Benz wins January sales champion again, lagging behind BMW for only several hundred units in the Chinese market

In January, Benz wins global luxury vehicle sales champion again. In the Chinese market, Audi still ranks first, followed by BMW and Benz. It’s notable that the sales gap between BMW and Benz is narrowing to 770 units.

Data shows that Audi sells 54,400 units in China in January, increasing 6.2%. Its annual sales volume in China reaches 570,900 units in 2015, decreasing 1.4%. The recovery is mainly caused by Audi Q5, which sells 11,700 units in January and increases 33.4%. Q5 has an annual sales volume of 114,000 units in 2015, increasing 6.5%, and the monthly sales volume is 9,500 units.

BMW sells 43,400 units in China in January, increasing 8.4%, the largest growth in fourth months. In the meantime, Benz sells 42,700, increasing 52% and reaching a historical high. The gap between them narrows to 770 units.

In fact, the monthly gap between the two brands is narrowing since last year. In November last year, the gap was 2,154 units.

One Benz dealership said that, Benz’s expanding sales in China is closely related to the hot-sale SUV models. January witnesses GLA’s sales volume continuous increase and the scarcity of newly launched GLC.

Analysts believe the increasing sales volume in China will help Benz achieve its 2020 target ahead of schedule, but it also faces fierce market challenges.

Person in charge of BMW China once said that, one key element in winning the Chinese luxury vehicle market is to seize the compact luxury vehicle market. As a result, BMW will speed up occupying the Chinese compact market when releasing capacity in 2016.

Dr. Heiss, President and CEO of BMW Brilliance, once revealed that, BMW 2 series domestic models would be officially launched in 2016 Q1. BMW X1 new-generation models, regarded as Benz GLA’s strong rival, is expected to be launched in the middle of this year.

It was once predicted GLC, launched in the end of 2015, combined with the new E series, which will be launched in 2016, would be Benz’s continuous growth force.

News comes that GLC’s rival, BMW X3 will launch its new generation in the second half of 2016 and BMW 5 series, rival of new E series, is preparing its new generation. Currently, BMW 5 series and Audi A6L all have a monthly sale larger than 10,000 units, which will be the greatest challenge faced by Benz new E series.