China imports May 2023: Audi (+74.5%) shines, Porsche places three models in Top 7

Audi Q7 sales in China are up 273.9% in May.

Imports of new cars in China gain 8% year-on-year in May to 58,400 units, keeping in mind May 2022 was off -31.8% on the year prior. The year-to-date tally is now down -1.3% to 289,680. Mercedes (+9.4%) hold onto the brands top spot but this month the gap with #2 Lexus (-9.1%) is just 228 sales. Porsche (+0.4%) overtakes BMW (+4.2%) for third place with Audi (+74.5%), Land Rover (+62.3%) and Volvo (+23.3%) all posting fantastic upticks below. In contrast Toyota (-15%) and Mini (-31%) freefall but Volkswagen (+42%) shows solid health and rounds out the Top 10.

Model-wise, the Lexus ES (+11.1%) easily tops the charts again and sells more than twice the amount of the #2, the Mercedes GLE (+1.9%). The Porsche Cayenne (-14.2%) stays in third position above the Lexus RX (-28.6%) in difficulty at #4 and the Porsche Panamera (+44.8%) up four spots on April to #5. The Macan (+5.6%) makes it three Porsches in the Top 7 while the Audi Q7 (+273.9%) surges ahead in 8th place. Further down, the Land Rover Defender (+62.6%), Range Rover (+188.6%) and Audi A5 (+59.2%) impress. 

Previous month: China imports April 2023: Land Rover Defender (+112%) shoots up to #4, sales up 28.4%

One year ago: China imports May 2022: Jeep (+28.9%) only gainer in the Top 20 in market sinking -31.8%

Full May 2023 Top 37 All brands and Top 158 All models below.