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 in the previous year. Since peaking at 1.43 million units in 2014, China’s auto imports have generally followed a downward trend. Imports briefly stabilized in 2016–2017 but have been in continuous decline since 2018. In 2024, total annual imports stood at 700,000 units, a 12% year-on-year drop; in 2025, they further declined to 480,000 units, with the year-on-year decrease widening to 32%. Although imports in the first five months of 2026 remained on a downward trajectory, the pace of decline has moderated. In May 2026, the top five countries of origin for imported vehicles were Japan (19,018 units), Germany (9,935 units), Slovakia (2,889 units), the United States (2,770 units), and the United Kingdom (2,063 units). Against the backdrop of persistently shrinking import volumes, the luxury car segment has shown divergent performance: Lexus maintained its position as the best-selling imported luxury brand, while some ultra-luxury brands experienced significant fluctuations, reflecting mounting pressure across the industry.