China retail November 2023: Market up 19.1%, foreign sedans on the mend (for now?)

Nissan Sylphy sales are up 42.4% in November (ePower model pictured).

Chinese retail volumes of the selection of new vehicles we have in this report progress by a stunning +19.1% to 1,867,972 units. This is part (and only in part) due to weakened year-ago results due to covid lockdowns. It brings the year-to-date volume up 5.6% to 18,347,492. BSCB is the only non-Chinese medium to cover both wholesales (ex-factory shipments) and retail sales data for China so you can get the most complete picture of the largest new car market in the world. Retail sales tend to give a more authentic view of the market as they roughly correspond to registrations by end-customers. This way, they are more difficult to boost with exports, as is sometimes the case for wholesales. Note imports, pickups and medium to heavy commercials are not included in this dataset, but it sometimes includes a more detailed split by model variant.

BYD (+20.4%) is the favourite brand of Chinese car buyers once again but markedly slows down its growth on surreal progressions in the past year and a half. Note it is the second time in a row that BYD sales are down month-on-month. The Yuan Plus (+44%), Qin (+24.7%), Dolphin (+12.1%) and Qin Plus (+5.2%) are up but uncharacteristically many models are down this month, including the Seal (-65.4%), Tang (-32.3%), Han (-27.7%) and Song Plus (-12.6%). BYD ends the month in positive in great part thanks to the success of the Seagull breaking its record again in November. Even if it still trails the market, Volkswagen (+14.1%) finally performs much better than we have seen in recent past, thanks to great performances by the ID.3 (+322.5%), Tavendor (+127.9%), Magotan (+69.6%), Sagitar (+59.1%), Talagon (+58.1%), ID.4 Crozz (+49.1%), Polo (+44.1%) and Tayron (+41.7%). That’s a lot of models in frank positive and a very encouraging month for VW.

Toyota (-3.2%) is in trouble at #3 whereas Honda (+24.6%) and Geely (+45.6%) surge. Wuling (+18.2%) grows just a bit slower than the market, followed by a struggling Changan (-4.5%). Tesla (+5.2%) underperforms this month even though it ranks #8 vs. #12 year-to-date. BMW (+19.8%) wins the German premium race ahead of Audi (+22.6%) and Mercedes (-8.5%). In between, Nissan (+28.6%) and Buick (+25.8%) post unusually strong results but remain down sharply year-to-date (-20.9% and -15.1% respectively). Chery (+36.5%) also shines at #13 as does Haval (+31.3%) at #15. It’s an 8th straight month of all-time volume records for Li Auto (+168.4%) still unstoppable. Jetour (+137%), Aion (+59.7%) and Hongqi (+44.5%) also impress below while Xpeng (+214.1%) also breaks its volume record for the 2nd month in a row. We welcome BYD’s premium SUV brand Yangwang at #81.

Over in the models aisle, the Tesla Model Y (-4%) reclaims the top spot it holds year-to-date despite a year-on-year loss. The Nissan Sylphy (+42.4%) surprises with a tremendous year-on-year uptick enabling it to step up to #3 year-to-date. The next three models are BYD: the Seagull continues to rise volume-wise but drops two spots on last month to #3. It is followed by the Song Plus (-12.6%) and Qin Plus (+5.2%). The VW Lavida (+26.7%), VW Sagitar (+59.1%) and BYD Yuan Plus (+44%) all post market-beating gains while the BYD Dolphin (+12.1%) and a freefalling Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (-25.8%) round out the Top 10. The Wuling Bingo steps out of it at #11. Volume record breakers include the new Li L7 is up 8 spots on last month to #18, the Changan Lumin (+35.5%) and the AITO M7 (+270.2%).

Previous month: China retail October 2023: BYD Seagull #1, Li Auto and Xpeng break records

One year ago: China retail November 2022: Sales down -7.5%, BYD overtakes VW, Tesla Model Y #1

Full November 2023 Top 116 All brands and Top 690 All models below.