Even though China's vehicle sales in October noticeably dropped 11.7% year on year (YoY), most major premium car brands still obtained positive increase. By compiling the sales data released by corresponding automakers, Gasgoo found out that who will be the champion by annual sales in China is getting more and more suspenseful.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz brand saw its sales in China rose 9.2% from the previous year to 50,231units. It still maintained the championship in terms of Jan-Oct sales. Especially, 73% of vehicles delivered through October were locally produced in China.
There were strong demands for four China-made models—the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, GLC-Class, C-Class and E-Class, whose respective YTD sales all reached around 100,000 units. The C-Class was crowned the sales champion among mid-sized premium sedan model on China's market with an YTD sales volume up to around 126,000 units.
The Germany car brand also attained substantial improvement in imported vehicle sales in China. In October, the sales of the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and GLE SUV both presented double-digit YoY growth in this country.
Beijing Benz (BBAC) saw its front-wheel drive (FWD) car plant completed on November 21 and a Mercedes-Benz A-Class L sedan, also BBAC's 2 millionth vehicle, officially roll off the production line on the same day.
Audi
In October, Audi took the sales championship again with a YoY growth of 5.4%. Although it was still outperformed by Mercedes-Benz in Jan-Oct sales, the sales gap between them has been narrowed to around 11,000 units, which makes the result of premium car sales champion of the year still remain suspended.
The Audi A4L, A6L and Q7 were still very popular among Chinese consumers. The Audi A4L was the sales driver last month with its sales jumping 24.8% to 14,196 units. The sales of the Audi A6L have not been affected by the presence of the all-new Audi A6L, which made its debut at the Auto Guangzhou 2018 that kicked off on November 16. In October, the A6L also had a double-digit YoY growth.
BMW
BMW gained an evident YoY growth of 12% with 56,439 vehicles (including Mini brand) sold in Mainland China last month, only 290 units less than that of Audi.
The top 3 models by Oct. sales were the BMW 3 Series, 5 Series and X1 whose sales reached 10,094 units, 9852 units and 8,181 units. The BWM 3 Series and the BMW X1 were the most popular BMW branded sedan and SUV model respectively for Chinese consumers.
The automaker showcased the all-new BMW X5, the BMW i8 roadster and the BMW 1 Series M Sport at the Auto Guangzhou 2018. The all-new X5 will go on sale on December 7. Presale price for the new model ranges between RMB820,000 and RMB920,000.
Cadillac
Cadillac, the sales champion among the so-called second-tier premium brands in China, sold 185,641 units for the first ten months with a YoY jump of 29.7%.
Aside from the Cadillac CT6, the other four locally-produced models all had a sales volume exceeding 4,000 units in October. The sales driver should be the XTS, whose Oct. sales surged 64.6% over a year ago to 6,567 units. After hitting the market at the end of 2017, the cumulative sales of the XTS have been over 54,000 units this year.
The Oct. sales of the XT5 and the ATS-L amounted to 5,987 units and 5,289 units respectively. Besides, the Oct. sales of the all-new XT4 SUV, which was launched to the market at the end of August, was nearly doubled over the previous month.
The all-new Cadillac CT6 made its premiere at the Auto Guangzhou. According to the previous planning, the automaker aims to release a new model or change-over per six months worldwide to keep up with China's fast development pace.
Lexus
Lexus reported a YoY sales growth of 18% with 14,686 vehicles delivered in China last month, among which the sales of the HEV models were 4,531 units, accounting for 31% of the brand's total sales.
Jan-Oct sales for Lexus reached 132,389 units, representing the third year in a row that will see annual sales surpassing 100,000 units.
As a premium car brand purely relying on import, Lexus makes a reasonable product layout in both sedan and SUV sectors in China. Its product competitiveness has been getting increasingly prominent after the changeover of the sales driver Lexus ES is completed.
Moreover, Lexus is the biggest beneficiary over the tariff slash policy acting on imported vehicles announced by China's government. Therefore, the automaker cut prices on several models as a response to the policy, which attracted more consumers in China.
Volvo
Volvo's sales in China jumped 15.2% over the year-ago period to 107,275 units from January to October, while its Oct. sales edged up 3.2% from a year earlier there.
According to the automaker's statement, the domestically-made XC60 was the hottest-selling model in China, followed by the S90.
The Volvo XC40 has been delivered on China's market as an imported model. A price cut will come after the XC40 is locally manufactured in this country so as to procure more consumers and compete with the Jaguar E-PACE and the Cadillac XT4.
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover suffered YoY downturn in both monthly sales and YTD sales for 3 straight months.
The company said the sales plunge was largely caused by the tariff change and the trade tension between China and the U.S., which depressed consumers' willingness and confidence in vehicle purchase.
Lincoln
Lincoln saw its deliveries in China rise 3% to 44,369 units for the first ten months, while shrink 6% to 4,753 units in October.
Last month, the sales of the hottest-selling MKC climbed 5.1% to 1,489 units. The other two hotter-selling models—the MKZ and the MKX witnessed their sales grow 29% and 8% over the previous year. The sales of the Navigator reached 309 units, skyrocketing 128.8% YoY.
Lincoln will annually launch a new domestically-produced model in China for three consecutive years staring from 2019, said Mao Jingbo, president of Lincoln Asia Pacific and China when she was interviewed by local media. She stated that Lincoln's first China-made model will be an all-new SUV model. In addition, the mass-produced Aviator, which is set to be unveiled at the 2018 LA Auto Show later this month, will be introduced by Changan Ford and hit the market at the end of 2019.
Infiniti
Dongfeng Infiniti got a significant YoY sales growth of 25.4% in October thanks to the impressive sales performance made by the all-new QX50, according to the sales data released by Dongfeng Motor Corporation.
In October, the sales of the all-new QX50 amounted to 1,872 units, soaring 203% over the QX50 sales in the same period a year ago.
At the Auto Guangzhou 2018, Infiniti showcased a product lineup consisting of such models as the all-new QX50, the Q Inspiration concept and the Q70L 2019, etc.
Acura
According to Honda China's sales report, Acura delivered a total of 6,946 vehicles during the first 10 months, which only accounted for 57.1% of the performance a year ago. The YTD sales of the key model CDX were more than halved over the year-ago period to 5,103 units.
The locally-produced all-new RDX has hit the market this month, which embodies Acura's expectation to win sales improvement.
