Latest News Stream - Total Vehicle Sales

Total vehicle sales in South Africa grew by 10.4% year-on-year to 61,890 units in October 2026, the highest figure for the moth since 2006, reflecting continued momentum in the domestic automotive market. Light commercial vehicle sales rose by 2.2% to 13,689 units, while heavy commercial vehicle and bus sales recorded stronger growth of 8.1% to 2,347 units. In contrast, medium commercial vehicle sales edged down by 0.9% to 770 units. Vehicle exports also increased by 6.3%, supported by improved performance in the light and extra-heavy commercial vehicle segments. The automotive industry body, Naamsa, also highlighted continued growth in South Africa’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market, suggesting rising consumer adoption. Cumulative NEV sales reached 22,389 units in the first nine months of 2026, already surpassing the full-year 2025 total of 16,703 units by 34.0%.

Thailand’s domestic vehicle sales rose 14.28% year-on-year to a five-month low of 55,254 units in September 2026, easing from 25.59% in the previous month, according to data from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Still, it marked the seventh straight month of growth, highlighting the continued recovery in domestic demand. Meanwhile, vehicle production declined 6.08% year-on-year to 120,319 units, reversing a 10.93% increase in August. For the full year, car production is expected to reach 1.45 million units in 2026. Thailand, Southeast Asia’s largest automotive production hub, also recorded a 4.55% increase in vehicle exports, rebounding from a 2.04% decline in the previous month.

Passenger vehicle sales in India surged 23.3% year-on-year in September 2026, slowing from a 33.2% jump in the previous month, to 385,764 units, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The continued sharp increase in September was supported by resilient rural and urban demand, healthy freight movement, infrastructure-led economic activity, and a gradual replacement cycle across vehicle segments, although growth eased from August. “The industry looks forward to the festive season for continued momentum while remaining cautiously optimistic due to prevailing geo-economic uncertainties. Continued investments in infrastructure, sustained economic growth, and rising adoption of cleaner and more efficient mobility solutions are expected to support industry growth through the second half of 2026–27,” Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM, said.

Thailand's domestic vehicle sales surged 25.59% year-on-year to 59,808 units in August 2026, accelerating from a 20.07% increase in July, according to data from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The strong performance marked the sixth consecutive month of growth, highlighting the continued recovery in domestic demand. Vehicle production rose 10.93% from a year earlier to 124,646 units, following a 6.12% gain in July. The government recently announced plans to reduce excise tax rates for automakers that establish production facilities in Thailand, a move aimed at boosting local manufacturing and increasing the use of domestically sourced parts and raw materials. Still, the FTI continues to project a 3.33% decline in total vehicle production for 2026, citing weaker export demand amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. Reflecting these challenges, Thailand's vehicle exports fell 2.04% year-on-year in August, reversing a 2.39% increase recorded in the previous month.

Passenger vehicle sales in India soared 33.2% year-on-year in August 2026, accelerating from a 31.2% jump in the previous month to 374,056 units, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The number of car sales recorded the highest-ever sales for August 2026, due to a lower base in the previous year and strong demand. The sharp increase was boosted by strong consumer confidence, resilient rural markets, improving financing conditions, and accelerating adoption of alternative drivetrains, creating a favorable ecosystem across vehicle categories. “Festive demand is also expected to provide an additional boost, resulting in healthy Q2 numbers,” Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM, said.

China's total vehicle sales dropped 5.1% from a year earlier to 2.712 million units in August 2026, following a 0.3% decline in the previous month, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). New energy vehicle (NEV) sales rose 17.8% year-on-year to 1.643 million units in August, following a 23.7% jump in July, with NEVs accounting for 60.6% of total vehicle sales, the second straight month in which the share exceeded 60%. For the first eight months of the year, total vehicle sales fell 3.8% year-on-year, compared with a 12.6% increase in the same period last year, while NEV sales grew 10.7% to 10.65 million units. During the period, NEV sales surpassed 50% of total new vehicle sales for the second consecutive month, accounting for 52.4%. Meanwhile, on a monthly basis, total car sales rose 4.9%. Last year, China's vehicle sales grew 9.4% to a record high of 34.4 million units, accelerating from a 4.5% rise in 2024, while NEV sales jumped 28.2%.

Spain’s new passenger car registrations rose 11.8% year-on-year to 68,544 units in August 2026, marking the strongest August since 2019. Sales returned to growth despite the holiday period, supported by strong demand for electrified vehicles, which accounted for more than a quarter of the market. Rental registrations posted the strongest growth, rising 32% to 2,268 units, followed by business sales, which increased 13.1% to 27,167 units. Private registrations rose 9.9% to 39,109 units. Year to date, 818,201 new passenger cars have been registered, up 6.3% from a year earlier. Electrified vehicle registrations, including BEVs and PHEVs, jumped 27% in August to 18,967 units, giving them a 27.7% market share. So far this year, 185,340 electrified vehicles have been sold, up 34.1% year-on-year and accounting for 22.6% of total registrations.

Thailand’s domestic car sales surged 20.07% year-on-year to 59,198 units in July 2026, accelerating from a 17.26% increase in June, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The gain marked the fifth consecutive month of growth, underscoring a continued recovery in domestic demand. Vehicle production rose 6.12% from a year earlier to 117,383 units, rebounding from a 7.55% decline in the previous month. Despite the improvement, the FTI lowered its 2026 vehicle production forecast to 1.45 million units from 1.50 million, citing weaker export performance in the first half of the year. The industry group attributed the downward revision to persistent global headwinds, including lingering Middle East-related disruptions, ongoing trade barriers, intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, and tighter emissions regulations in key export markets. Meanwhile, Thailand's exports increased 2.39% year-on-year in July after falling 7.45% in the previous month.

Passenger vehicle sales in India surged 31.2% year-on-year in July 2026, accelerating sharply from an 18.2% rise in the previous month to 395,199 units, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The strong performance was attributed to supportive domestic demand, aided by lower Goods and Services Tax rates and the introduction of new models. “India’s auto industry delivered its strongest-ever July sales, with robust double-digit growth across passenger vehicles. This positive momentum, sustained over several months, has continued as the industry enters the festive season with expectations of strong consumer sentiment,” Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM, said.

Thailand’s domestic car sales climbed 17.3% year-on-year to a five-month high of 61,244 units in June 2026, accelerating from 10.6% in the previous month, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). It marked the fourth consecutive month of growth. Meanwhile, car production fell 7.6% from a year earlier to 120,391 units, easing from an 11.4% drop in May. The government is reviewing a 24 billion baht ($714 million) scheme to replace up to 80,000 ageing transport vehicles with EVs and is considering expanding incentives to cover all EV purchases, aiming to support the energy transition and revive the auto sector. Looking ahead, the FTI expects vehicle output to rise 3% to 1.5 million units in 2026 after slipping 0.9% to 1.455 million units last year. Thailand's exports surged 20.8% year-on-year in June, with shipments to the US, its largest export market, jumping 44.3%, while exports to China rose 4.9%.

Passenger vehicle sales in India increased 18.2% year-on-year in June 2026, slowing from a 25.3% surge in the previous month to 326,068 units, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The strong performance was attributed to supportive domestic demand, aided by lower Goods and Services Tax rates, softer financing costs, and the introduction of new models, though growth eased compared to May. However, the industry continues to closely monitor geopolitical developments and the progress of the monsoon, given their implications for agricultural output and rural demand. In May, SIAM stated that the positive momentum seen in the second half of FY 2025–26 continued into the first month of FY 2026–27.

China's total vehicle sales dropped 3.2% year-on-year to 2.81 million units in June 2026, following a 2.1% decline in the previous month, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). New energy vehicle (NEV) sales surged 23.6% year-on-year to 1.643 million units in June, accelerating from 14.4% growth in May, with NEVs accounting for 58.5% of total vehicle sales. For the first half of the year, vehicle sales fell 4.1% year-on-year, compared with an 11.4% increase in the same period last year, while NEV sales advanced 7.3% to 7.438 million units. During the period, NEV sales accounted for 49.6% of total new vehicle sales. However, on a monthly basis, car sales grew by 6.9%. Last year, China's vehicle sales increased 9.4% year-on-year to a record high of 34.4 million units, accelerating from a 4.5% rise in 2024, while NEV sales jumped 28.2%.

Thailand’s domestic car sales surged 10.6% year-on-year to 57,765 in May 2026, accelerating sharply from 2.54% growth in the previous month, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). It was the third consecutive month of growth, boosted by sales of electric vehicles. Meanwhile, vehicle production plunged 17.94% from a year earlier to 114,214 units, largely due to disruptions in export markets stemming from the Middle East conflict. For the first five months of the year, production fell 1.13% from a year earlier to 587.759 units. However, the FTI maintained its 2026 production forecast, projecting total vehicle output to grow by 3.0% to 1.5 million units this year, after a 0.9% decline to 1.455 million units in 2025.

Passenger vehicle sales in India grew 25.3% year-on-year in May 2026, accelerating sharply from a 2.5% rise in the previous month to 379,764 units. It was the highest-ever sales figure for May, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). The surge in car sales was boosted by a low base effect from May last year and stronger demand driven by reduced Goods and Services Tax rates as well as easier financing. Last month, SIAM stated that the positive momentum seen in the second half of FY 2025–26 continued into the first month of FY 2026–27.

China’s total vehicle sales fell 2.1% year-on-year to 2.6299 million units in May 2026, following a 2.5% decline in the previous month, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). New energy vehicle (NEV) sales rose 14.4% year-on-year to 1.496 million units in May, accelerating from 9.7% growth in April, with NEVs accounting for 56.9% of total vehicle sales. Meanwhile, domestic sales plunged 20.4% year-on-year in May. In contrast, vehicle exports surged 68.7%, serving as a key driver of the sector, which has increasingly relied on overseas shipments to offset weakness in the domestic market. "Stabilizing domestic demand this year should be regarded as a very important task for the automotive industry," said Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the CAAM, as Reuters reported. Last year, China’s vehicle sales increased 9.4% year-on-year to a record high of 34.4 million units, up from a 4.5% increase in 2024, while NEV sales surged 28.2%.

Spain’s new car sales fell 0.8% year-on-year to 111,894 units in May 2026, driven by a 10% drop in rental channel sales after Easter stockpiling and summer season preparations. However, private and business sales rose by 4.5% and 0.9%, respectively. Electric vehicles (BEVs and PHEVs) continued their strong growth, with sales jumping 18% to 25,790 units, accounting for 23.1% of the market. Year-to-date, total vehicle sales reached 519,531 units, a 5.9% increase from 2025, while EV sales soared 43.6% to 111,380 units, representing 21.4% of the market, 6 percentage points above the 2025 target.

Thailand’s domestic car sales increased by 2.54% year-on-year to 48,392 units in April 2026, easing from 7.29% in the previous month, according to Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Despite the deceleration, April marked the second consecutive month of growth, supported in part by bookings generated at the Bangkok International Motor Show, which attracted orders totaling 48,394 units. Meanwhile, vehicle production slipped 0.44% from a year earlier to a near six-year low of 103,794 units, largely attributed to disruptions in export markets stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has driven up global energy prices and complicated shipping and logistics conditions. Nevertheless, the FTI maintained its 2026 production forecast, projecting total vehicle output to rise by 3% to 1.5 million units this year, following a 0.9% decline to 1.455 million units in 2025. External demand remained subdued, as vehicle exports fell 8.43% year-on-year to 60,190 units in April.

Passenger vehicle sales in India increased 2.5% year-on-year in April 2026, slowing sharply from 14.1% growth in the previous month to 378,312 units. It was the highest-ever sales figure for April, although growth eased compared with March, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). SIAM stated that the positive momentum seen in the second half of FY 2025–26 continued into the first month of FY 2026–27. “Though there are concerns over high commodity prices stemming from disruptions in West Asia, the industry has been witnessing healthy demand,” said Rajesh Menon.