The Ultimate Guide to Used Car Sales: Why the Hyundai Accent is a Classic Favorite While the Honda City Lags Behind

According to the latest report from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA), the total consumption of all types of automobiles in the Vietnamese market in May was 25,764 units, a 6% increase compared to the previous period. Among these, the passenger car group recorded 18,235 units sold, equivalent to the average growth rate of the entire market.

Hyundai Accent Regains the Top Spot

The B-segment sedan segment continues to see shuffles in the top-selling models as the Hyundai Accent has regained its position as the best-selling car in May. Previously, the Toyota Vios had surpassed its Korean rival and become the top-selling model in the segment with 923 units sold in April. However, it has now conceded this title as its sales dropped to 766 units in May.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Accent recorded sales of 924 units in April, a 9% increase compared to the previous period. This sales figure of over 900 units for the Hyundai Accent occurred during the transition period between the old and new generations, with a series of incentives offered by both the automaker and dealers with the aim of clearing out inventory. At that time, the Hyundai Accent models were offered with a maximum discount of 100% on registration fees, equivalent to a promotional value of up to 54 million VND.

In contrast, the Honda City is struggling in the Vietnamese automobile market as its sales have declined for the second consecutive month. With 303 units sold in the last month, the sales of this B-segment sedan model decreased by 25% compared to April and was 740 units lower than the peak sales recorded in March.

This setback for the Honda City pushed the Mazda2 back to the third position in the list of best-selling B-segment sedans in the Vietnamese market. In February, the Mazda2 had surpassed the Toyota Vios in sales to become one of the top three best-selling B-segment sedans in the Vietnamese automobile market, following the Hyundai Accent and the Honda City.

Overall, most representatives in the B-segment sedan category recorded positive sales growth compared to the previous month’s report, with the exception of the Honda City and Toyota Vios, which were the rare models to experience a decrease in sales volume in the last month. Nevertheless, the stagnation of the Toyota Vios and Honda City also caused a 3.3% decline in the total sales of the entire segment, with a total consumption of 2,743 units in May.

What’s the Outcome of the Two-Horse Race?

In May, the Mitsubishi Attrage, Kia Soluto, and Suzuki Ciaz all recorded growth in sales volume, with sales figures of 213 units, 25 units, and 3 units in the Vietnamese market, respectively. However, when placed in the B-segment sedan category, these models are not direct competitors to the Hyundai Accent, Toyota Vios, and to some extent, the Honda City and Mazda2.

As of the end of May, the Hyundai Accent is temporarily leading the segment with 4,020 units sold. The Toyota Vios follows closely with 3,446 units sold, making it the second best-selling B-segment sedan in the Vietnamese market.

The Hyundai Accent is ready to compete with the Toyota Vios with its new generation model. Photo: TC Motor.

Meanwhile, after a series of lackluster sales reports, the Honda City has fallen further behind the Toyota Vios in cumulative sales, with a gap of 573 units. Specifically, the Honda City’s sales figure for the first five months of the year is 2,873 units, while the Mazda2 entered the last month of the second quarter with a total of 2,011 units sold to Vietnamese customers.

Overall, the sales race in the B-segment sedan category is now almost exclusively a two-horse race between the Toyota Vios and the Hyundai Accent. The gap of 573 units with the Toyota Vios and 1,147 units with the Hyundai Accent makes it nearly impossible for the Honda City to reclaim the top spot.

In the remaining months of 2024, the Hyundai Accent will compete with the Toyota Vios with its newly introduced generation. The price range of 439-569 million VND for the Hyundai Accent 2024, along with its upgraded features, is expected to give the Korean brand a slight edge over the Toyota Vios.

On the other hand, the Toyota Vios, after receiving a mid-life upgrade in May 2023, also had its prices adjusted in the Vietnamese market at the beginning of this year. Currently, the three versions of the Toyota Vios are priced from 458 million to 545 million VND.

The Toyota Vios still has a chance to compete for the top spot in the B-segment sedan category. Photo: Minh Quân.

In the B-segment sedan category, the Suzuki Ciaz is the only model with an uncertain future. Not only does it belong to the group with the lowest sales volume in the Vietnamese market (8 units sold since the beginning of the year), but the Suzuki Ciaz, along with the Suzuki Swift, is also one of the models currently produced at Suzuki’s factory in Thailand.

The latest information shared by Bangkok Post indicates that Suzuki plans to shut down its production facility in Thailand by the end of 2025 to focus its resources on electric and hybrid vehicles at a different location. This move by the Japanese automaker makes the future of the Suzuki Ciaz and Suzuki Swift in the Vietnamese market uncertain.

You may also like

[CAR REVIEW] Honda City 2023: Easily Satisfying Consumers

Honda City is a familiar name when it comes to the top-selling B-segment sedans in the market. This car is packed with strong features ranging from its design, performance to its equipment, aiming to persuade and satisfy its customers.

Global NCAP: Safety Levels Vary for Cars in Different Markets

According to the reputable Global NCAP, there is certainly a safety gap between car models designed for different markets.

[QUICK REVIEW] Toyota Yaris Cross is coming to Vietnam: Putting pressure on Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta

Positioned right below its “big brother” the Corolla Cross, the Toyota Yaris Cross boasts a fresh design and a range of modern features that are sure to shake up the crowded B-segment SUV market. Competing against formidable contenders such as the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Honda HR-V, and Mazda CX-30, the Yaris Cross stands out with its sleek design and advanced technology. Get ready to turn heads on the road with this impressive crossover.

[CAR REVIEW] Toyota Yaris 2019 after 3 years of use: Similar to Vios but “it’s quite different”

In essence, the Yaris is a hatchback version of the Toyota Vios with many similarities. However, it caters to a completely different group of users, with its own advantages, disadvantages, and value.