The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) reports that wholesale sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China reached an estimated 1.67 million units in September 2026. This figure represents a 12% increase compared to the same period last year and an 11% rise from August, marking the highest monthly volume for the current year.
For the first nine months of 2026, total passenger NEV wholesale sales reached approximately 11.42 million units, reflecting a 10% year-on-year growth. Despite this wholesale performance, domestic retail sales for the period from September 1 to 27 declined by 20% year-on-year, totaling 827,000 units.
The CPCA attributes the strong wholesale growth to increased exports, driven by sustained high oil prices in overseas markets. Conversely, the domestic retail sector faced challenges due to a high comparison base from the previous year and production disruptions caused by the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.
BYD, Geely Auto, Chery, Leapmotor, and Changan Automobile emerged as the top five manufacturers by passenger NEV wholesale volume in September. All five companies reported growth in both year-on-year and month-on-month metrics, highlighting the ongoing variance in performance across different market players.
