Gasgoo compiled the sales data released by corresponding mainstream premium carmakers and the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). It seems that most automakers tabulated here won a favorable outset for 2019 as their China sales all presented positive growth in January. Mercedes-Benz was not only the sales champion but the only one got a sales volume exceeding 70,000 units.
A conspicuous phenomenon is that both Infiniti and Acura gained remarkable growth, while it hardly rescues their presences in China impeded by the absolutely small quantity.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz started 2019 with a sales volume reaching nearly 72,000 units, hitting a new record in its China's monthly sales.
In January, the sales of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, C-Class and GLC-Class amounted to 15,801 units, 15,013 units and 13,104 units respectively. However, the sales of the GLA-Class slumped 31.5% to 4,692 units.
In 2019, the automaker intends to fortify its SUV offensive in China. It plans to roll out 15 new models in this country, among which 10 models are SUVs.
Audi
Last year, Audi was crowned the champion in terms of single premium car brand’s sales in China. In January, it achieved a year-on-year growth of 5.1% with its sales climbing to 64,000 units, which is also the best record for Jan. sales.
The Jan. sales of the Audi A3 grew to 8,748 units and the sales of the Audi A4L jumped 21.3% over a year ago to 16,668 units.
Audi plans to launch 18 new models in China this year, including the all-new Audi A6L, the all-new Audi Q3, the Audi Q8 flagship SUV, the all-new Audi A3, and the new Audi A4L, etc., aiming to fulfill a sales target of 682,000 units in China.
BMW
Including sales of Mini, BMW saw its China sales in January rise 15.5% to 63,135 units thanks to the contribution of the all-new BMW X3 and 5 Series. In addition, the price cuts over the BMW 3 Series prior to the change-over also boosted the overall sales performance.
BMW said it plans to roll out 21 new models in China this year to further promote the brand's development in the world's largest auto market, including the BMW X7, the mid-cycle refresh of the BMW 7 Series, the all-new BMW 8 Series coupe, the all-new locally-produced BMW 3 Series and the China-made BMW X2, etc.
Cadillac
Among so-called second-tier premium models, Cadillac was the only one whose Jan. sales exceeded 20,000 units.
The hottest-selling model should be the Cadillac XT5, which had a sales volume of 7,329 units, accounting for nearly 30% of total sales. The respective sales of the XT4, the XTS and the ATS-L were 6,080 units, 7,185 units and 5,561 units.
According to the company’s roll-out planning, the Cadillac XT6 SUV is going to hit the market in July. Besides, there is an all-new sedan model to go on sales in China in the second half of the year.
Lexus
Lexus gained a year-on-year increase of 5.3%. The Lexus Hybrids, with 4,707 units delivered in January, made up over 30% of total Lexus’s sales.
Lexus enjoys a relatively wide coverage in vehicle segments, including the flagship models (the all-new LS and LC), the mid-/full-sized sedans (the all-new ES) and the compact SUV (the all-new UX). Last year, it sold a total of 160,468 vehicles in China with a year-on-year increase of 20.8%.
Volvo
Volvo enjoyed a stable growth of 3.6% with its China sales in January amounting to 11,957 units. Its sales mainstay XC60 has been boasting increasingly more sales thanks to its outstanding exterior design. The Volvo S90 and XC60 also boosted the sales performance after they were locally produced in China.
The automaker is going to launch the domestically-produced Volvo XC40 and send the V60 and the all-new S60 into China’s market in 2019, expecting them to further improve Volvo’s China sales.
Infiniti
Infiniti currently has only two China-made models available for sale, namely, the Q50L sedan and the QX50 SUV. In January, it sported a tremendous leap of 18912.5% compared with 8 units for the same period a year ago. Nevertheless, lack of product competency and talent loss are still two major issues that vex Infiniti nowadays.
