Top 10 Passenger Car Sales in May All-Electric for First Time; Gasoline Models Drop Off List

In May, all top ten models in the passenger vehicle retail sales rankings were new energy vehicles (NEVs), marking the first time that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles failed to make it into the top ten. That month, NEVs achieved a record-high retail penetration rate of 63%, while retail sales of ICE-powered passenger vehicles dropped by 39% year-on-year, with their market share falling to 37.1%. Domestic brands accounted for 80% of NEV sales, led by Geely’s Xingyuan, which topped the chart with 38,751 units sold, followed by the Tesla Model Y at second place with 28,911 units. The best-selling ICE model, Geely Boyue L, ranked 17th. NEVs have now closed previous gaps in pricing, driving range, and product coverage, and have established clear advantages in powertrain performance, intelligent cockpits, and user experience. While rising fuel prices have accelerated this market shift, the fundamental driver remains the enhanced competitiveness of NEVs.