China's Auto Imports Drop 19% Year-on-Year in May 2026, Marking Years of Decline

In May 2026, China imported 38,000 vehicles, a 19% year-on-year decline. From January to May 2026, cumulative vehicle imports totaled 160,000 units, down 11% compared to the same period last year. Although the import base in January 2025 was relatively low and shipments were disrupted due to the conflict between the United States and Iran, the overall decline remained relatively modest. In recent years, vehicle imports have remained sluggish amid the rise of domestic automakers and accelerated localization efforts by international brands, marking three consecutive years of negative growth. Excluding short-term fluctuations, imports have shown a downward trend for eight consecutive years.