Shanghai (ZXZC)- In March 2021, the wholesale volume of locally-produced PVs (referring to cars, MPVs, SUVs, and minibuses) in China amounted to 1.87 million units, surging 82.6% from the year-ago period, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

The growth means that the world's largest auto market is leading the sector's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As of March 2021, China had seen its monthly PV wholesales grow year on year for eleven straight months.

Compared to the previous month, the PV wholesales also vigorously leapt 62.4% as there was a Spring Festival holiday in February.

Both car and SUV segments achieved robust year-over-year leap of over 80% in March wholesales.

Among the top 10 China-built PV models by March wholesales, there were seven car models and three SUV models. The top 5 places were all possessed by cars. The best-selling SUV model was the Haval H6, ranking 6th on the PV list.

The Lavida moved up 13 spots to the champion place. Both the Excelle and the Corolla saw their rankings remain unchanged over the previous month. With a growth of 1,216.9%, the CR-V was the fastest-growing one by monthly wholesales. The CS75, the hottest-selling PV model in February, dropped nine places to the tenth.

Hongguang MINIEV; photo credit: SAIC-GM-Wuling

The Hongguang MINIEV was still the only one on the top 10 list with only pure electric vehicles for sale.

Lavida regains honor of best-selling car model

In March, China's car wholesales amounted to 8.75 million units (+83.2% YoY), resulting in a year-to-date volume of 2.376 million units (+80.8%).

Among the top 10 car models by March wholesales, the Hongguang MINIEV was the only one from Chinese indigenous brands. The full-electric model was the second runner-up with a wholesale volume of 39,745 units.

Another BEV model on the top 10 cars list was the Tesla Model 3. Its wholesales in March zoomed up 149.5% over the previous year to 25,352 units, representing a great brand familiarity among Chinese consumers.

Lavida; photo credit: SAIC-VW

The Lavida regained the championship last month not only in car segment but in the PV segment, posting a robust hike of 210.52% from the previous month. The substantial change might be due to the seasonal factor, while also result from the active market strategy adjustment made by the automaker.

Despite the drop of two spots to the fourth place, the Excelle boasted the biggest year-on-year increase among the top 10 car models. The Buick-branded model has become a regular on the top 10 cars list after it dropped three-cylinder engine solution, while returned to the four-cylinder.

Two out of top 3 SUV models were from China's indigenous brands

Automakers in China sold roughly 868,000 SUVs last month, a year-over-year growth of 80.9%. For the first quarter of 2021, China’s SUV wholesales shot up 74.6% to 2.399 million units.

Among the top 10 SUV models by March wholesales, there were only two from China's self-owned models, namely the Haval H6 and the Changan CS75. However, both of them entered the top 3 list.

CS75 PLUS; photo credit: Changan Auto

The CS75 dropped to the third place from the No.1 in February, while it still outperformed the No.4 (the RAV4) by 9,472 units. The Haval H6 recaptured the honor of the hottest-selling SUV model with a wholesale volume of 34,865 units.

The Audi Q5L was the only luxury model on the top 10 SUVs list. It slid four places to the ninth, while still had a year-on-year jump of 55%.