Retail sales of light passenger vehicles in China, including sedans, MPVs, and SUVs, declined by over 20% year-on-year to 1.461 million units in July 2026, after rising by 6% to 1.834 million units in the same month last year, according to data compiled by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
Retail sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles plunged by 41% to 510,000 units last month, while sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) declined by 4% to 951,000 units. The NEV decline included a 6% decline in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales to 647,000 units, a 21% fall in plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales to 219,000 units, and a 16% drop in extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) sales to 85,000 units.
China’s domestic light passenger vehicle market has declined sharply this year, with sales in the first seven months of the year falling by 20% to 10.173 million units after rising by 10% to 12.736 million units in the same period last year. All major segments declined, including NEV sales which fell by 16% to 5.665 million units following the withdrawal of some government subsidies and tax exemptions.
Economic growth in China slowed sharply in the second quarter of 2026, to 4.3% year-on-year from 5.0% in the first quarter, with growth driven mainly by strong exports while household spending weakened. Measures introduced by the central government to boost consumer spending have been offset by rising fuel and energy prices as a result of the war in the Middle East.
Passenger vehicle exports surged by 88% to 923,000 units in July, driven by a 148% surge in shipments of NEVs to 540,000 units, while total passenger vehicle exports increased by 72% to 6.019 million units in the first seven months of the year.
Earlier this year, the Chinese government confirmed that it will continue its vehicle trade-in subsidy programme until the end of 2026, as part of its broader policy of boosting domestic consumption, but has reduced its NEV purchase tax incentive from a full exemption to a 50% discount. GlobalData is forecasting a 12% decline in light vehicle sales to 23.5 million units in 2026, down from 26.9 million units in 2025.
