Auto Imports Drop 28.9% in March 2026, but Q1 Total Rises 2.6% to 97,000 Units

According to data compiled by the General Administration of Customs, in March 2026, China imported 28,000 complete vehicles, down 12.6% month-over-month and 28.9% year-over-year. The import value amounted to USD 1.17 billion (approximately RMB 8.003 billion), a decrease of 20.7% month-over-month and 39.6% year-over-year. From January to March 2026, cumulative imports of complete vehicles totaled 97,000 units, up 2.6% year-over-year, while the total import value reached USD 4.44 billion (approximately RMB 30.369 billion), down 10.4% year-over-year. Additionally, data shows that in the full year of 2025, China imported 476,000 complete vehicles, a year-over-year decline of 32.4%, with an import value of USD 23.64 billion (approximately RMB 161.695 billion), down 39.7% year-over-year.