China imports March 2024: Lexus (+47.7%), Mini (+16%), Toyota (+14.1%) impress in declining market (-16.5%)

Mini sales buck the negative trend in March.

Sales of new imported cars in China skid -16.5% year-on-year in March to 52,807 units, leading to a year-to-date volume down -7.3% to 161,152. Lexus (+47.7%) easily repeats as the #1 brand and catches up on a weak yer-ago performance. Mercedes (-36.9%) freefalls but stays #2, with the Top 4 identical to last month and YTD, with BMW (-14.6%) at #3 and Audi (-15.4%) at #4. Land Rover (-11.6%) climbs two spots to #5, overtaking Porsche (-53.1%) and Toyota (+14.1%). Mini (+16%) also shines at #8. 

Over in the models lane, the Top 4 is also the same as last month and YTD. The Lexus ES (+78.5%) sells over three times the amount of the #2, the Mercedes GLE (-12.2%). In third place, the Lexus RX (+5740%) rallies back up on a dismal March 2023 result and the Mercedes S-Class (+2.6%) follows at #4. The Range Rover (+13.6%), BMW 4 Series (+9.1%) and Audi A5 (+4.3%) also impress in the remainder of the Top 10.

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

One year ago: China imports March 2023: Volkswagen, Volvo, Land Rover shine in stable market (-1.6%)

Full March 2024 Top 38 All brands and Top 168 All models below.