Light passenger vehicle sales in China fell by 2.6% to 1.58m units in May 2021 from 1.62m units a year earlier, based on retail sales data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

The data included sales of passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, MPVs and crossover vehicles.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Local analysts believe underlying demand remains strong in the country and blamed last month’s moderate decline on continued shortages of semiconductors which affected output among some key automakers.

Earlier this month the Guangdong and Hainan provincial governments announced increases in new vehicle licence plate quotas and began offering new subsidies for electric car purchases, according to local reports.

The vehicle market has already recovered to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a strong economic rebound which started in the second quarter of 2020. GDP surged by over 18% year-on-year in the first quarter after shrinking by 6.8% a year earlier, during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, with strong domestic and overseas demand driving a sharp rebound in industrial output.

The World Bank in April said it expects economic growth to exceed 8% in 2021.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now