The compact SUV segment in China continues to grow in scope in 2015. In response, the number of new compact SUV models put out by automotive manufacturers is also increasing. According to statistics from Gasgoo.com (Chinese), 134,267 compact SUVs were sold in China in May, representing year-on-year growth of 133.4%.
The Changan CS35 was the best-selling compact SUV in China in May, followed by the JAC Refine S3, Great Wall Haval H2, Cherry Tiggo 3, Honda Vezel, Honda XR-V, Hyundai ix25, Buick Enclave, Great Wall Haval H2 and Citroën C3-XR. Worth mentioning is that seven of the models on the list were new releases.
Domestic manufacturers continue to perform strongly, with half of the entries on the list coming from own brands. Furthermore, the older own brand entries on the chart all achieved commendable sales growth over the past few months. The leading compact SUV model, the Changan CS35, managed to post impressive sales growth of 50.2%. Likewise, although it was surpassed by newer models, the Tiggo 3 still managed to achieve year-on-year sales growth of 39.0%.
The month’s two most impressive newly-released own brand compact SUV models were the Refine S3 and Haval H2, sales of which totaled 12,400 units and 11,074 units, respectively. Despite the fact that both of these models have only been on the market for less than a year, they have managed to nab the number two and three spots, respectively.
The Haval H1’s performance places it on the lower end of the rankings this month. Whether or not the sales balance between the Haval H1 and Haval H2 will change over the upcoming months remains to be seen.
Foreign brands’ performance in the compact SUV segment lagged behind those of own brands’. Among them, Japanese brands’ performed the best, with two Honda models, the Vezel and the XR-V. Monthly sales of the two models totaled 9,659 units and 8,606 units, respectively. Japanese automotive brands’ resurgence is not only limited to the compact SUV segment, with their sales performances in the market as a whole recovering.
The remaining three foreign models on the list came from Beijing Hyundai, Shanghai GM and Dongfeng Citroën. Monthly sales of the ix25, Enclave and C3-XR totaled 8,371 units, 7,699 units and 5,643 units, respectively. Among them, the Enclave achieved sales growth of 18.4%.
