2015: Analysis of Sedan’s Sales in China, Lavida the Top-Seller

According to Gasgoo Auto Institute, the sales of sedans fell 5.4% to 11,736,000 units in China 2015, compared with the number of 2014, while all other segments in the passenger vehicle market saw sales growth. Meanwhile, the market share of sedans in the passenger vehicle market also shrunk 9.2% to 58%. Boosted by the preferential car purchase policy and the pressure to fulfill sales target at the end of the year, the sales of sedans showed growth in last December with 1,286,144 units.

Germany brands saw growth in sales

Germany brandswere the only ones to see sales growth, even in a quite depressing sedan market. The sales of Germany sedans increased 0.3% to 3,352,618 units in 2015 while its market shares also increased 1.6% to 28.6%. Chinese domestic sedans, due to their weak competitive power, saw a plummeting 12.8% sales decrease to 2,353,318 units as well as a shrinking market share of 20.1%. Korean brands also saw a two-digit decrease of 10.0%.

Compact sedans saw growth in market share

Compact models still dominated the sedan market with an increased market share of 60.7%, even though its sales fell 2.5% to 7,116,327 units. The full-size sedans were the only segment that saw growth in 2015 with an increase of 2.0% while the sales of subcompact models saw a two-digit decrease.

Geely achieved a visible growth

The top 10 carmakers listed in the 2015 sales charts were SAIC VW, FAW VW, SAIC GM, Beijng Hyundai, Dongfeng Nissan, Changan Ford, DPCA, Geely, FAW Toyota and Dongfeng Yueda Kia. All the top 3 carmakers completed 1 million sales while only SAIC VW scored a 4.0% increase. Geely, which is the only domestic brand among all the top 10 brands, sold 482,785 units in 2015, an increase of 33.4 compared with 2014.

Lavida is the top-selling sedan

The top 10 best-selling models of 2015 were Lavida, Sylphy, Excelle, Sagitar, Santana, Jetta, Avante, Corolla, Cruze and Focus. Lavida was electedas the top-selling sedan in China’s sedan market with 379,069 sales, up 1.9%, while Corolla was the fastest-growing brand with a sales increase of 48.3% to 254,301 units. To be noted, no domestic sedan entered the Top 10 list.