China's Auto Imports Rise 3% YoY in Q1 2026

From January to March 2026, China imported 100,000 vehicles, a 3% year-on-year increase. This growth was primarily driven by a low base in January 2025. Although vehicle imports in March 2026 dropped significantly due to shipping disruptions caused by the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, the overall first-quarter figure still posted year-on-year growth—an uncommon positive performance for the same period in recent years. Previously, auto imports had declined year-on-year for three consecutive years, pressured by the rise of domestic Chinese automakers and accelerated localization efforts by international brands. Excluding short-term fluctuations, imports have shown a downward trend for eight consecutive years.