AutoBeta(AutoBeta.net)08/14 Report--

China's automobile industry has entered a decline stage, but the luxury car market is on its own, repeatedly achieving reverse growth, which has become a major "wonder" of the automobile industry this year. In the second half of the year, after the national five-year clearance, the market returns to rationality, while the degree of competition between brands will only become more and more fierce, and the sales ranking will change significantly. As the major luxury brands announced their sales results as of the end of July, the specific rankings were also released.

First-line luxury formation, Mercedes-Benz not only won the monthly championship with sales of more than 60,000 vehicles, but also surpassed BMW to become the leader for the time being. Audi's performance was stable, as the replacement of BMW's main products gave up the price space, Audi rose to second place in July. Second-tier brand survival pressure, Cadillac and Volvo to reduce prices to protect sales, Lexus completed the counterattack, once again won the second-tier formation monthly championship.

Mercedes-Benz returned to the lead in July. The smart brand sold 60093 vehicles in China in July, up 11 per cent from a year earlier. 410097 new cars were delivered in the first seven months, up 2 per cent from a year earlier, surpassing BMW by about 6,000.

The domestic Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback specially built for the Chinese market has been launched, gaining some incremental market, with sales of 5270 vehicles in July and 38000 in the first seven months. Sales of C-Class and E-Class cars were stable, reaching 13000 and 12000 respectively in July. Beijing Mercedes-Benz GLCs delivered 12349 vehicles in July, making it one of the top 10 SUV sales rankings.

Xi'an Mercedes-Benz oil spill in the first half of the year gradually faded, Mercedes-Benz will usher in a large-scale quality recall by the end of October this year, 570000 C-class, E-class shock absorbers fracture failure hidden danger, replacement of front shock absorbers or reinforced components.

Throughout the second half of the year, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch four domestic cars, namely, the domestic compact SUV GLB, the new GLC L long wheelbase version, the AMG A 35L 4MATIC and the EQC pure electric SUV. Therefore, for BMW and Audi, the competitive pressure will increase.

After Audi's price liberalization, sales increased for two months in a row. Audi sold 56223 new cars in July, up 6.1% from a year earlier to 368094 from January to July, still lagging behind Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The gap between Audi and BMW in second place is 36000. It is expected that there is no hope of winning this year.

Audi lost the aura of the official car, the new car sales performance is very general, including the pillar model Audi A6L, Q5 sales fell in the first half of the year, with the passage of time, Audi sales can recover after the opening of the discount. In July, Audi's three main models returned to the previous sales level, of which A4L reached 14000 in a single month; Q5L sales rose 45.7% to 13000, also ranking in the top 10 of the SUV list; and the new A6L also rose to 10, 000.

Industry insiders analysis: the new 3 series gave up the price space, the new A4L lost a most powerful competitor; Q5L, A6L also reached the most cost-effective position, sales can be stable for a period of time.

BMW has maintained its growth momentum in 2019, but the new 3-Series has just launched at a firm price and its sales have been affected. MINI sold 53953 vehicles in China in July, up 15.6 per cent from the same period last year to 404023 vehicles from January to July, up 16.6 per cent from a year earlier.

Domestic BMW X3 has had a good sales momentum since its launch a year ago, selling 10, 000 vehicles in July, with a total of 67700 in the first seven months. More than 91000 new cars were delivered in the first seven months of the 5 series and 14500 in July. The new 3 series has just completed the replacement of the market, the discount has not been fully liberalized, and July sales were only 4263 vehicles.

According to BBA, Audi stalled, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are expected to compete for the championship in 2019, and the fierce competition in the second half of the year is worth looking forward to.

The focus of second-tier luxury brands remains on Cadillac and Lexus. In July, Lexus sold 16110 vehicles in China, up 5.9% from a year earlier, surpassing Cadillac in one month and achieving 14 consecutive years of growth. In the first seven months, sales totaled 109933 vehicles, up 31% from the same period last year, and the gap with Cadillac gradually narrowed.

In terms of models, the average monthly sales of the ES are close to 9000, accounting for 57 per cent of Lexus models, while the proportion of Lexus hybrid models has also risen, accounting for 34 per cent of total sales. Lexus is a special brand with strong prices, significant sales growth and a stable price system.

Cadillac made a world of price, and the "price for volume" overdraft was very large in the first half of the year. After breaking 20, 000 units in May and June, sales fell back to 14706 in July. Cadillac's cumulative sales from January to July were 129298, up 2.1% from a year earlier, still ranking first among second-tier luxury brands, higher than Lexus's about 20, 000.

Among the domestic models, Cadillac completes the SUV subdivision layout of XT4, XT5 and XT6. The main cars ATS-L and XTS cut prices and clear the warehouse in the first half of the year, and then only a small batch of production or even will withdraw from the market. In July, the sales of the two cars are only a few hundred, and their market position will be replaced by CT5. The domestic CT5 will debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in September and go on sale in November.

Volvo sales growth is also eye-catching, the price reduction in exchange for sales effect is obvious. Volvo sold 12639 vehicles in China in July, up 24.9 per cent from a year earlier, and sales in the first seven months of 2019 rose 12.3 per cent year-on-year to 80380.

To sum up: BMW has a good momentum to compete for the championship, while Mercedes-Benz has a strong attack on new cars in the second half of the year, and both brands have the desire to compete for the first place, and this year is likely to be Audi's fiasco in China. Lexus overtook Cadillac in July, and the gap between Cadillac and Cadillac will gradually narrow while maintaining sales growth, and Cadillac's second-tier top position is in jeopardy.

Welcome to subscribe to the WeChat public account "Automotive Industry Focus" to get the first-hand insider information on the automotive industry and talk about things in the automotive circle. Welcome to break the news! WeChat ID autoWechat