Despite the tough times faced by local car makers in 2023, where sales dropped by almost half, let’s delve into which cars managed to stand out amidst the challenges.
1. Kia Sportage
Securing a spot in the top 10, the Kia Sportage sold 3,252 units in 2023, marking a significant 52% decline from the previous year’s sales of 7,630 units.
2. Suzuki Wagon R
In 9th place, the Suzuki Wagon R sold 3,494 units in 2023, showing a drastic 77% decrease from the 15,273 units sold in 2022. Its peak popularity was in 2017/18, with over 29,000 units sold.
3. Suzuki Cultus
The Suzuki Cultus claimed 8th place with 3,721 units sold in 2023, reflecting a 73% decrease compared to 13,798 units sold in 2022. Its highest sales were in 2021, with over 23,000 units sold.
4. Hyundai Tucson
Securing 7th place, the Hyundai Tucson sold 4,198 units in 2023, experiencing a 28% decline from 5,804 units sold in 2022.
5. Suzuki Swift
In 6th position, the Suzuki Swift saw 4,433 units sold in 2023, marking a significant 65% decline from the 12,833 units sold in 2022.
6. Toyota Yaris
Yaris secured 5th place with 4,796 units sold in 2023, suffering a 69% sales decline compared to 15,507 units sold in 2022. It peaked in 2020/21, with nearly 30,000 units sold annually.
7. Toyota Hilux
Surprisingly in 4th place, the Toyota Hilux sold 5,401 units in 2023, experiencing a 42% dip in sales compared to 9,339 units sold in 2022.
8. Honda City
Grabbing 3rd place, the Honda City sold 5,888 units in 2023, a 70% decrease from the 19,860 units sold in 2022.
9. Toyota Corolla
The enduring Toyota Corolla secured 2nd position with 7,176 units sold in 2023, representing a 70% decline from the already reduced numbers of 23,960 units sold in 2022. Its peak sales were over 50,000 units annually.
10. Suzuki Alto
Once again, the Suzuki Alto maintained its position as the highest-selling car, despite a significant 68% drop in sales from 66,427 units in 2022 to 21,170 units in 2023. Despite the decline, the runner-up sales were almost three times less than that of the Alto. Its peak year was 2021, with over 70,000 units sold.
In conclusion, despite the challenging year for local car assemblers in 2023, the Suzuki Alto remains the reigning champion in terms of sales, followed by stalwarts like the Toyota Corolla and Honda City. With shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the coming years.