The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) announced the top-selling SUVs, sedans, MPVs, and new energy vehicle rankings in the National Auto Industry Report for January 2022.
In January 2022, the total vehicle production was 2.422 million vehicles, a month-on-month decrease of 16.7% and a year-on-year increase of 1.4%, with passenger vehicles accounting for 2.077 million units, down 17.8% month-on-month and up 8.7% year-on-year.
Furthermore, the total sales volume was 2.531 million vehicles, a month-on-month decrease of 9.2% and a year-on-year increase of 0.9%, with passenger vehicles accounting for 2.186 million units, down 9.7% month-on-month and up 6.7% year-on-year.
Top 1: Nissan Bluebird Sylphy
The Bluebird Sylphy is a mid-sized sedan. In 2009, Nissan Motor signed an agreement with Dongfeng Motor to build the Bluebird in China.
In 2021, a whopping 513,207 units were sold, a year-on-year decrease of 5.1%. In January 2022, 50,000 units were sold.
Top 2: SAIC-Volkswagen Lavida
Initially launched at Auto China 2008 in Beijing, the Lavida – a four-door compact sedan, has been the best-selling Chinese sedan for many years. The newest 2022 Volkswagen Lavida is equipped with a 1.4T petrol engine with a maximum power of 110kW and a maximum torque of 250N·m, matched with a 7DCT gearbox.
In 2021, a whopping 432,035 units were sold, a year-on-year decrease of 3.8%. 45,300 units were sold in January 2022 in China.
Top 3: Volkswagen Sagitar
FAW-Volkswagen started producing the Sagitar in 2006, with production now based in Changchun and Chengdu in China. The Sagitar is based on the Modular Transversal Toolkit (MQB) platform. It is available either with a 114 horsepower 1.2-liter or a 148 horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged stratified injected gasoline engine.
In 2021, 234,219 units were sold, a year-on-year decrease of 24.9%. 27,700 units were sold in January 2022 in China.
Top 4: Wuling Hongguang Mini EV
The Hongguang Mini EV is a 4-seater battery-electric mini-vehicle manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling since 2020. In 2021, 395,451 Hongguang MINI EV were sold in China, up 250.7% from 2020. Its January 2022 total sales volume was 26,700 units.
The vehicle comes in two battery/range options: 120 km range with 9.3 kWh battery and 170 km range with 13.9 kWh battery. It has a top speed of 100 km/h or 62 mph.
Top 5: BYD Qin Plus
The BYD Qin Plus was first unveiled at the 2020 Guangzhou Auto Show on November 20, 2020. It is equipped with a Snap Cloud-plug-in hybrid 1.5L high-efficiency engine with a maximum power of 81 kWh, peak torque of 135 N·m, a top compression ratio of 15.5:1, and maximum thermal efficiency of 43%.
25,500 units were sold in January 2022.
Top 6: GAC-Toyota Camry
In 2021, a facelifted Toyota Camry was introduced for the Chinese market. Its price starts from 179,800 to 269,800 RMB or 28,000 to 42,700 USD. It comes with 2.0L, 2.5L, and 2.5L hybrid engines. The 2.0L version has a maximum power of 175 horsepower and a peak torque of 210 Nm with average fuel consumption of 5.7 L/100km. The 2.5L version has a maximum power of 206 horsepower and a peak torque of 250 Nm with average fuel consumption of 6.0 L/100 km.
In 2021, 217,724 units were sold, a year-on-year increase of 17.5%. 25,000 units were sold in January 2022.
Top 7: Brilliance-BMW 3 Series
The first long-wheelbase version of the new BMW 3 Series sedan (3 Li) designed for the Chinese market was unveiled in 2012, targeting the young and progressive Chinese customer segment.
24,400 units were sold in January 2022.
Top 8: Honda Accord
The Honda Accord first debuted in the Chinese market in 1999. It is one of the cheapest Japanese D-segment sedans in China, with prices starting from 169,800 RMB or 26,000 USD.
22,900 units were sold in January 2022.
Top 9: Brilliance-BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series was first manufactured in 1972 as an executive car. The current long-wheelbase version of the BMW 5 Series sedan (5 Li) designed for the Chinese market first premiered at Auto China 2020 in Beijing, but the 5 Li has been around since 2008.
In addition to the longer wheelbase, the Chinese market version comes with high-quality equipment options, including the panoramic sky lounge glass roof and the Fond-Entertainment Professional with two tilt-adjustable touch screens. The new BMW 5 Series for China also has a more distinctive exterior design and is equipped with advanced driver assist systems, operation, and networking.
22,600 units were sold in January 2022.
Top 10: Volkswagen Bora
The Volkswagen Bora originally started as the fourth generation Volkswagen Jetta in North America. Over the years, it went through several facelifts. The Volkswagen Bora sold in China is a compact sedan manufactured and marketed by FAW-Volkswagen since 2001.
The Bora is based on the Modular Transversal Toolkit (MQB) platform. It is available either with a 111 horsepower 1.5L naturally aspirated engine or a 148 horsepower 1.4L turbocharged powerplant. There is now also an electric version called the e-Bora.
In 2021, 250,762 units were sold, a year-on-year decrease of 27.2%. 22,000 units were sold in January 2022.
About CAAM
CAAM is a non-profit organization founded in Beijing in May 1987 formed based on the principle of equality and voluntariness, consisting of enterprises and institutions as well as organizations engaged in production and management of automobiles, auto parts, and vehicle-related industries founded within the boundaries of the People’s Republic of China. It aims to promote the rapid development of the automotive industry in China through policy research, information service, self-discipline in trade, international communication, and exhibition service. CAAM is a permanent and vice president member of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
Source: autohome, OfWeek, CAAM, Brilliance-BMW, GAC-Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, Wuling, BYD, Nissan
Posting monthly Chinese sales figures for various categories would be of great help to those of us who
follow Chinese sales in a non-professional capacity. Thanks for this article.
How is Wuling Hongguang Mini EV considered as a SEDANS?
Amazing!
BYD Qin Plus sales have more than doubled, year on year, from 12,107 in 2021. (source CPCA).
Really? Ford, now bent on electrifying, should have given more thought to dropping its sedans.