|
|
The Mitsubishi Xpander dominates the small MPV segment. Photo: Vĩnh Phúc. |
After 5 months of the year, the gap in sales between the Mitsubishi Xpander and its direct competitor, the Toyota Veloz Cross, has widened to over 3,000 cars.
The sales race seems to be ending soon
According to the latest report from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), the sales volume of the Mitsubishi Xpander continued to surpass the 1,000-car mark in May. Specifically, the Japanese automaker said it delivered a total of 1,171 Xpander vehicles to Vietnamese customers in May, including 1,070 imported cars and 101 domestically assembled cars.
As of the end of May, the accumulated sales of the Mitsubishi Xpander in Vietnam were 6,699 vehicles, surpassing the sales record achieved by its rival, the Toyota Veloz Cross, in the same period.
Although it has been locally assembled since December 2022, the regular sales of the Toyota Veloz Cross have not been able to reach the 1,000-car threshold since the beginning of the New Year. In May, Toyota’s small MPV model sold only 590 units, contributing a relatively small part to the total sales of 3,640 vehicles since the beginning of the year.
| Sales figures show the Mitsubishi Xpander dominating the small MPV segment | |||||||||
| The accumulated sales of small MPVs in the first 5 months of the year (Data: VAMA, TC Group) | |||||||||
| Label | Mitsubishi Xpander | Toyota Veloz Cross | Hyundai Stargazer | Suzuki XL7 | Toyota Avanza Premio | Kia Carens | Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid | Suzuki Ertiga | |
| Cars | 6699 | 3640 | 1727 | 1239 | 1196 | 1185 | 211 | 1 |
So, the gap in accumulated sales between the Toyota Veloz Cross and the Mitsubishi Xpander in the first 5 months of the year has increased to 3,059 vehicles. Last year, the sales difference between these two names was 7,879 vehicles after 12 months.
It is likely that the Mitsubishi Xpander will continue to be the best-selling affordable MPV in the Vietnamese market by the end of 2023. The Toyota Veloz Cross has not shown strong enough competitive potential, while the Suzuki XL7 and Hyundai Stargazer can only maintain a moderate level of sales.
In May, both the Suzuki XL7 and Hyundai Stargazer saw a decrease in sales compared to the previous reporting period. The South Korean MPV recorded 273 units delivered to Vietnamese customers, while the Suzuki XL7 only achieved sales of 215 units.
The sales of the Kia Carens in May also decreased similarly to the general market situation. Despite being priced lower recently, the sales volume of the South Korean MPV reached only 205 units in May, a slight decrease of 3.8% compared to the previous reporting period.
Surprises in the lower group
While in the top group in terms of sales, only the Mitsubishi Xpander saw an 8% growth compared to the previous reporting period, in the lower group, the sales of the Toyota Avanza Premio and the 2 variants of the Suzuki Ertiga all recorded positive growth.
Among them, the Suzuki Ertiga is a surprise as it recorded one unit sold in the Central region in May. Since Suzuki Vietnam introduced the hybrid variant of the Suzuki Ertiga, the regular sales of this small MPV have dropped below the 4 units per month mark since August 2022 before reaching zero sales in the first 4 months of 2023.
 |
|
The Suzuki Ertiga unexpectedly recorded sales in May after several months of zero sales. Photo: Toàn Thiện. |
For its part, the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid also experienced a slight increase in sales, reaching 44 units in May. So far, the accumulated sales of this hybrid-powered small MPV reached 211 units, averaging more than 42 units per month.
Notably, the Toyota Avanza Premio recorded sales of 203 units in May, equivalent to a 50.4% growth compared to the previous reporting period. Thus, despite not having high sales volume, the Avanza Premio has become the model with the most impressive growth in the affordable MPV segment.
A challenging situation for newcomers
According to plans, the Honda BR-V will be the next name to join the affordable MPV segment in the Vietnamese market, expected around July.
Similar to the majority of representatives in the segment, the Honda BR-V will be imported from Indonesia with an expected price range of 600-700 million VND.
| |
|
The Honda BR-V will be the next name to join the affordable MPV segment in the Vietnamese market. Photo: Honda Vietnam. |
Although it will be a name that contributes to the vibrancy of the affordable MPV group, the opportunities for the Honda BR-V in this segment are considered relatively low due to the current dominance demonstrated by the Mitsubishi Xpander in the Vietnamese market.
Last year, the small MPV segment welcomed the presence of 2 newcomers, the Kia Carens and the Hyundai Stargazer. However, at present, only the Hyundai Stargazer is showing some potential for sales competition in the leading group.
If priced reasonably, the Honda BR-V will still have a place in the Vietnamese auto market to some extent. The opportunities for the small MPV model of the Japanese brand will still be wide open in the context of the A-segment car market gradually weakening, while Vietnamese customers’ tastes have gradually shifted towards the SUV group.
Great books to read on the car
The Cars section offers readers interesting books on various topics. During long journeys with cars, there are often moments of rest, relaxation, and books are the companion that makes the trip more enjoyable.
“Chaotic” Car Dash Cam: Unleash the Power of Safety Recording
“Wow, this is the phrase that many people exclaim after doing their research. Which is the best dash cam? Are cheap dash cams truly “cheap”? How much should one spend on a dash cam that is suitable? These are common questions when someone begins to explore and select this device.”
[CAR REVIEW] The Newly Launched BMW iX3 in Vietnam: Compact, Practical, and Expensive
As the second electric car introduced by BMW, the iX3 caters well to everyday urban usage needs. However, it will still take time to reach customers.
[CAR REVIEW] Toyota Veloz Cross: Safety, Durability, Reliability
Through real-life testing, the Toyota Veloz Cross has proven to be an excellent choice in the 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle segment, offering a range of advantages for family users. These include advanced safety technology, reliable performance, and spacious, convenient interiors.
Which 7-seater SUV to choose within the budget of 1 billion VND?
In recent times, the 7-seater SUV market in Vietnam has been booming. This segment has caught the attention of Vietnamese customers due to its practicality and high safety standards. Below are some examples of 7-seater SUVs within the price range of 1 billion VND that are “worth every penny.”
[CAR REVIEW] Wuling Mini EV: Affordable, Compact, Convenient, but…
Even though it is only sold in its home country, China, the Wuling Mini EV has quickly surpassed the Tesla Model 3 to become the world’s best-selling electric car thanks to its affordable price and compact size. Expected to be available from late June 2023, will this model be successful in Vietnam?
