China retail September 2022: Market up 10.3%, BYD lodges 4th straight volume record, Tesla Model Y #1

The Tesla Model Y is the best-selling vehicle in China in September.

Retail sales of the selection of vehicles included in this update are up 10.3% year-on-year to 1,805,307 units, with a year-to-date volume now down just -3.7% to 14,197,788. BSCB is the only non-Chinese medium to cover both wholesales (ex-factory shipments) and retail sales data for China so you can get the most complete picture of the largest new car market in the world. Retail sales tend to give a more authentic view of the market as they roughly correspond to registrations by end-customers. This way, they are more difficult to boost with exports, as is often the case for wholesales. Note imports, pickups and medium to heavy commercials are not included in this dataset, but it sometimes includes a more detailed split by model variant.

Volkswagen (+17.4%) once again beats the market thanks to stay in the brands lead. It is helped by very strong performances by the T-Roc (+176.7%), Golf (+127.5%), Sagitar (+110%), Magotan (+91.7%), Lamando (+90.9%), Teramont X (+72.3%), Viloran (+53.2%), Tayron X (+50.6%) and Passat (+32.6%). The brand’s EV vehicles seem to have plateaued at a relatively low level: all are down on last month except the ID.6 Crozz, also up 288.9% year-on-year. The ID.3 (new), ID.4 Crozz (+55.9% yoy), ID.4 X (-3%) and ID.6 X (+5.9%) all backtrack compared to August.

The BYD Dolphin breaks its volume record again in September.

The hero of the month is once again BYD (+122.1%) more than doubling its sales year-on-year to sport a 4th consecutive all-time record month just under 167,000 units. For perspective, up until May 2022 the brand’s record volume was 107,131 reached in December 2021. Virtually all models deliver outstanding gains, with the Dolphin (+1371.6%) breaking its monthly record for the third straight time at just under 26,000 units, the new Destroyer and Seal also at all-time highs as well as the Song Plus (+109.1%) and Tang (+130.7%).

Toyota (+61.6%) is relegated to third place despite a whopping year-on-year uptick. The Japanese brand is lifted by solid performances by the Wildlander (+164.8%), Camry (+67.7%), Corolla (+63.9%), Yaris L (+47.1%), Levin (+39.6%), Levin GT (+36%) and RAV4 (+30.5%) as well as successful launches  by the Front Lander (10,371), its twin the Corolla Cross (9,892) and Sienna (7,191). In fourth position, Honda (-19%) goes completely against the market with a hefty year-on-year loss, despite the Inspire (+26.2%), Accord (+25.7%), Crider (+7.3%) and Civic (+7.2%) all in positive and the new Integra (5,760).

The LI L9 sells over 10,000 units for its first month in market.

Changan (+21.4%) posts a dynamic result to remain in 5th place while Tesla (+47.7%) soars to #6 vs. #16 last month, equally its ranking record hit last March but just under the volume record it hit last June. BMW (+39.1%) and Buick (+11.1%) are also in positive in the remainder of the Top 10 whereas Nissan (-13.2%) and Wuling (-6.4%) struggle. Just below, Audi (+70.4%) and Mercedes (+66.4%) manage fantastic upticks as does GAC (+27.7%). No other Top 20 carmaker beats the market, with Haval (-35.2%) and Roewe (-36.5%) freefalling. Among New Energy startups, Neta (+571.1%) smashes its volume record to 15,489 at #25 overall, with LI (+58%), Leap Motor (+186%), AITO (record 8,646), Geometry (+212.4%) and Voyah (+114.9%) also outstanding. 

In the models ranking, the Tesla Model Y (+39.8%) lodges a 2nd ever monthly win after last June but doesn’t break its volume record.It now ranks #4 year-to-date which gives a more realistic view of its success as the brand continues to backload sales to end-of-quarter months. With this result and the potential #1 ranking in Europe as well as strong US volumes, the Model Y should be the best-selling vehicle in the world in September… The Nissan Sylphy (-11.3%) is toppled to #2 and the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (-3%) to #3. The BYD Song Plus (+109.1%) remains in 4th place above the VW Lavida (-8.5%) while the Tesla Model 3 (+61.4%) shoots up 132 spots on last month to #6. All remaining Top 10 models outpace the market, with the BYD Dolphin (+1371.6%) reaching a record 8th place, the Han (+151.5%) and Qin Plus (+53.6%) making it four BYDs in the Top 10 and the Toyota Corolla (+63.9%) in great shape. Notice also the new LI L9 landing directly at #52 with over 10,000 sales.

Previous month: China retail August 2022: BYD (+142.6%) continues on stellar run with new record, market up 19.4%

One year ago: China retail September 2021: Tesla Model Y up to #4, sales down -14.1%

Full September 2022 Top 120 all brands and Top XXX all models below.