Malaysia March 2011: Perodua Myvi leads, Honda Insight up to #14

Honda Insight

The Malaysian car market has another solid month in March at 61,313 registration. First Quarter 2011 figures are up 8% year-on-year at 153,643 units. The Perodua Myvi is #1 again this month at 14% share, followed by the Proton Saga at 13.1% and the Perodua Viva at a slightly weaker than usual 9.8%.

The Proton Persona is in good shape at #4 with 8.2%, same for the Mitsubishi Triton at #11 with 1.8%. The Proton Inspira slips down to 1.8% compared to 2.4% last month. Duty-free prices have made hybrid cars more affordable this year in Malaysia and the effect is immediate: the Honda Insight jumps 18 spots this month to #14 at 896 sales and 1.5%.

Link to full Top 50 Ranking Table below.

Italy March 2011: Fiat Punto and Panda up vs. February UPDATED

Fiat Punto

* Now updated with the Top 50 best selling models over Q1 2011. See ‘Read more’ below *

Italian car sales are down a worrying 28% year-on-year in March at 187,774 units. First Quarter figures are down 23% at 513,794 registrations.

Both the Fiat Punto at 7.5% (14.035 sales) and the Fiat Panda at 6.7% (12,640 sales) improve their market shares compared to last month and continue to dominate the Italian market. The Ford Fiesta jumps onto the podium for the 2nd time in 3 months at 8,082 units and 4.3%, followed by the VW Golf at 3.3% and the Lancia Ypsilon at 2.8%.

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta confirms its outstanding popularity once again and places 8th, its third month in a row in the Top 10. It sells 4,166 units for a 2.2% market share this month. Notice also the Audi A1 in the Top 30 at #29.

Full March and Q1 2011 Top 50 Ranking Tables below.

Australia March 2011: Commodore #1, Lexus CT200 & Chery land Now with the Top 65 best selling models

Lexus CT200h

* Now with the Top 65 best selling models in Q1 2011: click on ‘Read more’ at end of post *

At 93,984 registrations, Australian car sales are down just 1% year-on-year in March. The Holden Commodore stays #1 at 4,170 sales and 4.4%, but the 2011 leader is still the Mazda3 at 11,159 units and 4.5%, thanks to another strong month at 3,979 sales and 4.2% in March (#3).

The Toyota Hilux takes the 2nd place only 140 sales behind the Commodore. Just behind the Toyota Corolla, the Holden Cruze is up 1 spot at #5 with a strong 3% share, and the Mitsubishi Triton is up to a brilliant 8th position. The Lexus CT (223 sales) and the Toyota FJ Cruiser (209) both appear for the first time in the Australian ranking.

March 2011 will also be remembered as the month Chinese brand Chery started in the country, launching the first Chinese passenger cars in Australia. The Chery J11 SUV (aka Tiggo) delivers 166 sales and the J1 (aka Face) lands 53 buyers. In the meantime the Great Wall V240 ute continues to grow, #64 in Q1 at 989 sales.

A few new models perform well in Q1: the Ford Fiesta is #17, the Hyundai ix35 #28, the Nissan Dualis multiplies its share by two at 1% and #31, the Mistubishi ASX is #50 and the VW Polo #57. With the discontinuation of the the Falcon model last year, the Ford Mondeo is now the default Ford station wagon and is up to #39.

March Top 10 & 1st Quarter 2011 Top 65 Ranking Tables: see ‘Read more’ below the Chery J11 pic.

Chery J11

Europe March 2011: VW Golf leads, Ford Focus up to #6

Ford Focus

Car sales are down 5% in Europe this month, dragged down by the 8% drop of the UK market, a traditional powerhouse in March due to the registration change.

The VW Golf still leads but is down 10% at 53,055 units, followed by the Ford Fiesta, up 2 spots on February but down 27% year-on-year at 50,534 sales. The Fiesta is back to #2 year-to-date, ahead of the VW Polo, #3 in March too at 39,311 units and +4% year-on-year.

Boosted by the new generation, the Ford Focus gains 6 spots on last month and ranks 6th with 36,339 sales, its best position in Europe over the last 12 months. The Citroen C3 is #10 and in the Top 10 for the third time in the last 5 months.

Full Top 10 Ranking Table below.

Denmark March 2011: Chevrolet Spark and Suzuki Swift on top

The Danish car market continues on its good run, up 28% in March at 16,381 sales and 26% year-to-date at 40,341. The Chevrolet Spark is #1 for the third month in a row at 654 units at 4%, a distant leader year-to-date at 2,254 sales and 5.6% share.

The Suzuki Swift has a stellar start of the year, #2 this month at 2.7% and #3 year-to-date at 2.9%, up 24 spots on its 2010 ranking. The Toyota Aygo, #1 last year, is #3 in March at 2.6% ahead of a Ford Fiesta in good shape at #4 and 2.5%.

Notice the VW Passat at #5, the Mazda6 at #9 and the Peugeot 508 coming in directly at #39 for its very first month of sales with 159 units changing hands for a 1% market share.

Full Top 40 Ranking Table below.

Pakistan March 2011: Suzuki Alto up to #3

Official sales data from the Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association indicate that the Toyota Corolla is still by far the best-selling car in the country this month with 3,397 sales and 21.6% share. It is also leader year-to-date at 12,103 units and 27.7%.

The Suzuki Mehran (aka Maruti 800) stays 2nd at 2,654 sales and a strong 16.9% share, or 17.1% year-to-date, compared to 15.6% in 2010. Excellent performance of the Suzuki Alto, climbing onto the podium in March at 1,957 sales and 12.5%. It is #5 year-to-date at 8.3% share.

The Suzuki Bolan follows in 4th, and the Honda City has a great year so far with 3,006 sales and 6.9% year-to-date, one percentage point above its 2010 share.

Full Top 10 Ranking Table below.

Japan Kei cars March 2011: Suzuki Wagon R reclaims pole position

Suzuki WagonR

After two months under the leadership of the Daihatsu Move, the Suzuki Wagon R reclaims its title of best selling Kei car for the first time this year with 17,290 sales. It is however still #2 year-to-date at 42,764 units vs. 47,215 for the Move.

The next three models are unchanged from February: the Daihatsu Tanto is #3 at 13,528, followed by the Suzuki Alto (8,652) and the Honda Life (8,332). The Daihatsu Mira is up one spot at #6 and the Mitsubishi eK is up 3 spots at #8, whereas the new Suzuki MR Wagon drops 2 places at #12.

Full Top 20 Ranking Table below.

Algeria March 2011: Renault Symbol leads, Kia Picanto #2

Outstanding month for new car sales in Algeria: the market is up 40% year-on-year in March at 25,971 registrations, and 35% year-to-date at 74,781. The Renault Symbol keeps the lead with 2,469 sales and 9.5%, and this month it is followed by the Kia Picanto and Peugeot 207, both at 1,525 sales and 5.9%.

Hyundai stays strong with the Atos in 4th place at 5.2% share and the Accent in 5th at 4.7%. The Dacia Logan has a weak month in 9th place at 2.3%, it is however #3 year-to-date with 3,306 sales and 4.4%. The Peugeot 308 slips into the Top 10 at 510 units and 2% share.

Full Top 10 Ranking Table below.

Vietnam March 2011: Toyota Innova and Vios on top

Toyota Vios in Hanoi, Vietnam December 2010

New car sales in Vietnam are up 1% in March at 9,513 units, and up 30% year-to-date at 27,896. The Toyota Innova holds onto its throne with 590 sales and 6.2%, and is followed this month by the Toyota Vios, up 2 spots at 475 registrations and 5% share.

The Chevrolet Cruze jumps onto the podium in 3rd place at 460 sales and 4.8%, ahead of the Toyota Corolla and Fortuner, both at 4.6%. Notice the Mercedes E Class at #20.

Full Top 20 Ranking Table below.

Taiwan March 2011: Toyota Corolla back to #1, RAV4 #3

Toyota RAV4

New car sales in Taiwan are up an explosive 58% in the first Quarter of 2011 at 106,191 registrations, and in March alone, imports are up 70% at 9,411 units.

The Toyota Corolla reclaims the title of best-selling car in Taiwan with 3,862 sales and 10.9% share, ahead of the Nissan Tiida at 1,590 sales and 4.5%. The all-new Toyota RAV4 climbs onto the podium with 1,477 units and 4.2% whereas the Nissan Livina stays strong in 4th with 1,436 sales and 4%.

Other good performances include the Hyundai ix35, up 7 spots and #14 with 707 sales and 2% and the BMW 5 Series at #22 with 435 units and 1.2%.

Full Top 25 Ranking Table below.