Race for Dominance: Japan vs South Korea in the Urban SUV Market

Urban SUVs haven’t completely been dominated by Japanese cars. Photo: Boi Ha.

A report from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) reveals that car sales in the Vietnamese market totaled 20,726 units in May, an 8% decrease compared to the previous month.

Out of these, passenger car sales in Vietnam reached 14,483 units, equivalent to an 8% decrease compared to the April report.

Toyota Corolla Cross maintains its lead

In May, the total sales of urban SUVs reached 2,479 units, a 22% decrease compared to the 3,178 units sold in the previous period. Only Mazda CX-3 experienced a slight increase in sales, while all other models sold fewer units compared to the first quarter.

In the May report, Toyota Vietnam announced the successful delivery of 1,014 Corolla Cross vehicles to customers in Vietnam. This marks a nearly 23% decrease in sales compared to the 1,310 units sold in April.

Despite the decrease in sales, the Corolla Cross’s monthly sales of over 1,000 units for 4 consecutive months help maintain its leading position in the segment. Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos achieved sales of 498 and 450 units respectively in the Vietnamese market in May.

Since the beginning of the year, the Japanese brand’s small SUV has achieved sales of 5,741 units, creating a gap of 1,959 and 3,230 units compared to its two immediate Korean competitors.

Although it is still too early to draw any conclusions, it can be tentatively assessed that the appeal of the Vietnamese market for the Toyota Corolla Cross has been relatively well-maintained. This is despite the fact that the listed price for this urban SUV model was adjusted by an additional 9-19 million VND earlier in the year.

In the rest of the segment, after 2 consecutive months of increasing sales, Honda HR-V is now experiencing its second decrease since the beginning of the year. The Honda B-segment SUV achieved sales of 298 units in May, with a total of 1,342 units sold in the Vietnamese market since the start of 2023.

The duo Mazda CX-3 and CX-30 continue to be the slowest-selling models in the urban SUV segment in the Vietnamese car market. In May, Mazda CX-3 achieved sales of 117 units, while Mazda CX-30 had modest sales of 102 units.

Notably, alongside many co-branded models, the Mazda pair of small-sized SUVs, including CX-3, had their prices adjusted to benefit Vietnamese customers in June.

The Mazda CX-30 has yet to achieve good sales in the Vietnamese car market. Photo: Hoang Pham.

Specifically, the maximum price reduction for Mazda CX-3 is 83 million VND for the 1.5 Premium version, while the versions of the Mazda CX-30 come with a price reduction of 50-60 million VND compared to the previous listed price.

As of the end of May, the accumulated sales of Mazda CX-3 in the Vietnamese car market totaled 729 units, while the “big brother” Mazda CX-30 had sales of 683 units in the same period.

Korean cars dominate the small-sized SUV segment

Since the introduction of the VF 5 Plus, Kia Sonet and Toyota Raize no longer dominate the A-segment SUV segment in Vietnam. However, the Kia Sonet continues to show impressive sales compared to its segment peers, while the Toyota Raize struggles with sales.

In May, Toyota Raize sales reached only 441 units, a 13.4% decrease compared to the April report. This brings the total sales of Toyota Raize in Vietnam since the beginning of the year to only 2,629 units, further widening the sales gap compared to its direct competitor, the Kia Sonet.

Similar to previous reports, Kia Sonet continues to be the best-selling model of the Kia brand in the Vietnamese car market in May. With sales of 866 units, Kia Sonet has grown its sales by 43.4% compared to the previous reporting period.

Since the beginning of the year, Kia Sonet has accumulated sales of 3,476 units, increasing the sales gap with Toyota Raize to 847 units as the May report closes in the Vietnamese car market.

Although still far from last year’s sales gap of 2,546 units, Toyota Raize could potentially lose to Kia Sonet once again if it fails to improve its regular sales in the remaining months of 2023.

In addition to the pressure from its old competitor Kia Sonet, Toyota Raize is also starting to feel the heat from the newcomer VinFast VF 5 Plus. In the second month since its introduction to the Vietnamese car market, the sales of VinFast small-sized electric SUV reached 332 units, more than 9 times the figure of 36 units delivered to customers in Vietnam in the first month of its debut.

VinFast VF 5 Plus recorded the highest growth in the Vietnamese car market in May. Photo: Boi Ha.

Notably, the sales growth of VinFast VF 5 Plus, which exceeded 822%, is the highest growth rate recorded in the Vietnamese car market in May.

Compared to Kia Sonet (listed price ranging from 519-579 million VND) or Toyota Raize (552-563 million VND), the listed price of VinFast VF 5 Plus is considered more accessible, with prices ranging from 458 million VND without the battery to 538 million VND with the battery pack.

You may also like

[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.

Honda Accord: 40 Years of Automotive Excellence

Looking at the Vietnamese car market right now and humorously comparing it, we will see Camry as a well-behaved young girl, not outstanding in every aspect but easily becoming the choice of the “other half”. Teana, on the other hand, is like a dignified and tranquil woman, full of courage. Meanwhile, Mazda6 is like a hot girl, quickly attracting and captivating anyone’s gaze from the first encounter. As for Accord – with the elegance and experiences of a U30 lady, even though she is always praised by everyone, she hides something “difficult to deal with” in the minds of the majority.

Mitsubishi Xpander maintains its reign, continuing to dominate the MPV segment in September.

According to a report from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), the sales of Mitsubishi Xpander reached 1,918 units in September 2023.

Impressive Design Sketches of the All-New Mazda CX-5 Generation

The CX-5 crossover SUV model is Mazda’s best-selling vehicle worldwide, and it is likely to soon receive a completely new version with notable changes in design.