photo HiTech.Expert
In the spring of 2026, the Chinese passenger car market showed a decline in sales, equaling the previous fate, but at the same time setting a new record for the penetration of electric vehicles.
Zagalni market displays.
According to the Association of Automobile Manufacturers (? ), in the spring of 2026, sales of passenger cars totaled 1.618 million units, which is 28.0% less than in the spring of 2025. In this case, based on the 2026 term, an increase of 5.0% was expected. Over the first nine months of 2026, 13.334 million cars were sold, which is 21.7% less than during the same period last year..
Key trends for spring 2026.
Significant decline in sales: The decline in sales, having recognized a significant decline, was equalized with the past fate, although we were careful not to update it on a monthly basis. The market is demonstrating strong structural differentiation, with vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) rapidly gaining ground, while electric vehicles are demonstrating sustained growth. High residential prices will accelerate the transition from DVZ to electric vehicles.
Fall in sales of cars from DVZ: Sales of cars from DVZ fell by almost half. Gasoline cars showed the greatest decline, while hybrid models were more resistant. The analysis shows that, regardless of the segment (Chinese, traditional luxury brands, luxury), cars from DVZ experienced a strong blow due to high prices on the panel.
New record for electric vehicles: Electric vehicle penetration has reached a new historical high. In the spring of 2026, the share of electric vehicles in retail sales accounted for 67.0%, and wholesale sales – 65.4%. Regardless of the situation, the rate of growth has been equalized with the previous periods.
Export as a disruptive force: For large auto manufacturers, export has become a key factor in boosting sales and profits. The share of exports for active companies exceeded 50%, and for manufacturers, exports became 70% as a general obligation, becoming the main driver of growth.
Low inventories: Automobile inventories remain low. Dealers will carefully replenish stocks, and the effect of the traditional seasonal surge in sales of “Zolota Autumn” will be less pronounced, less pronounced. Dealers sense the significant pressure and marriage defects. However, the current decline in the market is seen as a temporary phenomenon, caused by political factors and the high base of the past, and not as a sign of the approach to a boom in the market. Significant potential for growth in the markets of small places and rural areas is identified, which is subject to weak dynamics of car penetration.
Detailed analysis of segments.
In the spring of 2026, cross-border car sales from diesel engines fell by 43%, equal to the previous year, with gasoline cars showing a decrease of 49%, and hybrids an increase of 25%.. Chinese brands in this segment fell by 47%, strong brands – by 42%, and luxury brands – by 41%, which indicates a uniform influx of high prices on the market.
Sales of new energy vehicles (NEV) fell by 16.7% in the spring of 2026, level with the previous year. Chinese brands fell by 19%, while luxury brands showed an increase of 36%, and luxury brands decreased by 8%. Compact electric cars of domestic brands (A00) have suffered a significant decline due to the government's unfriendly subsidy policy.
In the spring of 2026, Vietnamese brands sold 1.13 million cars, which is 25% less than before, and 5% more than before.. The share of ham brands in the domestic market accounted for 69.8%, which is 2.8 percentage points more, lower than the previous growth. In general, Vietnamese brands showed remarkably stable dynamics in the electric vehicle market and exports.
Traditional family brands sold 310 thousand cars, which is 36% less than last year, and 2% more than last year.. The share of German brands fell to 12.2% (change by 2.0 p.p.. ), Japanese - up to 10.7% (change by 0.9 p.. ), and American ones - grew to 6.3% (increase by 0.5 p.. Car manufacturers with multiple brands, which showed low sales, began to revive their activity.
Luxury brands sold 170 thousand cars, which is 29% less than last year, and 12% more than last year.. Some luxury brands contributed 11%, which is less by 0.2 p.. less, lower in the first place, always more than a reasonable adjustment of recommended separate prices.
Leadership in electric vehicle sales.
In the spring of 2026, over 20,000 unit sales of new energy passenger vehicles demonstrated the advancing brand:.
BYD Auto: 246,816 units.
Geely Auto: 119,682 units.
Leapmotor: 78,202 units.
Tesla China: 64,837 units.
Changan Auto: 61,732 units.
SAIC-GM-Wuling: 54,810 units.
Chery Auto: 46,860 units.
SAIC Passenger Vehicle: 40,280 units.
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Xiaomi Auto: 40,015 units.
Harmony Intelligence: 37,490 units.
NIO: 37,231 units.
Great Wall Motor: 32,048 units.
Li Auto: 31,817 units.
Xpeng: 30,599 units.
GAC Aion: 24,539 units.
Dongfeng Auto: 20,070 units.
Polestones: 20,021 units.
Dzherelo: https://www.ithome.com/1/011/869.htmCar market: decline in sales, and a new record for electric cars, read on the HiTech website. Expert.