Geely is making progress in China, particularly thanks to its new Xingyuan sedan
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Geely is making progress in China, particularly thanks to its new Xingyuan sedan
- Among the top twenty best-selling passenger cars in the Chinese market in 2025 (cumulative 11 months), an unexpected model has just taken third place, positioned between the BYD Seagull and the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, figthing for the small BEV market in China. This disruptive contender is the GeelyXingyuan is a small, battery electric B-segment sedan measuring 4.14 m long, 1.81 m wide, and 1.57 m high. Less cramped than a Seagull (3.78 m), a Wuling Mini EV (3.26 m), or a Wuling Bingo (3.95 m), it appeals to Chinese consumers who value interior space, even in small cars. The Xingyuan also competes with the BYD Dolphin (4.28 m).
- Thanks to the success of this new model, the Geely group saw its sales in China increase by 39% in 2025, while BYD's growth did not exceed 10%. The model, which was launched in September 2024, was designed by Geely Geometry, a subsidiary of the Chinese carmaker, but marketed under the Geely brand in China and abroad, where it is named the Geely EX2. It should be noted that this model has also been produced in Malaysia since October 2025 by Proton, a company 49.9% owned by Geely, which markets it under the Proton brand.
- Its electric motor develops either 78 hp (58 kW) or 114 hp (85 kW), coupled with a 30 kWh or 40 kWh LFP battery, allowing a range of 395 km in the best case scenario.
- While the sales volume of the Xingyuan did not exceed 52,659 units in 2024 (over three months of marketing), it will probably reach 500,000 units in 2025.
Santana Motors will resume vehicle production
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Santana Motors will resume vehicle production
- Founded in 1956, Santana Motors was a Spanish SUV carmaker based in Linares, Andalusia, Spain. The company began by producing Land Rover models under license, then expanded its range in 1967 with a model of its own design. In 1983, Land Rover, facing serious financial difficulties, ended its partnership with the Spanish carmaker Santana Motors, and the vehicles were subsequently rebranded as Santana, such as the Santana 2500. In 1985, Santana Motors partnered with the Japanese carmaker Suzuki to produce the Suzuki SJ and Suzuki Samurai, followed by the Suzuki Vitara . The collaboration between Santana Motors and Suzuki ended in 1999, and in 2006, a partnership began between Santana Motors and Iveco to produce the Massif. The Iveco Campagnola was launched in 2009. But the model proved to be a commercial failure and Santana Motors went bankrupt in 2011. From 6,692 vehicles produced in 2007, production had fallen to 769 in 2010.
- Santana Motors is relaunched in 2025 by a Chinese consortium that includes Dongfeng -Nissan, a joint venture between Dongfeng and Nissan. An assembly line is already operational at the Santana Motors plant in Linares, ready to assemble SKD pickup trucks (diesel and PHEV) based on the Dongfeng Z9/Nissan Frontier models produced in China. The European pickup truck market hovers around 80,000 units annually, despite the discontinuation of the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200 a few years ago. The current market leader is the Ford Ranger, followed by the Toyota Hilux , Isuzu D-Max, and VW Amarok.
- A cooperation agreement has also been signed between Santana Motors and another Chinese company, BAIC Automotive Group, for the SKD assembly of a range of SUVs, which will be launched from the summer of 2026.
The Brazilian car market will grow by 2.7% in 2025
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The Brazilian car market will grow by 2.7% in 2025
- The Brazilian passenger car market is projected to grow by approximately 2.7% in 2025 compared to 2024, and is expected to approach the 2 million unit mark it had fallen below since 2020. This market experienced stronger years between 2008 and 2015 and between 2018 and 2019, significantly exceeding 2 million units during those periods. Sales peaked in 2012, with over 2.8 million units sold. The Brazilian car market really has the potential to reach those record levels again in the coming years, due to a still low motorization rate, especially compared to North America even though Brazil remains the best motorized in South America.
- By carmaker, the Stellantis group remains the leader in the Brazilian market (24% of the market) with its Fiat, Peugeot and Citroën brands, ahead of the Volkswagen group (18% of the market), GM (11% of the market) and Hyundai-Kia (10% of the market). They are followed by Toyota (6%), BYD (5%), Honda (5%), Renault (5%), Chery (4%) and Nissan (4%).
- Renault, struggling to gain traction in the Brazilian market, has decided to partner with the Chinese company Geely to achieve a stronger presence there. Geely already has a presence in Brazil, but with a very small market share.
- The two largest Chinese carmakers are currently BYD (5%) and Chery (4%) which account for 75% of Chinese sales in Brazil, with the share of all Chinese carmakers in Brazil reaching 12% in 2025.
The Indian car market will grow by 3.2% in 2025
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The Indian car market will grow by 3.2% in 2025
- The Indian passenger car market will grow at the same rate as the South Korean market in 2025, but this is purely coincidental, meaning a growth rate of 3.2%. Market volume will approach 4.5 million units for the first time in its history (compared to 4.3 million units in 2024) and will consolidate its lead over Japan, which will register fewer than 4 million passenger cars in 2025.
- The Indian market has become the fourth largest in the world in just a few years, behind China, the United States, and Europe (30 countries: EU + UK + Switzerland + Norway). This market represented only 1.5 million vehicles per year between 2005 and 2008, 2.5 million per year between 2011 and 2014, then 3.0 million in 2021 and 4.0 million in 2023. Despite this strong growth, India remains a market with low vehicle ownership, especially compared to China. Therefore, there is a strong likelihood that this market will continue to grow.
- By carmaker, Suzuki- Maruti (specializing in small cars) traditionally remains the leading carmaker in India (39% of the market in 2025), but competitors are beginning to gradually reduce their gap with the market leader.
- The Korean group Hyundai-Kia, a newcomer to the market, has already managed to capture 19%, ahead of India's Mahindra (specializing in SUVs) with 14% and India's Tata Group (present in both the small car and SUV categories) with 13%. Following behind, Japan's Toyota holds 8% of the market. Other carmakers present in the market remain marginal. Imports represent only 4% of the market due to very high customs duties.
The Korean car market will grow by 3.2% in 2025
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The Korean car market will grow by 3.2% in 2025
- The South Korean passenger car market is projected to grow by 3.2% in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching a volume of 1.47 million units versus 1.425 million the previous year. Since 2021, this market has hovered around 1.40-1.47 million units and has not yet returned to the record levels of 2015-2020 (around 1.53-1.60 million units).
- Since 2005, the South Korean market had experienced strong growth, gradually increasing from 1 million units in 2005 to 1.57 million in 2015. However, this market experienced an initial period of stagnation between 2015 and 2020, with record levels but no further growth. On the contrary, the market declined in 2021 and remained virtually stable until 2025.
- The Korean Hyundai-Kia group traditionally holds the largest share of the South Korean market (73% by 2025), largely due to its extensive range of models in every market segment. This group far surpasses other carmakers. The two German premium brands, BMW (6% of the market) and Mercedes (4% of the market), occupy second and third place, respectively, bolstered by their strong premium brand image, which some Korean customers struggle to find within the Hyundai-Kia group, despite the presence of Genesis models. BMW and Mercedes are, of course, imported – imports of all brands currently account for 20% of the South Korean market – and thus represent half of all imports in Korea. Next come Tesla (4% of the market), Renault (3% of the market), which has a production facility in Korea, and KGM (3% of the market), which acquired the local brand SsangYong. GM Korea trails behind.