China Auto Sales Dip Slightly YoY in May 2026; NEVs Up 14.4%, Exports Surge 68.7%

In May 2026, China produced and sold 2.616 million and 2.629 million vehicles, respectively, representing month-on-month increases of 1.6% and 4.1%, but year-on-year declines of 1.2% and 2.1%. From January to May, cumulative production and sales totaled 12.235 million and 12.207 million units, down 4.6% and 4.2% year-on-year, respectively. For passenger vehicles, May production and sales reached 2.241 million and 2.253 million units, up 2.0% and 5.8% month-on-month but down 3.1% and 4.2% year-on-year. Cumulative production and sales from January to May amounted to 10.349 million and 10.318 million units, declining 6.6% and 6.2% year-on-year, respectively. Commercial vehicle production and sales in May stood at 375,000 and 376,000 units, down 0.8% and 5.1% month-on-month but up 11.8% and 12.5% year-on-year. From January to May, cumulative production and sales totaled 1.886 million and 1.888 million units, rising 8.0% and 7.7% year-on-year, respectively. New energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales in May reached 1.554 million and 1.496 million units, up 22.4% and 14.4% year-on-year. Cumulative NEV production and sales from January to May totaled 5.841 million and 5.802 million units, increasing 2.5% and 3.5% year-on-year, respectively. Domestic market sales in May totaled 1.7 million units, up 4.6% month-on-month but down 20.4% year-on-year. Cumulative domestic sales from January to May reached 8.147 million units, a 20.6% year-on-year decline. Automobile exports in May reached 930,000 units, up 3.1% month-on-month and 68.7% year-on-year. Cumulative exports from January to May totaled 4.059 million units, an increase of 63% year-on-year.