B-segment sedans in September: Toyota Vios surges ahead, Korean cars decline.
September's B-segment sedan sales saw the return of the Toyota Vios to the top spot, while the Honda City declined and Korean models like the Hyundai Accent continued to struggle in the race.
Overview of the B-segment sedan market in September.
The B-segment sedan market in Vietnam, with familiar names like the Toyota Vios, Hyundai Accent, and Honda City, once held high positions in the overall market sales rankings. However, the trend towards SUVs is gradually causing this segment to lose momentum. Despite this, the latest report from the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) shows that total sales in September reached 2,778 vehicles, recording growth compared to the previous month, mainly due to improvements in most models.
Contrasting trends for key models
September saw a surprising shift in rankings. The Toyota Vios made a spectacular comeback, taking the lead with 1,292 units sold, a significant increase from August's 726 units. Meanwhile, the Honda City recorded a substantial drop, from 1,136 units to just 475 units, falling to second place.
Korean car models showed a clear decline in sales. The Hyundai Accent, despite a slight increase to 406 units, still lagged far behind its Japanese rivals. Similarly, the Kia Soluto sold only 18 units, a rather modest number. Other models such as the Mazda2 (432 units) and Mitsubishi Attrage (155 units) also recorded slight sales increases.
Sales figures for B-segment sedans in August and September.
| Car model | August sales figures (vehicles) | September sales (vehicles) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The race for cumulative sales in the first 9 months of the year.
Since the beginning of the year, the Toyota Vios has maintained its leading position with a total sales of 8,496 units. It is also the only sedan to feature in the list of the top 10 best-selling cars in Vietnam after three quarters. The Honda City ranks second with 6,377 units, while the Hyundai Accent follows with 5,035 units. This gap suggests that the Honda City has the potential to surpass its South Korean competitor throughout 2025.
In the lower segment, the Mazda2 and Mitsubishi Attrage achieved sales of 3,664 and 1,313 units respectively. The Kia Soluto continued to struggle with only 215 units sold after 9 months.
What does the future hold for affordable sedans?
The decline of once-bestselling models like the Hyundai Accent and the inconsistent performance of the Honda City clearly reflect the changing tastes of Vietnamese consumers, who increasingly favor versatile SUVs. The B-segment sedan market, once a top choice for first-time car buyers or those in the service industry, is facing a challenging future.
However, this segment is not entirely obsolete. The departure of the Suzuki Ciaz from the market has been offset by the arrival of the newcomer Skoda Slavia. The core competitive advantage of B-segment sedans remains their accessible price. To stimulate demand, automakers are continuously launching major promotional programs. In October, both the Toyota Vios and Honda City received 100% support for registration fees, equivalent to a reduction of 46-57 million VND. The Hyundai Accent also received a cash discount of up to 50 million VND, while the Mitsubishi Attrage also received a similar incentive of 100% registration fee support. The price war will continue to be a key factor in maintaining the appeal of B-segment sedans in the coming period.
