World Top 10 February 2017 (Updated)

Models - Nissan Leaf #1, Prius jumps to #2

Thanks to a tip from one of our readers, we got confirmation from the Toyota Prius Prime/PHV registrations in Japan and the numbers were astounding for a landing month (3.230!), waaay above my estimate (700), enabling the Japanese model to shoot for #2, if its numbers continue this high throughout the coming months, then we will have the Prime running for #1 sooner than later.

After a slight scare, the global EV market is back on track, with over 53.000 units delivered in last month, representing a 40% growth YoY, with the Chinese market on its way to recover the pace, expect sales to peak in March, do i hear 90-100k deliveries next month?

In February, the Nissan Leaf cemented its leadership with an additional 4.000 units delivered, something that wouldn't be much of a surprise, if it wasn't the oldest model in this Top 10. 

Thanks to the record month in its home market (3.230 units), the Toyota Prius Prime / PHV (Will me mentioned from now on as Prime), delivered a record 4.593 units in February, these high numbers on such an early stage of its career bode well for the future of the Japanese model, not only making it the Best Seller of the Month, but also allowing it to jump straight to #2.

In Third we have the ZE 40-boosted Renault Zoe, followed by the Tesla Model S, climbing to Fourth Place, and with the French hatchback within shooting range, expect the Californian to reach Second Place in March, profiting from the usual last-month-of-the-quarter peak. 

Below these two, we have a couple more surprises, with the Chevrolet Volt reaching Sixth Place and the Tesla Model X dropping to #8.

Now that the reservations backlog has dried up, it seems Tesla's SUV is less in demand than its older brother Model S, an exception to the current trend of falling sales from regular cars and boiling hot demand for SUV's, which begs the question: Is it all to blame on those Model X Falcon Doors?

In the second half of the Top 10, we can see also the first Chinese model to reach the Top 10 this year and...Shock! It's not a BYD! The BAIC EC180 is a small-but-trendy city car that's just started its career last December and three months after, it's already in the Top 10, so i think we will be hearing about it a lot throughout this year.

"But what about the Chevrolet Bolt?" - Some of of you might be wondering, as GM's new baby fails to be inside the Top 10.

The new long-range BEV is #11, with 2.206 units, as it is still in launch mode, we shouldn't read too much on its deliveries, only after landing in Europe and Asia, where its size and shape is better understood, we will see if the car is a success. And if GM makes them in enough quantities.

Pl	WORLD	Feb.	YTD	%	'16Pl
1	Nissan Leaf	4.228	7.925	9	1
2	Toyota Prius Prime / PHV	4.593	5.959	6	64
3	Renault Zoe	2.852	5.496	5	8
4 5 6	Tesla Model S BMW i3 Chevrolet Volt	2.860 2.047 2.118	4.977 4.504 3.990	5 5 4	2 6 4
7	BAIC EC180	2.800	3.524	4	42
8	Tesla Model X	1.345	3.484	4	7
9	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	1.372	2.715	3	5
10	Volkswagen Passat GTE	1.075	2.437	3	19
	TOTAL	53.066	93.536

BAIC EC180

Manufacturers -  BMW #1!

BMW is pushing forward, leading the EV charge with over 10.000 units in two months, doubling last year result and on target to reach the 100.000 units (Or more) that the brand management set as goal for this year.

The German brand is followed by Nissan and Tesla, both running for Second Place, while in Fourth we have a strong Chevrolet, doubling sales YoY. 

Toyota (Back to the Top 10 after a two year absence) jumped to #6, while BAIC is the Best Selling Chinese brand in the ranking, while we salute a new entry in the Top 10, Zotye profits from the Chinese market recovery to return into the Big Boys table.

But, what about last year winner, BYD??? Well, after registering 2.045 units last month, it is now #15, up two positions regarding January. With the new "100" versions of the Tang and Qin just released in the end of February, expect it to score a decent performance in March (7.000 units?) and rejoin the Top 10 soon.

Pl	WORLD	Feb.	YTD	%	'16Pl
1	BMW	4.815	10.047	11	3
2	Nissan	4.558	8.662	10	4
3	Tesla	4.205	8.460	9	2
4	Chevrolet	3.160	6.204	7	8
5 6 7	Renault Toyota BAIC	3.197 4.604 3.929	6.056 6.012 5.550	7 7 6	10 30 5
8	Volkswagen	2.218	4.815	5	6
9	Mercedes	1.871	4.127	4	13
10	Zotye	3.791	3.977	4	7