China imports July 2023: Audi (+46.8%), Land Rover (+30.4%) defy sinking market (-24.8%)

The Land Rover Defender is the 4th best-selling import in China in July.

Just as exports soar to record levels, the Chinese import less and less models in the country, with July volumes off -24.8% to 57,354 units. Keep in mind July 2022 was already down -12.9% on the year prior. This leads to a year-to-date tally down -7.2% to 409,004. Lexus (-22%) confirms it is back on top of the imported brands charts, with Mercedes (-28.8%) at #2. Mercedes however retains the year-to-date pole position, almost 8,000 units above Lexus. BMW (-20.7%) stays at #3 both for the month and YTD. Audi (+46.8%) and Land Rover (+30.4%) go completely against the sinking market and sign the only two year-on-year gains in the Top 12. 

Model-wise, Lexus holds the first two spots with the ES (-0.9%) managing to posts a stable volume year-on-year and selling 3.6 times the amount of the #2, the Lexus RX (-45.2%). The Mercedes GLE (-39.9%) repeats at #3 above the Land Rover Defender (+36.8%) scoring a fantastic gain. The Mercedes S Class (-21.9%) and Porsche Panamera (-15.8%) keeps their loss below the market rate and distance a stable Lexus NX (-0.1%). The Audi Q7 (+40.3%) and BMW 4 Series (+2.3%) sign the only additional gains in the Top 10. Below, the Audi A5 (+251.1%) and Range Rover (+158.5%) stand out.

Previous month: China imports June 2023: Lexus ES ultra dominant in market down -12.4%

One year ago: China imports July 2022: Porsche soars +41.9% in market down -12.9%

Full July 2023 Top 37 All brands and Top 154 All models below.