China imports September 2023: Lexus reclaims top spot, Toyota, Audi, Land Rover shine in market edging down -3.1%

Audi Q7 sales more than double year-on-year in September.

New imports in China slow down their fall in September and edge down -3.1% year-on-year to 65,714, leading to a year-to-date tally off -7.5% at 535,554. Lexus (+0.9%) goes against the negative market and ends the month with a 3,000+ advantage over Mercedes (-10%). As a result Lexus reclaims the year-to-date top spot over Mercedes. BMW (-14.2%) and Porsche (-13.4%) follow but struggle. In contrast Toyota (+102.1%), Audi (+48.8%) and Land Rover (+36.1%) shine in the remainder of the Top 10. Now that the Model S and X are back in the charts, Tesla maintains itself at #11. Mazda (+1620%) and Ford (+60.8%) as well as a returning Honda (#17) are the only additional gainers in the Top 30.

Model-wise, the Lexus ES (+20%) and Mercedes GLE (+25.4%) both surge ahead whereas the Lexus RX (-30.4%) and Porsche Cayenne (-11.4%) skid despite the latter gainings 18 spots on August. The Toyota Alphard (+30.1%) advances 6 ranks to #5 just as the Mercedes S-Class (-20.7%) stays at #6. The rest of the Top 10 entirely defies the depleted context with at least double-digit gains. The Audi Q7 is up 113.8%, the BMW 4 Series up 47.3%, the Land Rover Defender up 39.2% and the Porsche Panamera up 16.5%. Further down, notice the Toyota Land Cruiser (+3948.5%), Range Rover (+175.9%) and Audi A5 (+147.8%).

Previous month: China imports August 2023: Audi, Land rover impress in market off -17.8%

One year ago: China imports September 2022: Lexus ES, Mercedes S-Class surge ahead in market down -12.3%

Full September 2023 Top 36 All brands and Top 150 All models below.