China Car Sales Rise 3.4% in November

China’s total vehicle sales dropped 3.2% year-on-year to an eleven-month low of 2.346 million units in January 2026, after a 6.2% fall in December 2025, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). New energy vehicle (NEV) sales edged up 0.1% yoy to 945 thousand units, marking the eleventh consecutive monthly increase but below the 1 million mark for the first time since March 2025. Sales at home dropped 19.5% yoy to 1.4 million units, the steepest fall since February 2024. Monthly, total car sales plunged 28.30% in January, following a 4.6% drop recorded in December. Last month, CAAM projected China’s overall passenger vehicle sales would rise 1% year-on-year to reach 34.75 million units in 2026. NEV sales are projected to reach 19 million units in 2026, climbing 15.2% year-on-year. In 2025, China’s vehicle sales grew 9.4% year-on-year to a record high of 34.4 million units, accelerating from 4.5% in the previous year, with NEV sales surging 28.2%.

China’s vehicle sales grew 9.4% year-on-year to a record high of 34.4 million units in 2025, accelerating from 4.5% in the previous year, with new energy vehicle (NEV) sales surging 28.2%, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). The figure surpassed the government’s target for 2025. Last October, eight government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, set a target of approximately 32.3 million vehicle sales for 2025, up around 3% yoy, with NEV sales expected to reach 15.5 million units, a projected 20% yoy increase. In December alone, vehicle sales fell 6.2% yoy to 3.273 million units, reversing a 3.4% rise in November. NEV sales rose 7.2% yoy, marking the tenth consecutive monthly increase. For this year, car sales are set to grow 1%, while NEV sales are expected to slow by 15.2%, and exports are likely to rise 4.3%. Monthly, total car sales fell 4.6% in December, reversing a 3.2% gain recorded in November.

China’s vehicle sales increased 3.4% year-on-year to an 11-month high of 3.429 million units in November 2025, following an 8.8% rise in October, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). New energy vehicles (NEVs) soared 20.6% year-on-year to a new record of 1.823 million units in November, marking the ninth consecutive monthly increase. In the first eleven months of 2025, total vehicle sales grew 11.4% to nearly 31.13 million units, with NEV sales surging 31.2% to 14.78 million units. In October, eight government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, set a target of approximately 32.3 million vehicle sales for 2025, up around 3% year-on-year, with NEV sales expected to reach 15.5 million units, a projected 20% year-on-year increase. On a monthly basis, total car sales climbed 3.2% in November, slightly accelerating from a 3% growth recorded in October.