Chile July 2023: Ford (+27.3%), Suzuki (+7.7%) ignore imploding market

The Ford Ranger is up 10-fold in July thanks to the new generation.

It’s another mediocre month for Chilean new light vehicle sales, sinking -39.8% year-on-year to just 23,051 units. The year-to-date tally is now down -30.1% to 182,262. This situation is due to restrictions on access to financing for families and companies, together with the lower liquidity of Chilean households and the weakness of the country’s economic activity. Passenger Cars drop -44.8% to 5,025 for the month and -42% to 38,318 year-to-date, SUVs are down -35.5% to 11,039 in July and -31.4% to 79,713 YTD, pickups are off -44% to 4,721 this month but just -13.2% to 43,236 so far this year. Finally vans sink -38% to 2,266 and -27% YTD to 20,995.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (-41.6%) remains by far the most popular with 9.1% share, distancing Hyundai (-21%) at 7.8% and managing a somewhat satisfying performance. Chevrolet (-53.7%) implodes in third position but Suzuki (+7.7%) impresses with a year-on-year gain at #4. Ford (+27.3%) is the only additional gainer in the Top 10 just as Nissan (-13.8%), Peugeot (-27.2%) and Kia (-29.8%) resist somewhat and MG (-61%) and Volkswagen (-55.2%) implode. Haval (+76%), Subaru (+25.6%) and Jetour (+120.4%) progress below.

Over in the models lane, the Toyota Hilux (-6.7%) resists to repeat at #1 with 3.7% share. It is however still #2 year-to-date below the Mitsubishi L200, despite the latter falling out of the July Top 30 with sales down -92.3% year-on-year. The Chevrolet Groove (+107.9%) more than doubles its sales YoY to stay at #2 ahead of the Peugeot Partner (+35.8%) also in great shape on the third step of the podium. The Ford Ranger (+907%) is the hero of the month thanks to the new generation and climbs 11 spots on June to #4. The Suzuki Swift (+312.2%), Baleno (+231.1%) and Hyundai Tucson (+12.7%) also defy the market with positive results in the remainder of the Top 10.

Previous month: Chile June 2023: Ford, Mazda, Great Wall among best performers in market off -37.4%

One year ago: Chile July 2022: Mitsubishi L200 takes control in market edging up 0.2%

Full July 2023 Top 61 All brands and Top 30 models below.