In 2020, a total of 20,267 units (a drop from 21,852 units in 2019) of C-segment SUVs were sold in Thailand but in a remarkable twist, taking the top spot for the year was the MG HS. The British-Chinese C-SUV successfully took the top spot from 2019’s leader, the Honda CR-V.

According to data obtained from Headlight Magazine, MG Thailand has sold a total of 6,008 units of the HS in 2020, capturing 29.6% of market share.

Even though Honda launched a facelifted version of the CR-V in the Land of Smiles in July, it wasn’t enough to retake the top spot. Thai buyers were more attracted to the more affordable HS which was also better equipped.

However, the CR-V did outsell the HS for four months straight between August and November. Apart from those four months as well as the months of March and May, the HS remained in the top position in 2020.

So, which model has beaten the CR-V and HS in sales in March? Believe it or not, it was the Chevrolet Captiva which sold a whopping 1,402 units in March, the highest monthly figure recorded last year.

Chevrolet (and General Motors) announced that it was leaving the Thai market entirely by the end of 2020. As a result, many dealers offered steep discounts to clear away any remaining stock which saw the Captiva being listed as the best-selling SUV in March.

GM’s former plant in Rayong was sold off to Great Wall Motors (GWM) Thailand which made an announcement of its plans and model launches last week. It is of note that the Thai-spec Captiva also had Chinese origins as it was based on the Baojun 530/Wuling Almaz.

Meanwhile, the month of May saw the Nissan X-Trail taking the top spot in Thailand. Just like the Captiva, the X-Trail was being discontinued there and dealers were also offering big discounts, some as high as 50% off to clear out stock.

Will the MG HS maintain its top-spot in 2021? It will have another rival that also promises similar affordability in GWM’s Haval H6. The Haval H6 is planned to debut in March at the Bangkok International Motor Show along with a few others from GWM Thailand’s line-up.