet (-25.1%) and Kia (-33.5%) hold onto the top 2 spots in the brands ranking with Hyundai (-40.3%), Suzuki (-41%), Peugeot (-26.8%) and Nissan (-52.8%) in tow. After breaking into the monthly Chilean Top 10 for the very first time last month (#8) and placing the ZS at an incredible pole position in the models charts, MG (+85.5%) doubles-down on this performance in March and improves its ranking record to #7, steady on its 4.7% share and evolving at complete odds with the overall market. Brilliance (+249.1%), Opel (+47%), Porsche (+36.4%), Geely (+3.4%) and Citroen (-0.8%) also stand out further down.

Previous month: Chile February 2020: MG ZS snaps world first #1, MG breaks into Top 10, Chinese above 20% share for the first time

One year ago: Chile March 2019: Leaders falter, MG (+60.8%), Mitsubishi (+46.5%) impress in market down -9.5%

Full March 2020 Top 60 brands ranking below.