Japanese OEMs achieve record-high sales in China in 2016

According to the 2016 sales results in China announced by Japanese automakers, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Mazda Motor Corporation achieved the record highs. Their sales were primarily driven by the effect of the small car tax break, which started in October 2015, and the popularity of SUV models throughout the year. Nissan continued to be the top-selling Japanese automaker in China. Honda, which enjoyed strong sales, overtook Toyota to take the second place, while Toyota fell to the third place.
On January 6, Nissan announced that it sold approximately 1,354,600 vehicles in China in 2016, which was a year-over-year (y/y) increase of 8.4%.The automaker broke annual record and kept the top spot among Japanese automakers thanks to strong sales of models like the Slyphy compact sedan and the X-Trail SUV throughout the year. Nissan’s December sales in China totaled approximately 162,500 units, a 2.1% increase y/y.
Toyota sold approximately 1,214,200 vehicles in 2016, which was an 8.2% rise y/y. Although it was overtaken by Honda and fell to the third place, the company achieved its yearly target of 1.15 million vehicles and broke its record. The automaker enjoyed favorable sales of models like the Corolla and Levin that are eligible for the small car tax break throughout the year. Toyota’s December sales totaled 113,800 vehicles, a 6.7% decrease y/y.
Honda sold 1,247,713 vehicles, up 24.0% y/y, and climbed to the second place by overtaking Toyota. By brand, Guangqi Honda sold 652,006 vehicles, up 8.3% y/y, and Dongfeng Honda sold 595,707 vehicles, up 47.4% y/y. Honda enjoyed strong sales of models including the City, Vezel, CR-V, XR-V, and Civic. In December, the OEM sold 132,891 vehicles, a 3.4% decline y/y.
Mazda sold a record 285,653 units, a 21.4% increase y/y thanks to strong sales of vehicles equipped with its Skyactiv technology. The OEM’s December-only sales in China totaled 35,593 units, a 42.0% increase y/y.
(Toyota (China) press release from January 6, 2017)
(Honda (China) press release from January 6, 2017)
(Mazda (China) press release from January 4, 2017)