Chile January 2023: MG (+64.1%), Toyota (+9.5%) defy market sinking -25.9%

The Mitsubishi Triton vastly outpaces its competitors this month.

In line with the last few months, the Chinese new light vehicle market is hit hard in January at -25.9% year-on-year to 27,617 sales. Note January 2022 is a very high comparison base as it established a new record for the month. Passenger cars crumble -45.9% to 5,760 whereas SUVs resist at -15.3% to 12,244 and pickups do even better at -4.7% to 6,867. Vans fall -44.8% to 2,746. The Top 5 brands are unchanged on December, with Toyota (+9.5%) defying the negative market, Chevrolet (-36.3%) in a rut, Hyundai (-11.1%) limiting is fall and Peugeot (-39.8%) in trouble. Mitsubishi (+13.4%), MG (+64.1%) and Kia (+3.4%) are the additional gainers in the Top 10. Chinese brands drop -29.4% to a round 30% share vs. 32.9% over the Full Year 2022.

In the models charts, the Mitsubishi L200 (+27.4%) goes against the market decline and kills the competition at 5.1% share vs. 2.8% for its immediate follower the Toyota Hilux (-2.9%). The Chevrolet Groove (+16.9%) aka Baojun 510 is up one spot on December to #3, distancing the MG ZS (+37.8%) and Suzuki Swift (+9.3%) also in great shape. The Toyota Raize (#8) is the other great performer in the Top 10 with the Nissan Navara (-6.8%) containing its drop but the Nissan Versa (-46.6%), Maxus T60 (-45.1%) and Suzuki Baleno (-34%) all freefall.

Previous post: Chile 2022: Mitsubishi L200 and Maxus T60 top record market, Chinese hold 32.9% share

One year ago: Chile January 2022: Chery up to #2, Tiggo 2 leads in market up 49.2% to record January

Full January 2023 Top 63 all brands and Top 45 models below.