Summary: October sales figures of top performing automakers’ best-selling models

As with any most other industries, the automotive industry is prone to having a handful of major manufacturers controlling the majority of the market share. Despite the fact that there are hundreds of automobile models for sale in China, a select few bring in the vast majority of sales. Following those trends, consumers looking to purchase a new vehicle often tend first to look to the most popular models to understand what they want, which further adds to those models’ notoriety. Below is a brief summary of models from the six largest automobile manufacturers in China: Shanghai VW, Shanghai GM, FAW-VW, SAIC-GM-Wuling, Changan Automobile and Dongfeng Nissan.

Currently, Shanghai VW sells a total of 18 models from its VW and Skoda brands in the country. The majority of its sales, however, came from the just three models: the New Lavida (pictured above), Tiguan and Santana.

Over a quarter of VW’s sales for the month came from the New Lavida alone, whose sales totaled 47,463 units, making it not only the brand’s best-selling model but also October’s most popular sedan. Meanwhile, sales of the Tiguan and Santana both exceeded the 20,000 units mark, accounting for just over a tenth of VW’s total overall sales each. Sales of the VW Polo and Skoda Octavia’s sales were also respectable, accounting for 9% and 8% of the automaker’s total sales, respectively.

Shanghai GM sells three brands in China: Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac. Among them Buick is the most important in the country, with six of Shanghai GM’s best-selling models in the country being Buicks, with the remaining four all being Chevrolets.

The New Excelle (pictured above) was Shanghai GM’s best selling model in October, with its 37,269 units sold accounting for 22% of all GM models sold in the country over the course of the month. Following the retirement of the Kaiyue Excelle in August, sales of the New Excelle have been constantly rising. Monthly sales of the Buick Envision were also very strong, totaling 22,061 units and making up 13% of Shanghai GM’s total sales. The Envision owes its popularity to its powerful performance and wealth of features. The Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano also performed well in the market, with their monthly sales figures both exceeding 15,000 units.

FAW-VW stands out for its lack of reliance on SUV models, with its top three selling models, the Sagitar (pictured above), Jetta and New Bora all being sedans. Sales of the Sagitar accounted for nearly 20% of all of the manufacturer’s sales in October. Total sales of the Sagitar totaled 32,360 units. The Jetta was not far behind, with total sales of 28,911 units. Sales of the New Bora also exceeded the 20,000 mark. Combined, these three models alone accounted for just over half of FAW-VW’s total sales in October. However there are concerns that with such a heavy reliance on one segment, FAW-VW risks internal competition in addition to the dangers already inherent in putting so many eggs in a single basket.

SAIC-GM-Wuling’s three top selling models, the Hongguang, Baojun 730 and Baojun 560, accounted for a whopping 90% of the Sino-American joint venture’s sales in October. Sales of the Hongguang totaled 60,820 units, making up nearly half of the JV’s total sales output for the month. This result is unsurprising considering the Hongguang’s dominance in the MPV sector. The two Baojun models were also remarkably well-received with sales of 275,676 units and 258,299 units, respectively. Thanks to these three popular models, SAIC-GM-Wuling has succeeded in becoming one of the country’s most recognizable automotive brands, with its revenue for 2015 totaling 92.25 billion RMB and net profits adding up to 5.01 billion RMB.

Changan Automobile has been one of the rising stars among domestic automobile manufacturers in China in recent years. October sales performance results of its best-selling models are indicative of this trend. Monthly sales of its best-selling model, the CS75 (pictured above), totaled 23,709 units, accounting for a fifth of the manufacturer’s sales overall. The model’s sales growth has slightly declined in face of increasing competition from a rival own brand SUV model, GAC’s Trumpchi GS4. Meanwhile the Eado and CS35 each contributed 14% to Changan’s total sales. The Eado is notable for being one of the very few domestic brand own brand sedans that has managed to constantly bring in respectable sales numbers. Meanwhile the Honor, Oushang and CX70 each accounted for almost a tenth of Changan’s total sales.

Dongfeng Nissan remains Dongfeng’s top performing automotive venture, as well as the country’s top performing Japanese brand. Dongfeng Nissan’s model lineup has overall been well received, with its entire range being well received in the country. Its constantly best-selling model is the Bluebird Sylphy (pictured above), whose October sales totaled 40,171 units, accounting for over a third of the manufacturer’s sales for the month.