China imports April 2024: Lexus ES distant leader, Range Rover up to #5

The Range Rover hits a record ranking in April.

Sales of new imported cars in China drop -11.4% year-on-year in April to 50,887 units, leading to a year-to-date tally off -8.3% to 212,089. Imports are now dwarfed by exports which passes the 500,000 monthly unit mark for the first time in April at 504,000 (+13%). Lexus (+48.7%) goes completely against the negative market and surges 48.7% year-on-year to over 14,000 units. Lexus is also up 42.7% year-to-date, as it was particularly weak at the start of 2023. In contrast Mercedes (-31.7%) and BMW (-21.8%) struggle and complete the podium. Land Rover (+0.9%) edges up on an already very strong year-ago volume (+74.8%). Porsche (-39.2%) and Audi (-16.7%) lose share year-on-year whereas Toyota (+37.2%) and Mini (+17.1%) impress like last month.

The Lexus ES (+68.8%) remains by far the favourite import of Chinese customers, selling over three times the amount of the #2, the Mercedes GLE (-11.6%). The Lexus RX (+14.6%), also in great shape, rounds out the podium. The Land Rover Defender (-0.3%) jumps 8 spots on last month to #4, a record ranking it also held in April and July 2023. The Range Rover (+16.7%) excels and gains one rank on March to #5, the nameplate’s highest ranking since we started following Chinese imports in January 2017. All remaining models in the Top 10 are in negative, with only the Volvo XC90 (-6.8%) falling slower than the market.

Previous month: China imports March 2024: Lexus, Mini, Toyota impress in declining market (-16.5%)

One year ago: China imports April 2023: Land Rover Defender (+112%) shoots up to #4, sales up 28.4%

Full April 2024 Top 40 All brands and Top 153 All models below.