Chile May 2023: Nissan (+102.2%), Peugeot (+13.6%) ignore market sinking -32.4%

Nissan Kicks sales soar 130.3% year-on-year in May.

The Chilean new car market continues to collapse in May at -32.4% year-on-year to 37,887 and is now down -26.7% year-to-date at 136,535 units. Passenger Cars sink -40.1% to 5,680 for the month and also -40.1% to 28,551 year-to-date. SUVs drop -31.2% to 11,092 in May and -29.9% to 57,932 YTD, while Pickups resist best at -22.2% to 5,279 and just -1.9% so far this year at 33,706. Finally vans are down -36.2% to 2,675 and -24.6% YTD to 16,346.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (-26.9%) cements its leadership easily dominating with 10.3% share, distancing Kia (-17.8%) at 6.5% and Chevrolet (-48.9%) freefalling at #3. In fact the entire Top 4 is unchanged on April with Suzuki (-42.7%) at #4. Despite the poor market, some Top 10 brands manage year-on-year lifts: Nissan (+102.2%) is the most impressive at #6 followed by Peugeot (+13.6%) at #5, Ford (+6.1%) at #8 and Citroen (+5.6%) at #10. For once Chinese carmakers at -41.8% to 28.7% share vs. 29.5% year-to-date.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (+34.9%) repeats at #1, selling double the volume of the #2, the Kia Soluto up one rank on last month. The Maxus T60 (-55.8%) climbs back up to third place, a ranking it also holds year-to-date. The Citroen Berlingo (+110.3%) is up 13 spots on April to #4, distancing the Suzuki Swift (+85.2%), Nissan Kicks (+130.3%) and Peugeot Partner (+47.7%) all in outstanding shape especially given the depleted context. The Chevrolet Groove (+5.6%) is also up in the remainder of the Top 10.

Previous month: Chile April 2023: Toyota Hilux takes charge in collapsing market (-48.4%)

One year ago: Chile May 2022: Maxus T60 repeats at #1, Changan CX70 at #6, sales up 11%

Full May 2023 Top 60 All brands and Top 30 models below.