China imports Full Year 2023: Lexus ES and Mercedes GLE dominate market off just -2.3%

The Lexus ES is the best-selling import in China for the 7th year in a row.

Discover 40 years worth of Chinese Historical Data here.

Sales of new imported light vehicles in China drastically slow down their fall in 2023, from -19% in 2022 to just -2.3% this year at 739,545 units. The Top 4 brands all drop faster than the market with Lexus at -6.8%, Mercedes at -4.6%, BMW at -11.4% and Porsche at -14.6%. In contrast Audi (+41.9%), Land Rover (+43.2%) and Toyota (+24.1%) all post flamboyant gains with Volvo (+4.7%) also in positive. With the Model S and X available again, Tesla is back in the imported charts at #11. Pure importers Subaru (-39.3%) and Jeep (-47.6%) both implode. Further down, Jaguar (+74%), Suzuki (+93.1%) and Mazda (+402.9%) stand out.

Model-wise, the Lexus ES (+11.1%) increase its footprint on the market, while the Mercedes GLE (+0.6%) and Porsche Cayenne (-20.6%) both overtake the Lexus RX (-45.3%) in complete freefall. The Lexus ES has now been the #1 import each year since 2017. The Lexus NX (+32.6%) surges from #12 last year to #5, distancing the Mercedes S-Class (-9%) and Porsche Panamera (+2.3%). At #8, the Land Rover Defender (+61.8%) manages the largest gain in the Top 12 while the BMW 4 Series (+27.1%) is also solid at #9.

Previous year: China imports 2022: Lexus and ES dominate again, Porsche up 1.3% in market freefalling -19%

Two years ago: China imports 2021: Lexus ES and BMW X5 top market down -6.9%

Full December 2023 Top 37 All brands and Top 160 All models below.

Full Year 2023 Top 40 All brands and Top 175 All models vs. Full Year 2022 figures below.