China imports February 2024: Lexus back to #1, market down -40.6%

Lexus RX

The Lunar New Year holidays falling in February this year instead of January in 2023, sales of new imported cars in China drop -40.6% year-on-year this month to just 32,968. However the two-month total, reflecting the real evolution of the market, is down just -2% to 108,442, a solid performance for imports which usually are on a steeper downward trend. After falling to #2 in January, Lexus (-7.8%) markedly beats the market to return to its traditional pole position. Mercedes (-49.2%) and BMW (-46.1%) fall even faster than the average and complete the podium like they did over the Full Year 2023. Audi (-32.1%) is a little stronger at #4, distancing Toyota (-20.3%), Land Rover (-46.6%) and Volvo (-42.1%).

Model-wise, the Lexus ES (+9.3%) goes agains the negative market to score an ultra dominant result at over 6,000 sales. This is almost 3 times the amount of the #2, the Mercedes GLE (-21.3%). In third place, the Lexus RX (+974%) compensates for a particularly poor year-ago volume. Below, the Mercedes S-Class (-43.8%), Porsche Cayenne (-47.7%) and Toyota Alphard (-52.2%) all fall faster than the market. Notice also the BMW 7 Series (+13.3%), Toyota Land Cruiser (+817.6%) and Prado (+83.9%) all posting solid gains. The Lexus RZ lands at #37 however these it has been on sale for a few months and its previous months’ sales have been updated.

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

One year ago: China imports February 2023: Mercedes stays #1, Porsche, Toyota stand out, sales up 30.6%

Full February 2024 Top 38 All brands and Top 153 All models below.