The Dolphin Surf is BYDβs best-seller in South Africa in March.
18th straight month of year-on-year gains for the South African new vehicle market, with March volumes up a splendid 17.3% to 58,060. For the second consecutive month, this is a new record, eclipsing the previous March best ofΒ 56,110 hit in March 2012. The year-to-date tally is now up 12.4% to 161,978 units. In contrast exports drop -5.3% to 37,388 and are down -11.6% over Q1 to 86,281.
Toyota (+14.3%) scores a 22.9% share, similar to the 23.1% it holds year-to-date. The VW Group (+13.5%) is back above Suzuki (-4.5%) for the first time this year. Isuzu (+27.3%) surges three spots on February to #4, overtaking Hyundai (+5%), Ford (-2.7%) and GWM (+34.4%). Chery (+25.7%) is also in excellent shape at #8 while Jetour (+238%) manages a second ever Top 10 finish after last December and breaks its volume record at 1,768. BYD (#21) and Tata Passenger Cars (#22) now report sales. BYDβs best-sellers are the Dolphin Surf (239 sales) and Shark (94).
Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (+40.9%) surges ahead to 7.1% share, its highest since December 2024, and cements its YTD dominance at 6.1% of the market, the only nameplate above 4%. The Isuzu D-Max (+33.7%) climbs up three ranks on February to #2, its best ranking since exactly a year ago in March 2025 when it was also #2. The VW Polo Vivo (+32.6%) is another great performer at #3 whereas the Ford Ranger (-4.8%) is in trouble at #4. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (+71.3%) remains the best-selling Chinese vehicle in the country.
The March new US light vehicle market brakes -14% year-on-year to just 1.39 million units, with retail volumes down -16% and fleets off -2.3% according to GlobalData. Fleets account for 18.4% of the total light vehicle volume, up from 16.6% in March 2025. The Q1 tally is down -6.2% to 3,684,000. The SAAR for March is at 16.2 million vs. 17.8 million in March 2025 and 15.7 million in February. Q1 sales slow to 15.5 million annualised vs. over 16 million in 2024 and 2025. Keep in mind March 2025 is a high comparison base as customers rushed to purchase vehicles in the wake of the implementation of US tariffs.
Severe weather, the end of federal EV tax credits, record retail prices and economic uncertainty all contributed to a weak result in the US over the quarter. EV sales stumble -27% to 216,399 over Q1 according to Kelley Blue Book, thatβs a 5.8% market share down from a peak of 10.6% over Q3 2025. The average incentive per vehicle is up $165 to $3,325 according to JD Power and GlobalData, while EV discounts average $11,258, down $940 year-on-year.Β
In the OEM charts, General Motors (-9.6%) suffers but stays on top ahead of a stable Toyota Motor (-0.1%). Ford Motor (-8.7%) also struggles just ahead of Hyundai-Kia (+2.6%) hitting record levels and American Honda (-4.2%). Stellantis (+4%) confirms its recovery with a third consecutive quarterly increase.
Brand-wise, Toyota (+0.3%) is stable and easily stays on top ahead of Ford (-9.1%) and Chevrolet (-7.9%) both in difficulty. Honda (-5.1%) and Nissan (-7.7%) donβt fare much better and round out the Top 5. Below, both Kia (+4.1%) and Hyundai (+0.9%) post Q1 records. Note Kia sales have increased for six consecutive quarters. Ram (+20.1%) is the best performing brand near the top. Subaru (-15%) endures an 8th straight month of decline in March. Similarly Mazda (-14.4%) is down for a fourth consecutive quarter and Volkswagen (-16.1%) also.
Looking at models, the Ford F-Series (-16%) is in difficulty but still a distant leader above the Chevrolet Silverado (-0.1%), stable which is a good performance in the current context. The Honda CR-V (-3.8%) advances to #3 and #1 SUV as its archenemy the Toyota RAV4 (-48.1%) plunges to #13 due to its generation changeover. The Ram Pickup (+24.8%) is back in shape thanks partly to the return of V8 models. The Toyota Camry (+11.3%) surprises with a year-on-year gain, as more affordable sedans may be back in fashion in a record price context. The Camry (and not the RAV4) is Toyotaβs best-seller over a quarter for the first time since late 2017.Β
The Sazgar Haval H6 is up to #2 in Pakistan in March.
Data by local association PAMA shows sales of new locally produced light vehicles in Pakistan surging +39.9% year-on-year in March to 15,531. This leads to a Q1 volume up 38.6% to 55,707. Note not all manufacturers present in Pakistan are members of PAMA such as Kia, Changan and MG notably and therefore donβt appear in these statistics. Suzuki (+37.7%) matches the market to stay on top of the brands charts but at 40.2% share it is well below the 45.5% it commands over Q1. Below Toyota (+23.7%), Sazgar Haval (+84.4%) and Honda (+62.7%) stun while JAC surges 278.9%. Model-wise, the Suzuki Alto (+47.9%) remains ultra dominant at 29.4$% share just as the Sazgar Haval H6 (+84.4%) climbs to 2nd place. The Honda Civic is estimated to grow 71.5% at #4 and the Suzuki Swift is up 66.4% to #6.
Local consultancy Desrosiers Automotive has the Canadian new light vehicle market down a steep -8.2% year-on-year in March to 170,000 units. The SAAR is down to 1.85 million, the lowest since September 2025. The Q1 volume is down -4.4% to 406,000. Desrosiers considers this result as a solid one given the soaring gas prices and tariff-related economic headwinds. In the Q1 OEM charts, Ford Motor (+14.4%) brilliantly overtakes General Motors (-13.1%) while Hyundai-Kia (+0.8%) remains above Toyota Motor (-2.4%). Stellantis (+14.6%) stages a comeback with the Volkswagen Group (+7.7%) also strong.
In the Q1 brands charts, Ford (+14.1%) defies the negative market to sail away into the distance at almost 68,000 sales vs. under 43,000 for #2 Toyota (-1.1%). Chevrolet (-6.5%), Hyundai (+1.8%) and Honda (-8.7%) complete the Top 5. Volkswagen (+12.7%), Mitsubishi (+7.3%), Ram (+6.9%) and Jeep (+3.2%) also shine below. Hit hard are Tesla (-39.2%), Buick (-33.5%), Cadillac (-21.8%) and Mercedes (-20%).
Over in the models charts, the Ford F-Series (+9.4%) widens the gap with its followers to an outstanding Β 20,431 units while selling just over 34,000 units itself. The GMC Sierra (-15.2%) grabs the 2nd spot despite falling heavily year-on-year, while the Honda CR-V (-5%) climbs to #3 and #1 SUV. The Chevrolet Silverado (-11.9%) is in difficulty in 4th place whereas the Hyundai Tucson (+47.7%) surges to #5 ahead of the Nissan Kicks (+27.4%) and Ram Pickup (+16.6%). Other great performers below include the VW Tiguan (+135.8%) and Kia Sportage (+51.4%). Handicapped by a lousy generation changeover the Toyota RAV4 dives -62.7% to #13 vs. a traditional 2nd spot overall.
The Nissan Juke is the best-selling vehicle in Cyprus in March.
According to numbers by our local partners SEMO Cyprus and INNOSOFT, we have another difficult month for new car sales in Cyprus. March is off by a harsh -24.2% year-on-yearΒ to 1,214 units. This means the Q1 volume is down -18.8% to just 3,614. This month Nissan (+15.7%) ignores the surrounding gloom to climb to 21.8% share which should be a new record for the carmaker and up from 6.9% in January. In contrast, the new four brands all crash and lose more than half their year-ago volume: Kia is down -50.8%, Toyota down -51.4%, Volkswagen down -56% and Hyundai down -54%. Newcomer BYD repeats at #6 but sees its share thaw to 5.1%, its lowest since last November. MG (+200%), Land Rover (+122.2%) and Peugeot (+121.1%) also make themselves noticed below.
Model-wise, as expected given the manufacturerβs performance, itβs a Nissan festival with the Juke (+56.5%) in pole position with 11% share and the Qashqai (+18.9%) at 8.8%. The Qashqai snaps the #1 YTD spot in the process. Far below we have the Kia Stonic (-64.7%) cratering on its winning year-ago performance, and the Kia Sportage (-26.3%) which was still #1 after two months this year. The Jeep Avenger (+5.4%) is solid in 5th position while the Kia EV3 is estimated to rank #7. The BYD Seal U brilliantly breaks into the Top 10 for the first time at #8 while the Dolphin Surf repeats at #20.
85.2% of Tesla Model Y sales have gone to private buyers in March.
102,956 new cars found a private buyer in Germany in March, a sumptuous 22% year-on-year improvement. The Private Sales Ratio (PSR) stands at 35% vs. 33.3% a year ago in March 2025. Over Q1, private sales tilt into positive at +0.9% to 228,006 and 32.6% PSR vs. 34% over Q1 2025.
For the first time we can share with you an exclusive look at the brands ranking for German private sales. Volkswagen (-2%) is on top but can only muster a weak 11.8% share vs. 17.9% in the overall market, due to a weal 23.2% PSR. It is followed relatively closely by Skoda (+35.6%, 37.1% PSR) at 9% with Mercedes (+4.2%, 38.1% PSR) taking the third spot Tesla (+534.3%) jumps to 4th place with 83.9% PSR, ahead of BMW (+36.8%, 28.5% PSR), Hyundai (+74.2%, 58.8% PSR) and Dacia (+0.1%, 65.5% PSR).
We have a clear leader in the models charts: the Tesla Model Y at an exceptional 85.2% PSR and with over 5,800 sales. This is the first time since September 2024 that the Model Y tops the German PS charts. The Hyundai Tucson (68.3% PSR) takes the second spot above the Fiat Ducato (56.7% PSR) and Skoda Elroq (51.8% PSR) which led last month. The VW Golf, a distant leader in the general market, only rails #5 here with a paltry 22.6% PSR. Other great PSR are delivered by the Tesla Model 3 (80.6%), Dacia Sandero (67.9%), Cupra Born (67.7%) and Skoda Karoq (60.3%).
The Chevrolet Aveo is the best-selling vehicle in Mexico in March.
New vehicle sales in Mexico edge up 2.4% year-on-year in March (on revised year-ago volume) to 131,569 units. This is the 2nd biggest March volume below the 137,021 units of March 2017. Q1 results are up 3.7% to 381,653 which is a new record, eclipsing the previous best of 378,275 in Q1 2017. Nissan (-6.2%) keeps the lead despite a year-on-year fall, which Chevrolet (+0.5%) is stable at #2. Volkswagen (+3.8%) repeats at #3 ahead of Toyota (-7%) and Kia (+4.6%). The best scores are below: Geely is up 321.5% to break into the Mexican Top 10 for the first time at #9, Ram gains 35.2%, MG is up 28.4% and Hyundai up 10.6%. Further down, Cupra (+185.2%), Peugeot (+56.5%) and Changan (+51.3%) stand out.
Over in the models ranking, the Chevrolet Aveo (+9.2%) topples the traditional leader, the Nissan Versa (-20.8%) in great difficulty. This is the first time since February 2022 that the Aveo leads the Mexican charts and the first time since April 2023 that the Versa isnβt the best-seller. The Kia K3 (+3.8%) stays in third place above the Nissan NP300 (-20.6%) and a surging Hyundai Grand i10 (+89.8%). The Nissan Magnite (+749.8%) and Ram 1200 (+144.1%) post surreal gains with the MG 5 (+15.6%) also strong and the Nissan Kicks (+3.7%) down just one spot on a record 5th place reached last month.
The VW Touareg is up to a world best #4 in Ukraine in March.
New light vehicle sales in Ukraine are up a robust 10.9% year-on-year in March to 5,534 units, bringing the year-to-date tally over the First Quarter to 14,446, up 3.7% on the same period in 2025. Toyota (+50.7%) easily holds onto the top spot thanks to a fantastic gain lifting it to 15% share. This is however below the 16.7% it sports YTD. Renault (+7.2%) repeats at #2, a ranking it also holds year-to-date. Volkswagen (+15.3%) overtakes Skoda (+33.7%) for third place with Hyundai (+48.9%) rounding out the Top 5. Mazda (+96%) and Nissan (+26.2%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10. Note BYD down -14.4% to #10 vs. #6 YTD and #2 over the Full Year 2025.
Model-wise, the Toyota RAV4 (+128.7%) surges ahead to repeat at #1 with 7.1% share, cementing its YTD lead. Like last month the Renault Duster (-19.3%) is #2 while the Hyundai Tucson (+52.9%) is up one spot on February to #3. The VW Touareg (+17%) shines at #4 which could be its highest ranking in the world. The Skoda Kodiaq (+13.4%) also beats the market, but is less impressive than the Nissan Qashqai (+187.8%) and Toyota Prado (+100%). The Kia Sportage (+23.9%) and Suzuki S-Cross (-9.2%) ensure the Top 9 is only composed of SUVs.
The Renault Filante is up to #9 for its first full month in market.
Excellent result for new light vehicle sales in South Korea with March volumes up 10.2% year-on-year to 164,393 units. This includes 130,529 local manufacturers (+5.3%) and 33,964 foreigners (+34.6%). Over Q1, the market is up 5.2% to 407,713 including 325,608 locals (-0.4%) and 82,105 foreigners (+35.4%). For the third straight month, Kia (+12.7%) outsells sister brand Hyundai (-2.1%) with 34.3% share vs. 31.3%. Kia commands 34.7% of its home market YTD vs. 32.6% for Hyundai. Tesla (+329.6%) repeats at #3 and breaks its volume (11,130) and share (6.8%) records, previous bests having been established just last month. Genesis (-1.4%) is back from the brink and surpasses 10,000 units for the first time since last November. BYD (+16540%) celebrates one year in market with a record 9th place.
Looking at domestic models, the Kia Sorento (+7%) snaps the top spot for the 16th time in the past 19 months and sees its YTD sales back in positive at +1%. The Hyundai Grandeur (+21.9%) climbs up to #2 both for the month and YTD, followed by the Hyundai Porter (+5.3%) and Sonata (+26.1%) both down one spot on last month. The Kia Seltos (-6.9%) is back up 19 ranks on February to #8. But the surprise of the month is to be found below: the all new Renault Korea Filante is up 46 spots on last month to end March inside the Top 10 at #9. For reference, the brandβs previous success, the Grand Koleos (-75.5%), now cannibalised, peaked at #5 in November 2024. The Kia EV5 (#16), PV5 (#17) and EV4 (#27) are the next best-selling recent launches.
As for foreign models, Tesla manages a 1-2 for the first time with the Model Y (+3691.6%) in first place and the Model 3 (+57.9%) at #2. Note the Model Y would rank #3 in the overall charts when including domestic models. The Mercedes E Class (-24.1%) and BMW 5 Series (-7.2%) struggle below and each drop one rank on February to #3 and #4. The new BYD Sealion 7 cracks the Top 5 for the 2nd time after September 2025. The Polestar 4 (+122.8%) soars to #7 while the BYD Dolphin breaks into the Top 10 at #9 for what is its first appearance inside the Top 50.
The Yuan Up is BYDβs best-seller, ranking #5 overall.
The growing pains of a βpost-policy adjustment periodβ in China following the end of purchase tax exemptions have proven far more severe than anticipated. CAAM data has the Chinese new vehicle Β market reaching 2,899,000 units in March, down -0.6% year-on-year. However this includes exports and March sales show an βcold-at-home, hot-abroadβ dynamic. The domestic market remains in freefall with sales down -16% year-on-year to 2,024,000 units whereas exports surge 72.7% to 875,000 units. Production is down -3% year-on-year to 2,917,000. Over Q1, sales are down -5.6% to 7,048,000 units and production off -6.9% to 7,039,000. Domestic sales sink -20.3% to 4,823,000 just as exports soar 56.7% to 2,226,000.
Looking at segments, March Passenger Vehicle wholesales are down -2.3% to 2,446,000 and Commercial Vehicles are up 8.9% to 487,000. Domestic PV sales are down -19.2% to 1,663,000 and CV sales are up 2.7% to 360,000. Year-to-date, PV sales are down -7.6% to 5,934,000 and CV sales up 4.% to 1,114,000. Domestic PV and CV sales are down 23.4% to 4,013,000 and up 0.03% to 810,000 respectively.
New Energy Vehicle sales are up 1.2% year-on-year in March to 1,252,000 units, with domestic sales down -18.3% to 882,000 and accounting for 43.6% of the total domestic market. In the detail, BEVs are up 3.2% to 831,000 and PHEVs down -2.3% to 421,000. Year-to-date, NEV sales are down -3.7% to 2,960,000 including 1,913,000 BEVs (-0.8%) and 1,047,000 PHEVs (-8.6%).Β
Exports show a completely different picture. PV exports surge 82.4% to 748,000 while CV exports are up 31.4% to 127,000 units. Over Q1, PV exports are up 63% to 1,921,000 and CV exports up 26% to 305,000. Notably,Β NEV exports are up 130% year-on-year in March to 371,000 and up 120% to 954,000 units year-to-date.
The Li i6 is up to a record 4th place in March.
After a few turbulent months, the brands ranking returns to some kind of normalcy, in the sense that BYD (-38.4%) posts an easy win with over 166,000 sales, compared to roughly 68,000 in January and 74,000 in February. Even though this is still a steep year-on-year fall, the fact that BYD is back on top will have many executives at the company sighing with relief. While most of its models are down sharply, the Dolphin (+50.7%), Seal 05 (+84.5%), and Yuan Up (+25.4%) stand out just as the new Sealion 06 adds over 18,300 to the total. We welcome the Song Ultra with 1,214 sales. BYD pushes Geely (-18%), in an unusual rut, to 2nd place but the latter remains by far the YTD lead with almost 407,000 units vs. 308,000 for BYD which still ranks at a low #4. Toyota (-8%) manages to outsell Volkswagen (-22.1%) for the first time since July 2021.
Below, Nissan (+29.9%) spectacularly sports the only year-on-year gain in the Top 10, and a stunning one at that. The Japanese carmaker is helped by strong performances of the Sylphy (+35.8%) which accounts for 57% of the brandβs March volume, and even though the new N6 and N7 are disappointing. Li Auto (+11.9%) progresses to #11 which is its best ranking since October 2024. Fang Cheng Bao (+162.3%), NIO (+121.5%), Qiyuan (+83.1%), Zeekr (+72.7%) and Deepal (+45.9%) impress below. Of note is MG, traditionally very discreet at home in contrast with export markets, up 80.4% to #30. Among foreign manufacturers, Volvo (+43.3%), Citroen (+41.9%), Mazda (+24.4%) and Cadillac (+22.5%) make themselves noticed.
Looking at the models ranking in isolation, the Tesla Model Y (-17.4%) sports its first win of the year despite a harsh YoY fall, and ranks #2 year-to-date vs. #3 over the Full Year 2025. The Geely Xingyuan (-4.7%) is toppled to #2 but ascends to #1 over Q1. As noted above, the Nissan Sylphy (+35.8%) shines and is up 25 spots on February to #3. The new Li i6 climbs up a further two ranks to a record 4th place, a tremendous performance for the newcomer. The Yuan Up (+25.4%) is back up 50 spots to #5, distancing the VW Lavida (-17.1%) and the new BYD Sealion 06. The Geely Boyue L (+102.7%) and BYD Dolphin (+50.7%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10.
The Jaecoo J5 ends the month just 65 off the March models top spot.
Indonesian new vehicle wholesales are in poor form in March at -13.6% year-on-year to just 61,271 units, yet with a year-to-date tally up 1.9% to 209,021. Retail sales similarly drop -13% to 66,637 but are up 0.7% over Q1 to 211,905.Β
In the wholesales brands ranking, leaders Toyota (-20%) and Daihatsu (-31.7%) both fall even faster than the market but remain on top with 29.4% and 14.6% share respectively. Mitsubishi (-10%) is in better shape at #3 but still drops by double-digits. Suzuki (+2.5%) defies the negative market but drops one spot on February to #4. Honda (-34.5%) collapses but manages to stay at #5. Newcomer Jaecoo breaks all its records at #6 with 3,035 sales and 5% share, eclipsing its previous best of #7, 3,005 and 3.7% established just last month. It overtakes BYD (-8.2%) to become the most popular Chinese brand in Indonesia for the month. Indonesian carmaker Aletra, a partnership between PT Sinar Armada Globalindo (SAG) and Livan Auto, makes its first appearance in the charts at #39.
Retail-wise, the ranking and YoY evolutions are a little different. Toyota (-20.3%), Daihatsu (-15.2%) and Mitsubishi (-16.7%) still lead but Suzuki (-10.3%) is down and BYD (+44.7%) markedly up at #5. Honda (-50%) and newcomer Jaecoo follow.
Over in the wholesales model ranking, the Toyota Kijang Innova (-43.5%) is in complete freefall year-on-year but manage to grasp the March lead with 4.9% share. It still ranks #2 year-to-date. The performance of the month is delivered by the new Jaecoo 5, launched last November and already #2 overall, only 65 sales off the pole position. A tremendous start for the Chinese BEV. The Daihatsu Gran Max Pikap (+13.1%) stays at #3 and remains in the YTD lead with 5.9% share. It is followed by last monthβs leader the Suzuki New Carry Pikap (+85.1%).Β
The Model Y is at its highest in 2 years in Germany.
294,161 new cars hit German roads in March, a stunning 16% year-on-year gain. The Q1 volume is now up 5.2% to 699,404. 70,663 BEVs found a buyer this month, up a fantastic 66.2% while the Q1 volume is up 41.3% to 159,630. Volkswagen (+3.2%) significantly trails its home market at 17.9% share vs. 18.7% so far this year. Skoda (+34%) lodges another remarkable performance, ranking #2 for the third consecutive month and ever. BMW (+16.5%), Mercedes (+7.5%) and Audi (+25%) round out the Top 5 ahead of a surging Opel (+43%). Hyundai (+30.6%) also shines at #7 but the biggest gain in the Top 10 is delivered by Tesla at an extravagant +315.1% to #9, its highest ranking in exactly 3 years, since also reaching #9 in March 2023. Below, Kia (+33.3%), Fiat (+29%) and Mazda (+27.6%) stand out while BYD is up 327.1% to #23.
Over in the models charts, the VW Golf (+20.1%) sports its biggest YoY gain since July 2025 and is once again the faraway leader. The surprise of the month is the 2nd place of the Tesla Model Y (+379.1%) up almost 5-fold YoY and up 52 spots on February, reaching its best ranking since February 2024 when it was also #2. Remember the Model Y was #1 outright in Germany in September 2022. The VW T-Roc (-19.9%) and Tiguan (-8.6%) both struggle and are relegated to #3 and #4 respectively just as the Opel Corsa (+24.8%) climbs three ranks on last month to #5. The Audi A6 (+15.3%) is up two to #9 and the Mercedes GLC (+28.6%) up five to #10. Just outside the Top 10, the Skoda Elroq (+242%), BMW X3 (+178.8%) and Hyundai Tucson (+136.4%) make themselves noticed. Note 34% of X3 sales come from the iX3 BEV variant in March.
The Tesla Model Y resumes its dominance in Finland.
Finnish new car sales post an unusually strong month in March at +10% year-on-year to 6,692 units. This tilts the YTD tally into positive territory at +2.7% to 16,886. Toyota (-5.2%) remains the most popular brand in the country by far at 13.3% share despite a YoY fall and finding itself one percentage point below its YTD level. Volkswagen (+0.5%) is stable in 2nd place, a disappointing result in context. In contrast Volvo (+25%) and most impressively Tesla (+100.7%) stun below. BMW (+48.1%) also vastly outpaces the market at #7 while BYD (+194.3%), Renault (+124.3%) and Peugeot (+90.9%) stand out below.
Model-wise, the Tesla Model Y (+76.6%) ranks #1 for the 4th consecutive month with 5.4% share, as a reminder it was #5 over the Full Year 2025. The Toyota Yaris Cross (+112.9%) surges to 2nd spot, also held YTD vs. #1 over the Full Year 2025. The Nissan Qashqai (+63.2%) is back up to #3 while the Tesla Model 3 (+154.4%) surges to #4, the nameplateβs highest ranking in Finland since December 2024. Notice also the Mercedes CLA (+2366.7%) at #7, the Skoda Elroq (+258.5%) at #8 and the VW T-Roc (+306.5%) at #13.