Combined sales of 2.8m vehicles have far exceeded industry forecasts.
Sales of cars, SUVs and MPVs in China climbed 20% in the first two months of 2013 to 2.8 million units, according to data compiled by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
Total vehicle sales, which include buses and trucks, also increased by 15% to 3.4 million units in the same period. However, the increase is due in part to a statistical aberration caused by the weeklong Lunar New Year holiday.
Nonetheless, an increase in the first two months is a welcome change from last summer’s lacklustre sales. CAAM forecast total industry sales will hit 20 million units in 2013 on the back of urbanisation, particularly in second, third and fourth-tier cities, and rising incomes.
VW's Lavida Image: Volkswagen Group |
The Volkswagen Lavida was the best-selling Sedan for a second straight month, while China’s own Great Wall Motor Co secured the top spot for SUV sales with its signature Haval model.
VW-brand sales surged 31% in the first two months to 392,300 units, hot on the heels of China’s largest foreign automaker, General Motors, who reported a sales increase of 8% to nearly 526,000 units.
Despite entering the market later than other foreign marques, Ford reported a 46% rise in year-on-year sales to a little over 105,000 units in January and February.
Japanese brands continued to suffer as a result of an international sovereignty dispute. Toyota, Nissan and Honda all reported a steep decline in year-on-year sales.
In the luxury segment, Audi strengthened its position at the top of the table with a 16% increase in sales to almost 68,000 units. BMW sales grew 9% to nearly 54,000, while fellow German carmaker Mercedes-Benz saw sales drop 20% to 26,829 vehicles from the previous year.
China’s car accessory sales are also forecast to rise 17% in 2013 to 660 billion yuan ($106 billion) this year, driven by strong demand for car care and aftermarket products.