B-class sedan September: Toyota Vios breaks through, Korean cars lose steam

Toyota Vios had a spectacular acceleration in September, regaining the throne in the B-class sedan segment, while Honda City declined and Hyundai Accent continued to be left behind.

September sales race and the return of Vios

The Vietnamese automobile market in September witnessed strong fluctuations in the B-segment sedan segment, one of the most competitive segments. According to reports from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) and TC Motor, total sales of this segment reached 2,778 units, recording growth compared to the previous month. This increase mainly came from improved sales of most models, except for one notable name.

Toyota Vios had a successful September to take the lead in the B-segment sedan segment.

Toyota Vios made an impressive comeback with sales of 1,292 cars, nearly double the 726 cars in August, thereby regaining its familiar leading position. Meanwhile, its direct competitor Honda City recorded a significant decline, from 1,136 cars in August to only 475 cars in September. Although still holding the second position, this misstep created a large gap between City and Vios.

Other models in the segment also recorded positive business results. Hyundai Accent increased slightly to 406 cars, Mazda2 sold 432 cars, Mitsubishi Attrage sold 155 cars and Kia Soluto sold 18 cars. This even growth shows that purchasing power is gradually recovering, but the differentiation between car models is increasingly clear.

Comparison table of B-class sedan sales in August and September

Car model	August sales	September sales
Toyota Vios	726	1,292
Honda City	1,136	475
Mazda2	399	432
Hyundai Accent	332	406
Mitsubishi Attrage	87	155
Kia Soluto	11	18

Long distance racing and the advantages of Japanese cars

In terms of cumulative sales after the first 9 months of the year, the position of Toyota Vios has been further consolidated. This model has sold a total of 8,496 cars, not only leading the segment but also being the only sedan representative to appear in the list of 10 best-selling cars in Vietnam. This shows the enduring preference of consumers for Vios.

Hyundai Accent is having a hard time competing with Japanese rivals.

Honda City ranked second with 6,377 units sold, while Hyundai Accent was lagging behind with 5,035 units. This gap shows that models from Korea are facing many challenges. Kia Soluto, another representative from Korea, also achieved modest sales of only 215 units after 9 months, showing the difficulty in finding a foothold.

What future for cheap sedans?

The dominance of high-chassis vehicles such as SUVs or MPVs is an undeniable trend in Vietnam. This has caused low-chassis vehicle segments, including B-class sedans, to gradually lose their appeal. Once the top choice for first-time car buyers or service businesses, sedan models now face fiercer competition.

The appearance of Skoda Slavia shows that the B-class sedan segment still has potential.

However, this segment is not completely dead. The departure of Suzuki Ciaz from the market has been offset by the appearance of Skoda Slavia, showing that manufacturers still see opportunities. The biggest advantage of B-class sedans today is competitive prices and attractive promotions.

To stimulate demand, car manufacturers continuously launch large incentive packages. In October, both Toyota Vios and Honda City received 100% support for registration fees, equivalent to a reduction of 46-57 million VND depending on the version. Hyundai Accent is also not out of the game with a cash discount of up to 50 million VND. Mitsubishi Attrage also received incentives equivalent to 100% of registration fees. These policies help B-class sedans maintain their competitiveness and are a worthy choice for consumers.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/sedan-co-b-thang-9-toyota-vios-but-pha-xe-han-hut-hoi-10308415.html