An SAIC MG4 on display at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026. Credit: CnEVPost
- China’s production of conventional fuel light vehicles fell 56% year on year to 159,000 units in the first 2 weeks of July.
- NEV wholesale penetration reached 69.1% during July 1-12.
China’s retail sales of passenger new energy vehicles (NEVs) fell year on year in the first 2 weeks of July, though they continued to outperform the broader auto market.
Retail sales of passenger NEVs in China totaled 280,000 units during July 1-12, down 8% year on year and down 3% from the same period last month, according to data released Wednesday by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
Year to date, China’s cumulative retail sales of passenger NEVs totaled 4.984 million units, down 14% year on year.
NEV retail penetration came in at 63.1% in the first 2 weeks of July, remaining above the 60% level. The resilience in penetration was largely due to the accelerating contraction of the gasoline-car market.
In the first 2 weeks of July, China’s production of conventional fuel light vehicles totaled 159,000 units, down 56% year on year and down 17% from the same period last month. Production of hybrids and plug-in hybrids totaled 145,000 units during the same period, down 9% year on year but up 7% from the same period last month.
China’s passenger vehicle makers sold 262,000 NEVs at wholesale during July 1-12, down 9% year on year and down 15% from the same period last month.
NEV wholesale penetration reached 69.1% during July 1-12.
Year to date, cumulative wholesale sales of NEVs totaled 7.05 million units, up 4% year on year.
The broader auto market showed clear signs of the traditional slow season. Retail sales of passenger vehicles in China totaled 443,000 units during July 1-12, down 15% year on year and down 1% from the same period last month.
Year to date, China’s cumulative retail sales of passenger vehicles totaled 9.144 million units, down 20% year on year.
In the first week of July, from July 1-5, average daily retail sales of passenger vehicles in China were 33,894 units, down 15% year on year but up 4% from the same period in June.
In the second week of July, from July 6-12, average daily retail sales of passenger vehicles in China were 39,045 units, down 16% year on year and down 4% from the same period in June.
The CPCA said July retail sales were in a traditional slow season, with overall consumer demand remaining weak. The World Cup, combined with hot summer weather, led to a sharp drop in offline showroom traffic, while the lack of holiday-driven consumption support left consumers in a strong wait-and-see mood.
NEVs, supported by product upgrades, policy benefits and value-for-money advantages, showed significantly stronger market resilience than gasoline vehicles, continuing to offset the sharp decline in gasoline-car retail sales.
Wholesale sales by China’s passenger-vehicle makers totaled 379,000 units during July 1-12, down 26% year on year and down 17% from the same period last month.
During July 1-5, average daily wholesale sales of passenger vehicles in China were 25,238 units, down 35% year on year and down 13% from the same period last month.
During July 6-12, average daily wholesale sales of passenger vehicles in China were 36,035 units, down 20% year on year and down 19% from the same period last month.
Year to date, China’s cumulative wholesale sales of passenger vehicles totaled 12.926 million units, down 6% year on year.
The CPCA said weak wholesale sales were due to automakers’ June half-year sales push, which pulled forward demand, as well as a high industry base in the same period last year.
In addition, elevated channel inventories put pressure on dealers’ cash flow, dampening their willingness to restock. Most brands chose to control production and reduce output.
Nio’s retail sales jumped 62.6% year-on-year in June, ranking 8th in China’s NEV market.
