Auto Exports Maintain Strong Growth, Year-to-Date Production and Sales Decline Narrows

According to the latest statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in April 2026, China's automobile production and sales reached 2.575 million units and 2.526 million units respectively, declining 11.7% and 12.9% month-on-month, and 1.7% and 2.5% year-on-year. For the first four months of the year, the cumulative production and sales of automobiles reached 9.614 million units and 9.574 million units respectively, declining 5.5% and 4.8% year-on-year, with the decline narrowing further compared to the first quarter.

Image source: CAAM

In April, passenger vehicle production and sales were 2.197 million and 2.129 million units, a 10.2% and 11.7% monthly decrease, and a 2.6% and 4.2% yearly decrease. The cumulative production and sales from January to April were 8.105 million and 8.063 million units, a 7.5% and 6.7% yearly decrease.

Commercial vehicle performance outpaced the overall market. In April, commercial vehicle production and sales reached 378,000 and 397,000 units, respectively, down 19.7% and 18.5% month-on-month, but up 4.4% and 8.1% year-on-year. From January to April, cumulative production and sales totaled 1,508,000 and 1,511,000 units, respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 7.0% and 6.5%.

In April, new energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales reached 1.32 million and 1.344 million units, respectively, up 7.2% and 7.4% month-over-month and 5.5% and 9.7% year-over-year. The NEV penetration rate for the month reached 53.2%. Specifically, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales totaled 905,000 units, an increase of 10.2% year-over-year, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales reached 439,000 units, up 8.8% year-over-year.

From January to April, the cumulative production and sales of new energy vehicles reached 4.285 million and 4.304 million units, respectively. Production decreased by 3.2% year-over-year, while sales increased slightly by 0.1%. The penetration rate was 45%.

Exports continue to grow at a high rate, with 901,000 vehicles exported in April, a 3.0% increase from the previous month and a 74.4% increase year-on-year. Among these, 796,000 were passenger vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 84.6%; 106,000 were commercial vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 23.5%. New energy vehicle exports reached 430,000, a 110% increase year-on-year. From January to April, a total of 3.127 million vehicles were exported, a 61.5% increase year-on-year.

Compared with overseas markets, the domestic market is under significant pressure. Data shows that the domestic car sales in April reached 1.625 million units, a 19.7% monthly decrease and a 21.6% yearly decline. Among them, domestic sales of traditional fuel vehicles reached 710,000 units, a 32.2% year-on-year decline. The cumulative domestic sales from January to April reached 6.447 million units, a 20.6% year-on-year decline.