Small SUVs that combine the characteristics of sedans and compact SUVs have been growing in popularity in the Chinese passenger automobile. According to statistics from Gasgoo.com (Chinese), small SUVs accounted for 27.8% of all SUVs sold in the country in 2015, totaling 1.75 million units. That figure is over double from 2014, far above the average year-on-year growth rate for the overall SUV market.
Jianghuai Motor’s Refine S3 was the best-selling small-size SUV of 2015. It was followed by the Changan CS35, Great Wall Haval H2, Honda Vezel, Cherry Tiggo, Honda XR-V, Hyundai ix25, Buick Encore, Brilliance Zhonghua V3 and Great Wall Haval H1. Seven of the aforementioned ten models achieved sales of over 100,000 units over the course of 2015, compared to only two models from the previous year. Domestic own brand models accounted for six of the entries in the top ten, with all of the top three models being own brands.
With total annual sales of 196,779 units, the JAC Refine S3 was not only the best-selling small SUV of the year, it ranked in the top three of the SUV market. The Refine S3 has received glowing praise for its stylish design, comprehensive accessories and competitive price point, all of which have enabled the vehicle to achieve average monthly sales volumes of over 16,000 units.
The Changan CS35 ranked second in the segment with annual sales of 169,332 units, up 68.4% from the previous year. The CS35 accounted for 18.0% of Changan’s overall sales for the year. Much like the Refine S3, the CS35 has also relied on its superior design, functionality and pricing to win the admiration of Chinese consumers.
Two of Great Wall’s Haval models, the Haval H1 and Haval H2, also made the top ten sales chart in 2015. Annual sales of the Haval H2 and Haval H2 totaled 168,517 units and 74,571 units, respectively. By contrast sales of the Great Wall M4, which was a hot-selling vehicle in previous years, slipped again in 2015, falling 58.5% year-on-year to just 36,270 units sold.
Brilliance’s Zhonghua V3, which has been on the market for less than a year, finished in ninth with total annual sales of 75,293 units.
Japanese brand Honda performed very well in the segment, with sales of the Vezel and XR-V accumulating annual sales of 126,838 units and 118,749 units, respectively. These two models played very important roles for Honda in China, being the manufacturer’s best-selling domestically manufactured models.
Sales of the Hyundai ix25 in 2015 totaled 102,755 units, achieving a year-on-year growth rate in the double digits. Meanwhile the Buick Encore, whose sales totaled 82,013 units, down 0.4% year-on-year, was the only model in the top ten to suffer a negative year-on-year sales growth.
