The new gen Land Cruiser helps Toyota sales surge in October.

Retail sales of new imported vehicles in China for once gain ground year-on-year this month at +4% to 59,431 units, reducing the year-to-date tally fall to -6.5% at 594,985 sales. Lexus (+20.7%) confirms it is now back in command of the imported brands charts with a 5,500-unit advantage over #2 Mercedes (-3.5%). BMW (-17.4%) and Porsche (-14.7%) disappoint while Audi (+54.8%) surges ahead to round out the Top 5. Toyota (+111.3%) and Land Rover (+20.9%) also vastly beat the market in the remainder of the Top 10 just as Volkswagen (-19.9%), Volvo (-4.9%) and Mini (-1.3%) all underperform.

The Lexus ES (+46.4%) is head and shoulders above the competition, selling over 3 times the amount of the #2, the Mercedes GLE (+52.7%) also in great shape. The Porsche Cayenne (+8.6%) exchanges spots with the Lexus RX (-17.5%) to close out the podium. The Toyota Alphard (+38.6%) and Land Rover Defender (+28.4%) post splendid lifts with the Lexus NX (+16.1%) and BMW 4 Series (+5.2%) also in positive. Outstanding results for the Audi Q7 (+114.1%), A5 (+100.5%) and Toyota Land Cruiser (+3050%).

Previous month: China imports September 2023: Lexus reclaims top spot in market edging down -3.1%

One year ago: China imports October 2022: Lexus, Porsche, Land Rover highlight stable market (-0.6%)

Full October 2023 Top 40 All brands and Top 150 All models below.