New vehicle sales are tracking a few per cent below last year’s record after one quarter of 2017, but there are many success stories to be found.
Here we look at the six vehicles that grew the most in volume relative to Q1, 2016. The caveat is that we won’t count new nameplates — the model (in current or previous generation) must have been available over both periods.
Kia Cerato
Thanks to regular drive-away deals, an industry-leading seven-year warranty and good old-fashioned brand awareness, the Kia Cerato has grown from 2407 units over Q1 last year to 4654 this year — up 2247 units or 93 per cent.
Its sales have actually eclipsed the Volkswagen Golf, though the German is about to be updated.
Honda Civic
Despite the new-generation hatch not even being on sale yet, the Civic sedan has driven sales up by 2005 units, or 413 per cent. That’s clearly a sign from the market…
With the new hatch version about to arrive, priced much competitively than its UK-made forebear, expect Honda to be right back among the segment leaders.
Mazda CX-9
Evidently the new-generation of the CX-9 seven-seat crossover is catching on with buyers. It’s a huge step up in terms of fuel economy, technology, performance and fit/finish, and is now matching it with the mighty Toyota Kluger.
Its volumes over Q1 are up 1815 units — 364 per cent — to 2314, making it a massive contender, which it never was before.
Subaru Impreza
Another small car that has shown huge growth this year — despite the overall contraction is passenger vehicle sales — is the newly launched Subaru Impreza.
Greater value and dynamics, and improved running costs, have catapulted the Impreza’s sales up 110 per cent over Q1 to 3027 units, or a gross increase of 1587 units.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The new iteration of the German medium SUV is a way better package than the dated old model — in terms of space and practicality, performance and value.
It’s managed 2655 units, giving it 7 per cent market share, which is 1504 units higher than the old model managed over Q1, 2016.
Ford Ranger
The Ranger remains the bedrock of Ford’s range. Its 4×4 sales continue to outpace the Toyota HiLux, and overall it is the market’s fourth most purchased vehicle.
Its 9398 sales this year so far are 1365 units higher than Q1, 2016, or about 20 per cent. Better yet for the Blue Oval is the large percentage of high-margin XLT and Wildtrak versions it’s selling.
Honourable mention: the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has achieved 2158 sales this year, up 1001 units or 86.5 per cent. That’s down to the sheer value compared to rivals.
For context, this compares to rivals the Isuzu MU-X (1537), Ford Everest (888), Holden Trailblazer (755) and Toyota Fortuner (472).
Any sales figures not mentioned here that you want to know? Ask away, in the comments.
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