Summary: Changes in the Chinese passenger automobile market in April

According to statistics compiled by Gasgoo.com (Chinese), the best performing manufacturer in the Chinese passenger automobile market in April was FAW Volkswagen, followed by Shanghai VW, Shanghai GM, Dongfeng Nissan, Beijing Hyundai, Changan Ford, SAIC-GM-Wuling, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën, Changan Automobile and Dongfeng Yueda Kia.

Great Wall Motors was once again nowhere to be found in the top ten, with its total monthly sales of 59,300 units a full 12.9 percent less than the amount it sold a year ago. Ever since it essentially gave up on investing in the sedan market, its sales volume has been lacking. The delayed launched of the Haval H8 and the lack of any new products has made it even harder for the manufacturer to achieve positive growth.

The only own brand manufacturer to make the top ten was Changan Automobile. With the help of new product releases Changan has managed to attain year-on-year sales growth of 41.6 percent from 37,400 units in April 2013 to 52,900 units in April 2014. Whether or not Changan is able to maintain this level of growth remains to be seen.

Although its technically a joint venture enterprise, the bulk of SAIC-GM-Wuling's sales come from its own brand Wuling products and JV-developed Baojun products. April sales increased nearly 60 percent from 41,500 units to 66,200 units from last year to this year. Its sales growth is the highest of the listed top ten manufacturers. Sales of the Wuling Hongguang and Hongguang S were both very respectable.

April marked the second consecutive month that FAW-VW has led the monthly sales charts. The JV sold a total of 159,100 vehicles this April, up 28.8 percent from last year. Shanghai VW and Shanghai GM ranked second and third with respective sales of 148,300 units and 129,000 units.

Dongfeng Nissan ranked fourth this April, marking the first time this year that it had overtaken rival Beijing Hyundai. The JV's sales for the month totaled 91,800 units, up 23.9 percent from last April. By comparison, Beijing Hyundai's sales growth was only 7 percent, with sales totaling 91,100 units.

Changan Ford, Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën and Dongfeng Yueda Kia's attained sales growth rates of 29.1 percent, 32.6 percent and 11.8 percent, respectively.