Small SUVs undoubtedly comprise the fastest growing segment in the Chinese passenger automotive market, due to the continued introduction of new models and sustained rapid sales growth. The segment has been attributed with driving growth for the market as a whole. According to statistics from Gasgoo.com (Chinese), the small SUV market grew 168.9% over the first half of the year. A total of 812,100 small SUVs were sold from January to June of this year, compared to 302,100 units sold over the first half of last year. The small SUV segment’s stake in the overall SUV market increased 13.5 percentage points.
The JAC Refine S3 was the best-selling small SUV over the first six months of the year. It was followed by the Changan CS35, Great Wall Haval H2, Cherry Tiggo 3, Honda Vezel, Honda XR-V, Hyundai ix5, Buick Encore, Great Wall Haval H1 and Ford EcoSport. The own brand models on the list achieved considerably higher rates of year-on-year sales growth when compared to rival foreign brand models.
Sales of the JAC Refine S3 over the first half of the year totaled 91,859 units. The Refine S3, which debuted last August, has managed to attract a great number of buyers due to its stylish exterior design, practical features and competitive price point. Average monthly sales of the Refine S3 continue to exceed the 15,000 unit mark.
Next on the charts was the Changan CS35, whose sales for the six month time period totaled 88,754 units. The CS35’s average monthly sales volume is also above the 15,000 unit mark. Sales of the CS35 have increased 65.2% from last year, making it one of Changan’s most important models. With an attractive design, rich selection of features and reasonable price, the CS35 has successfully manage to attract its fair share of buyers, making it the best-selling small SUV of 2014.
Two of Great Wall’s key SUVs, the Haval H2 and Haval H2, made the top ten sales charts. The former achieved sales volumes of 77,158 units, making it the third best-selling small SUV model, while the latter achieved sales of 37,134 units. One of the previously strong-selling Great Wall small SUV models, the M4, slipped off the charts as its sales fell 54.6%, with only 23,441 units sold over the first half of this year.
In addition to own brands, Japanese brand SUVs also performed fairly strongly, with both the Vezel and XR-V placing relatively high in the sales charts with respective sales totals of 52,398 units and 49,949 units sold. These two models were both major drivers of growth for Honda in China.
Having been launched last October, the Hyundai ix25 was another new model on this year’s sales charts, with total sales of 47,901 units.
