For the second consecutive month, the Chinese car MG ZS has repeated as leader of the Spanish market in September, a month in which the total number of registrations grew by a slight 2.3% to 68,083 units. In the first nine months it accumulates year-on-year growth of 18.5%, up to 711,380 units.
The MG ZS is a compact, affordable SUV that sells for around 17,000 euros. And it has made history by being the first Chinese vehicle to climb to the top of the market. MG has sold 20,166 units so far this year, almost six times more than in the first nine months of 2022. It has already entered the top ten, as the eighth best-selling brand until September.
In the first nine months, the Dacia Sandero, another affordable product in its segment, has confirmed its leadership with 19,655 units and an increase of 33%. It is followed by the Seat Arona, with 18,001 (30.5%) and the Peugeot 2008, with 15,271 (24.4%), according to data prepared by Ideauto for manufacturers’ associations (Anfac), dealers (Faconauto) and sellers ( Ganvam).
By brands, Toyota remains at the top both in September and in the first three quarters as a whole. Next, another Asian brand appears, Kia, ahead of Volkswagen, Peugeot and Seat.
A fact celebrated by organizations in the sector is the new rebound in sales to individuals, 9.4% and 33,155 units, although they emphasize that they are still below pre-pandemic figures. Sales to companies also improve (5%), while those aimed at rent a car plummet, which fall by 44%.
With the September data, the market is in its ninth positive month, although sales are still 15.8% below those recorded before Covid.
Electrification is advancing, but at an insufficient pace, as recognized by the general director of Anfac, José López-Tafall. Sales of pure electric passenger cars, the only ones that in principle will be able to be manufactured in Europe from 2035, grew by 13% in September to 3,724 units, 5.4% of the market. Also disappointing are the data for plug-in hybrids, which increased by 18% and reached a market share of 7%
Regarding the evolution of the market, Anfac spokesperson Félix García highlighted that in view of the data “they are not optimistic” to reach 950,000 units sold at the end of the year, due to the persistence of rising inflation and also to political uncertainty. Raúl Morales, from Faconauto, pointed out that “looking at the final stretch of the year, the fact that there is more stock in dealerships will open good opportunities for buyers, but it will not be enough to change our closing forecast, which we maintain between 930,000 and 940,000 units.”
