Liechtenstein Q1 2013: VW, Audi and Toyota improve

465 new vehicles found a buyer over the first Quarter of 2013, and as in 2012 Volkswagen and Audi are the two most popular brands, both even improving their market share year-on-year. VW sells 87 units for an outstanding 18.7% share vs. 17.3% in 2012 and Audi is at 54 sales and 11.6% vs. 9.9%. But the most impressive progression is without a doubt delivered by Toyota, going from 5.6% share in 2012 to 9% and 42 units over the period.

Other great performers include BMW (8.6%) and Mercedes (7.1%) both improving their shares even though their drop one spot, Suzuki going from 2.1% in 2012 to 4.1% and #8 now, Mitsubishi exactly doubling its share from 1.7% and #20 to 3.4% and #10 and Honda going from 1.3% to 2.2% at #12.

Libya: ZX Auto GrandTiger replaces Toyota Hilux as rebels’ choice

In 2011 the Arab Spring took Tunisia, Egypt and Libya by storm. But aside from overthrown governments, what really interests us car enthusiasts is to know how well Chinese manufacturers are doing in these countries. If you are a regular reader of BSCB you will know that Chery has been selling Speranza-branded, locally produced cars by the bucket in Egypt. The Libyan Civil War is giving us another piece of the puzzle in what could well be a significant event in the history of Chinese car manufacturing.

Lebanon February 2013: Kia Picanto and Cerato dominate

After Jordan, let’s explore another very rare country on TheBestSellingCarsBlog (as far as detailed data is concerned): Lebanon. 3,808 new cars were sold in the country in February, adding up to 7,226 year-to-date. And here too the Koreans have a tight grip on the sales charts. Leader in February with 350 sales and 9.2% share, the Kia Picanto also snaps the pole position year-to-date at 628 units and 8.7%. The Nissan Sunny is up 3 spots to #2 at 7.9% but is only #4 year-to-date, while the Kia Rio is up one to #3 both this month and year-to-date.

Latvia April 2013: Peugeot Bipper lands top spot

New car sales in Latvia are down 9% year-on-year to just under 1,000 registrations (993 to be precise), which brings the year-to-date total to 3,778 units, down 7% on 2012. Big surprise atop the Latvian models ranking this month: the Peugeot Bipper is up 6 spots on March to snap the pole position thanks to 55 sales and 5.5% share, it is now #8 year-to-date at 2.3%. Even though it is down to #5 this month, the Peugeot 3008 however keeps the lead year-to-date at 159 units and 4.2% share.

Two additional models also excel within the Top 10 this month: the Toyota RAV4 boosted by the new generation is also up 6 ranks to #2 at 42 units and the Dacia Duster is up 47 spots to land at a best-ever #4 with 35 sales. Further down, notice the Hyundai i40 remaining extremely solid at #8 with 26 units, the Kia Cee’d up 21 ranks to #11, the Lexus RX up 10 to a world-best #14, the Honda Civic up 18 to #19, Subaru Forester up 25 to #28 and the Dacia Dokker landing directly at #30.

Laos 2012 Update: Chinese models keep spreading

Thanks to Howee I can share with you more recent pictures of the streets of Laos. While the Toyota Hilux should still be leading the models ranking in the country with the Isuzu D-Max, Kia Cerato Forte, Hyundai Elantra and Kia Picanto also successful, the more interesting development in Laos is the steady spreading of Chinese models in the streets of the country.

Kyrgyzstan: Toyota Camry should lead sales

The Kyrgyz market is very similar to neighbour Kazahkstan, and should place the Toyota Camry on top on the sales ranking, ahead of the Toyota Prado and Land Cruiser. Old Ladas are still dominant in rural areas but should not appear in new car sales.

A few UzDaewoo Nexia (as police cars) can also be seen, as well as some new gen Toyota Corolla.

Kuwait February 2013: Toyota Prado at 16%, Nissan Patrol #2

The new car market in Kuwait is up a further 16% year-on-year in February to 12,602 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 25,167 units after two months, up 18% on 2012. Quite a lot of movement atop the models ranking this month in Kuwait. The Toyota Prado keeps its pole position by very far and manages to almost double its market share compared to January to reach a huge 15.8% thanks to 2,000 sales (which sounds like an estimate to me). The Nissan Patrol amazes its world by gaining 10 spots on last month to land in 2nd place at 609 units and 4.8%, ahead of the Toyota Hilux, Nissan D22 and Sunny. The other great performers this month are all American: the Chrysler 300C is up 26 ranks to #6, the Chevrolet Silverado up 21 to #15 and the Ford Edge up 60 to #22.

Kenya December 2012: Toyota Land Cruiser most popular

Thanks to the hard work of Rutger I am able to share with you some very rare data about the Kenyan new vehicle market, up a shy 1% year-on-year in 2012 to 12,798 units. This is the “the slowest growth since 2009 when reduced economic activity due to the post-election and global economic meltdown cut orders by 20%”, says local website Business Daily Africa. General Motors East Africa, mainly distributing Isuzu light and heavy commercial vehicles, maintains its lead over the Kenyan market with sales up a robust 9% to 3,421 units for a 26.7% market share. “We had a lot of orders for our Isuzu buses last year. We could not supply all the units in 2012 and the strong order book is keeping us busy in this first quarter,” says Rita Kavashe, GMEA’s managing director.

The saloon car market has come under serious attack from imported second hand vehicles over the past 5 years, increasing the pressure on Toyota, up just 3% at #2 with 3,099 sales and 24.2%, and CMC Motors, which deals in Land Rover, Volkswagen and Ford models, down to #5. Model-wise, in December the Toyota Land Cruiser takes the lead with 108 sales and almost 10% share, followed by the Mitsubishi Diesel 9-tonne truck and the Toyota Hilux Double Cab.

Kazakhstan Full Year 2012: Lada Priora and Samara on top

The Kazakh new car market is on fire in 2012: up an out-of-this-world 114% on 2011 to a record 95,313 registrations! Its previous best was 60,513 before the financial crisis in 2007, but experts see the market grow by a further 40% in 2013 with a long-term objective of 280,000 annual sales… Lada dominates the charts with 40.6% of the passenger car market vs. 35.4% in 2011 and 2013 should be even better for the Russian carmaker: its share was up to 44% over the last Quarter of 2012. The Lada Priora is king thanks to sales up 3-fold vs. 2011 to 11,994 and 12.6%.

Jordan February 2013: Hyundai Elantra in the lead so far

Jordanian data is very rare so let’s enjoy it this month! 5,113 new vehicles found a buyer in the country in February, bringing the year-to-date total to 9,390 units. As we found last time we had access to Jordanian data, the models ranking is totally dominated by Korean cars, with 9 in the Top 10 and 17 in the Top 20. The Hyundai Elantra is in the lead both in February with 793 sales and 15.5% share and year-to-date at 1,217 units and 13%. The Hyundai Accent takes the 2nd spot in February at 11% share but is #3 year-to-date at 10.1%, below the Kia Frontier at 10.9%. The Hyundai Tucson is up 9 ranks to #4 with 342 sales and 6.7%, ahead of the Kia Cerato at 5.7% and the Hyundai Santa Fe at 5.1%.

Japan Kei cars April 2013: Daihatsu Move makes a move

Sales of new Kei cars are up 1% year-on-year in Japan to 152,000 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 738,153 units, down 1% on 2012. And this month we get the third different #1 model in as many months, with the Daihatsu Move stepping up to pole position for the first time in over 2 years (since February 2011 exactly) thanks to 18,601 sales, up 54% year-on-year. It still however ranks #2 year-to-date at 79,394 units vs. 85,983 for the Honda N-Box, #2 again this month with 16,382 sales, down 3%.

Jamaica 2012: Toyota keeps stranglehold on the market

Thanks to Myk I am able to give you an update on the Jamaican new car market in 2012. The significant event at the start of the year is the arrival in 2nd place behind Toyota of ATL, the Jamaican distributor of Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volkswagen and Honda. Honda is still ATL’s biggest brand with 113 sales over the first 2 months of 2012 but VW is catching up fast with 81 units sold, thanks notably to the Amarok which has received a warm welcome in Jamaica, capturing over 25% of the midsize pick-up truck segment.

Italy April 2013: Citroen C3 Picasso & VW Up! at highest ever

New car sales in Italy endure their 16th consecutive month of year-on-year decline in April, down 11% to 117,625 registrations which brings the year-to-date total to 474,308 units, down 12% on 2012. The top of the models ranking is back to its traditional self this month, with the Top 4 most popular models being identical to the 2013 year-to-date and Full year 2012 rankings: the Fiat Panda (8% share) is followed by the Fiat Punto (5.5%), Lancia Ypsilon (4.5%) and Fiat 500 (3.9%). The Renault Clio is back up 4 spots on March to a shiny 5th place and is now #6 so far in 2013 vs. #12 in 2012.

Israel April 2013: Hyundai i35 edges past Ford Focus

New car sales in Israel are up a very healthy 20% year-on-year in April to 17,274 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total back into positive at 74,525 units, up 1% on 2012. This month the Hyundai i35 (aka Elantra) edges past the Ford Focus to become the most popular model in the country thanks to 953 sales and 5.5% vs. 937 and 5.4% for the Focus which holds onto its 2013 year-to-date pole position at 4,512 units and 6.1%. The Hyundai i30 is also in great shape, up 3 spots on March to land on the third step of the podium with 808 sales and 4.7%.

Ireland April 2013: BMW 5 Series and Dacia Duster impress

First figures for the full month of April are starting to trickle down and for once we start with Ireland. The Irish new car market is down 9% year-on-year to 6,121 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 45,581 units, down 13% on 2012. The VW Golf maintains itself at very high levels thanks to the 7th generation, #1 for the 2nd consecutive month at 358 sales and 5.8% and reinforcing its pole position year-to-date with 2,361 units and 5.2%. The Ford Focus is back up 6 spots on last month to #2 with 229 sales and 3.7% (it is #3 year-to-date) while the Nissan Qashqai rounds up the podium at 205 units and 3.3% but still ranks #2 year-to-date with 2,146 sales and 4.7%.

Iraq 2012: Toyota Hilux and Kia Cerato dominate

Thanks to Jerome who recently visited Erbil in Iraq and was kind enough to share his picture to be published on BestSellingCarsBlog, I can share with you more detail about the Iraqi new car market for 2012. Granted, Erbil is quite a specific region in the country that has enjoyed significant growth recently, with most of the car park being under 7 years old, and it may not reflect the reality of Iraq as a whole but it is as good a starting point into a more detailed view of the Iraqi car market as anything.

Iran April 2013: Chery MVM315 up to 4th place

As is the tradition for Iran only production data is available, however this is a good indication of car sales in the country as high import duties limit sales of imported vehicles. April 2013 roughly corresponds to Farvardin, the first month of the year 1392 in the Persian calendar. Traditionally the weakest month of the year, this year Farvardin production data tests new lows: down a horrendous 60% year-on-year to just 22,513 units, only a few units more than the sales of the Saipa Pride one year ago…now down 53% to just under 10,000 units at 9,998 – the first time the Pride falls below 10,000 monthly units produced since the creation of BestSellingCarsBlog.

Being a very weak month, the models ranking is a lot more volatile: we have the Renault Tondar 90 (aka Dacia Logan) up to a brilliant 2nd place thanks to 2,204 units produced (-57%) followed by the Peugeot 405 at 1,653 (-77%). Exceptional performance of the Chery MVM315 (aka Fulwin 2/Bonus) up to #4 with 1,627 units, while the Chery MVM350 (aka A5) is up to #5 at 1,095 units (+61%). The Saipa Tiba is up 96% year-on-year to #7 and we welcome a new model in the ranking, the Saipa X100 which is a combination of the Saipa 111, 131, 132 and 141 at #11 with 430 sales.

Indonesia April 2013: Suzuki Ertiga #2, Toyota Etios in Top 10

Another month above 100,000 registrations in Indonesia in April at 102,199 units, up a huge 33% year-on-year and bringing the year-to-date total to 398,121, up 22% on 2012. This is the 7th time in the last 11 months the Indonesian market breaks the 100,000 monthly unit-barrier whereas it had never happened before June 2012… No surprise in pole position: the Toyota Avanza still reigns supreme with 19,798 sales and 19.4% share, its highest in the last 12 months! Year-to-date, an astounding 68,362 Avanzas found a buyer in the country after just 4 months…

India April 2013: Maruti DZire threatens Alto for pole position!

Would the Indian new car market have plateaued already? In April it is down for the 5th consecutive month at -8% year-on-year to 199,496 registrations. This brings the year-to-date total to 887,839 units, down 11% on 2012. One year ago the Maruti Swift became only the 4th model since 1950 to snap the monthly pole position. This time it’s the sedan version, the Maruti DZire, that narrowly misses that feat. It sells a magnificent 19,446 units in April for a record 9.7% market share, only 401 units below the Maruti Alto, down below 20,000 monthly sales for the first time since last August. It’s interesting to notice that this the DZire’s 2nd highest volume behind last month’s 19,446 and it’s only the 4th time ever it manages to beat the Swift after last August, September and March…

Iceland mid-May 2013: Toyota RAV4 on podium

With Spring, new car sales flourish again in Iceland: over the first 17 days of May, no less than 739 new vehicles found a buyer in the country which is more than during the entire month of April (634)! No surprise in pole position: the Skoda Octavia reigns supreme with 83 sales and almost 10% market share, reinforcing its year-to-date leadership at 247 units and 9.5%. The Toyota Yaris is also back to its YTD position at #2 with 58 sales and 7.8%, adding up to 154 units and 5.3% in 2013 so far. Another excellent result for the new generation Toyota RAV4, hopping onto the podium at #3 with 48 sales and 6.5% and now #4 year-to-date vs. #24 in 2012.

The Toyota Land Cruiser 150 is up a whopping 30 spots compared to April to #4 at 45 units and 6.1%, the Kia Sportage is up 11 to #5, Toyota Auris up 19 to #6, Kia Rio up 6 to #7 and the Skoda Superb is up a massive 45 ranks to #8 with 23 sales and 3.1%. Other great performers over the period include the Hyundai i10 up 35 spots to #11, Ford Transit Connect up to #17, Toyota Aygo up 57 to #18 and the Nissan Note up 78 to #19.