New Energy Vehicle Retail Penetration Exceeds 60% for First Time in April; A00 Segment Plummets

In April, the retail penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) reached 61.4%, surpassing the 60% mark for the first time. Meanwhile, the A00-segment NEV market continued to shrink, with wholesale sales totaling 70,000 units in April—a 55% year-over-year decline. From January to April, cumulative sales in this segment amounted to 76,000 units, down 68.5% year-over-year. Data shows that NEV passenger car sales from January to April were primarily concentrated in B-segment models and the price range of RMB 100,000–150,000, while both A00- and A-segment models saw declining sales. Chen Shihua, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), noted that A00-segment vehicles have been significantly impacted by recent policy adjustments. The nearly 70% drop in their sales has contributed approximately 40% to the overall slowdown in NEV growth. These policy changes include shifting the NEV purchase tax exemption to a 50% reduction starting in 2026, as well as implementing tiered standards for the "trade-in-for-new" subsidy program. Additionally, NEV passenger car exports reached 406,000 units in April, surging 111.8% year-over-year. Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the Passenger Car Association of China (CPCA), recommended promoting the development of affordable pure electric vehicles like those in the A00 segment and addressing industry pain points through unified standards to drive industrial upgrading.