China imports January 2024: Mercedes #1, sales up 36%

Mercedes is the most popular importer in China in January.

For once sales of new imported cars in China surge year-on-year at +36% to 75,052, even if this has a lot to do with the Lunar New Year falling in February this year vs. January in 2023. Brand-wise, Mercedes (+27.6%) outsells traditional leader Lexus (+83.7%) for the first time since last May, with BMW (+18.3%) rounding out the podium as usual. Audi (+160.1%) overtakes Porsche (-9.6%) for 4th place with Mini (+82.8%), Toyota (+77%) and Jeep (+44.9%) all outpacing the market in the remainder of the Top 10.

Over in the models charts, both the Lexus ES (+116%) and Mercedes GLE (+115.7%) more than double their sales year-on-year and tighten their grip on the market. The Mercedes GLS (+31.9%) and Porsche Cayenne (+22.1%) follow, the former up from #10 in December and #12 over the Full Year 2023 to #3. The Lexus RX (+274%), Audi Q7 (+220.6%) and BMW 4 Series (+63.5%) also post fantastic gains below.

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

One year ago: China imports January 2023: Land Rover shines, sales off -37.6%

Full January 2024 Top 36 All brands and Top 159 All models below.