China imports Full Year 2025: Lexus island of growth in market down -11.5%

The Lexus ES has been the best-selling import in China for at least 9 years.

Consult 45 years of Chinese Historical Data here.

Sales of imported new cars continue on their downward spiral in China at -11.5% year-on-year in 2025 to 550,538. Strikingly, the only gainer in the Top 10 is market leader Lexus (a pure importer) up 3.3% to almost 185,000 units. The podium is unchanged on last year with Mercedes (-17.3%) and BMW (-11.5%) in tow. Note the gap between Lexus and Mercedes has grown from 20,500 units in 2023, 52,000 in 2024 and 80,000 now. Land Rover (-14.8%) gains two spots to #4 despite trailing the market, distancing Porsche (-23.3%) and Toyota (-10.6%) up one rank to #6. Volkswagen (-43.8%), Audi (-40.7%), Mini (-32.7%) and Volvo (-30.9%) all collapse. Below, Suzuki (+257.9%) defies the surrounding gloom with a fantastic uptick, with Maserati (+65.1%), Alfa Romeo (+44.5%), Honda (+26.9%) and Ferrari (+13%) also up but all selling less than 1,500 units.

Over in the models charts, two Lexus models are on top: the ES (+5.7%) improves further to remain in pole position. The ES has been the #1 import car in China ever since we started following this segment of the market back in 2017. There’s a change in 2nd place with the Lexus RX (+6.1%) overtaking a struggling Mercedes GLE (-25.6%). The Lexus NX (-7.6%) is up two spots to #4, leapfrogging post the Porsche Cayenne (-18.3%) and Range Rover (-19.5%). The BMW 4 Series (-0.4%) resists at #7, up from #9 in 2024. Further down, the BMW 2 Series (+46.9%) and Toyota Land Cruiser (+9.8%) stand out, as do the Mini (+26.5%), BMW 5 Series (+128.9%) and Mercedes CLE (+76.2%) below.

Previous year: China imports 2024: Lexus ES, Mercedes GLE and Lexus RX on top

Two years ago: China imports 2023: Lexus ES and Mercedes GLE dominate market off just -2.3%

Full December and Full Year 2025 Top 43 All brands and Top 170 All models vs. Full Year 2024 figures below.