The most popular car models in the Vietnamese market in 2017

Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 create a tense battle in the C segment, Fortuner overwhelms D-size SUV.

The 2017 Vietnamese auto market is about to end with the main highlights being many big price cuts and calculations for the 2018 situation between import and assembly plans of the companies.

The newly launched models are an important stepping stone for the post-2017 war, when purchasing power is expected to grow again after a year of somewhat declining sales.

Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5

It's not surprising that the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 are still the two most prominent names in the one-billion-dong family car segment. Reducing prices to increase sales, pushing inventory until 2017, choosing the launch time close together in the "one calls the other answers" style, the two Japanese car modelscreating an exciting competition in the Vietnamese auto market.

The new Honda CR-V in a media test drive held in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa.

Since 2018, CR-V has switched from assembly to import to take advantage of tax benefits. However, the tightening import policy, the advantage in favor of assembled cars is a difficult problem for Japanese car manufacturers in the goal of boosting CR-V sales.

The highest price of nearly 1.1 billion, which is 100 million higher than its competitors, means that Honda's strategic calculations for this product may not immediately change the current situation before the CX-5. The new design, engine and gearbox, and 7-seat structure are the bright spots that attract customers.in CR-Vwhen compared with fellow countrymen.

New generation Mazda CX-5 at Truong Hai factory.

Thanks to Truong Hai's price support and design that suits Vietnamese people, CX-5 has many advantages over the rest in 2018, a time when imported cars seemed to have an advantage over assembled cars.

The new generation CX-5 priced at 859-989 million VND creates an invisible pressure on the CR-V, a model that still has no specific selling price for its versions. Mazda CX-5 offers two engine options: 2.0 and 2.5 with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while Honda's product only has a 1.5 turbocharged engine and a CVT transmission.

Toyota Fortuner, ChevroletLook upIlblazer, Ssangyong Rexton

Consumers' expectations for the new generation Fortuner in 2017 are similar to those for Innova, Toyota's flagship MPV model in Vietnam launched in mid-2016.

New generation Fortuner launched at press conference in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ignoring criticisms about the boring driving feeling, the new Fortuner with a redesigned design and added equipment is still a big attraction in the segment. Ford Everest, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport are good but not enough. In a market with shopping habits and heavy resale value, new designs are not necessarily dominant. With Toyota's model, chasing sales is still a difficult problem for competitors, not to mention the goal of surpassing.

Mazda3

If Toyota Vios asserts absolute dominance in the ranking of best-selling car models in Vietnam, Mazda3 does the same in the C-class sedan segment alone.

Mazda3 2017 at the launch event in Hanoi.

The Mazda3 assembly version was launched in May 2017. With balanced design and equipment, plus the price support from Truong Hai, the Japanese car model has become a name that is hard to beat in terms of sales. Behind it are Altis, Civic, Cerato, Focus, Cruze still in pursuit.

Mazda3 2017 offers two engine options 1.5 and 2.0 with prices starting at 690 million VND.

Hyundai Grand i10, Hyundai Tucson

Focusing on the assembly plan and moving towards export, Hyundai Thanh Cong has put its efforts into strategic models such as Grand i10 and Tucson. Although not listed in VAMA with specific sales figures, the appeal of both in the confrontation with Japanese rivals cannot be denied.

The assembled version of the small urban car model Hyundai Grand i10 was launched in July 2017.

The new Grand i10 was launched in July 2017 with a new design, priced from 340 million VND. The business target is aimed at the low-cost, service-based car segment that is booming in Vietnam. The pricing strategy may be the main tool for Hyundai products and rival Kia Morning to continue to gain an advantage, before newcomers such as Toyota Wigo and Suzuki Celerio enter the market in 2018.

Tucson is currently not a real rival to both CX-5 and CR-V because the brand strength and reliability of the two Japanese models are affirmed not only in Vietnam.

Tucson assembled in Vietnam.

The assembled version costs from 815 million with a sleek appearance and is heavily influenced by its elder brother Santa Fe. Tucson is a true Korean car positioning in Vietnam, not noisy but takes a lot of customers from its competitors because of its modern design, aimed at liberal young people.

Luxury cars focus on SUVs

Less exciting in terms of anticipation than popular models, the 2017 luxury car market mainly brings new things in the SUV segment. Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q5, Range Rover Velar, Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes GLE 63, Volvo XC60 are the names that heat up the market.

Range Rover Velar, one of the most anticipated luxury SUVs in Vietnam 2017.

With the tightening of car import conditions since 2018, although genuine import businesses are not pushed into a corner like many private companies, they are also concerned about possible price increases, affecting consumption.

According to VNE