In the blink of an eye, the first four months of 2024 have already passed. A year in which the national automotive industry is not going through its best moment. Thus, to date, 96,582 new copies have been registered, which represents a decrease of 12.9% compared to the same period last year.
As expected, SUVs continue to be the preferred body type of Chileans, with 45,705 units sold and 47.3% market share. Much further behind, they are followed by passenger vehicles with 20,237 units and 21% MS, vans with 19,898 and 20.6% and commercial vehicles with 10,742 and 11.1%.
Although each segment has its own ranking, when comparing the marketed units of each of them -not counting those of the commercial ones-, we find that Among the 10 models preferred by the local consumer during the first four months, there are five trucks, four cars and only one SUV, which is striking considering that the latter have almost half of total sales.
On the other hand, if we count by manufacturing origin, we find that there are four that are built in China (Chevrolet Groove, GWM Poer, Maxus T60 and Kia Soluto), two in Argentina (Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger), two in India (Hyundai Grand i10 and Suzuki Baleno) and one in Thailand (Mitsubishi L-200). The Suzuki Swift arrives from Japan or India, depending on the version.
That said, and in terms of sales units, if we add up the placements of the 10 best-selling vehicles of the first quarter, These total 19,147 units, which represents almost 20% of total sales.
Launched in 2022, the third generation of the Indian-made model ranks fourth in the current passenger vehicle ranking. It is offered in four equipment versions, all equipped with a 1.3-liter, 103-horsepower engine.
The fifth generation of the successful pick-up arrived last year, coming from Argentina and fighting in the medium-sized truck segment. It is available in eight versions with double cab and 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter diesel engines.
The sedan of Chinese origin that Kia sells in Chile is today positioned third among the best-selling passenger vehicles. It has a 1.4-liter engine with 94 HP, associated with a 5-speed manual transmission. It is capable of delivering between 12.3 km/l (city) and 19.8 km/l (highway).
In 2023, Hyundai debuted the facelift (update) of the Grand i10 in the country, which arrived in its sedan and hatchback variants. While the first is available with a 1.0 liter (65 Hp) and 1.2 liter (82 Hp) engine, the three-body model is only available with the largest engine. It is currently second in the passenger ranking.
The Chinese truck is the fourth best-selling pick-up in 2024. Last February Maxus added a gasoline version to its line-up, equipped with a 2.4 naturally aspirated engine of Mitsubishi origin, capable of delivering 158 Hp and 225 Nm of torque.
The Poer is third on the podium of the best-selling trucks. It is offered in nine versions, all with a 2.0 turbodiesel engine with 161 HP and 400 Nm of torque.
The Swift leads the ranking of passenger vehicles. The compact arrives from India or Japan, depending on the version.
The Groove is the only SUV that makes it onto this list. It arrives from China, measures 4,220 mm long, has a 417-liter trunk and is offered with a single 1.5-liter engine and 105 horsepower.
Manufactured in Argentina, the Toyota Hilux ended 2023 as the best-selling truck in Chile, and after marketing 9,100 units, which even made it the best-selling vehicle in the national market. Today it is second among trucks.
Being the best-selling vehicle in Chile is not an easy task, there are currently more than 80 brands. Of course, the pick-up from Thailand knows its way around these lands. And, with the exception of 2023, the L200 is the best-selling truck in the country during the last decade.
Today the L200 is renewed after nine years and the pre-sale of its sixth generation has prices starting at $29,738,100.
