Representing nearly 30% of global sales, the Chinese market is by far the largest in the World.

Over 1.000 models are sold in the country with a sales spread among several models and a low concentration among the top models, with the best-seller market share just above the 2%.

Looking at the passenger cars’ ranking up to October 2023, the BYD Qin Plus becomes the new leader, rising 6 spots with 355,017 new sales (+36.7%).

The Tesla Model Y jumps 3 spots into second reporting 346,462 sales and a 20.9% year-on-year increase in sales, followed by the BYD Song in 3rd place with 310,939 units sold (-10.1%).

Previous year’s leader Nissan Sylphy falls 3 spots into 4th with 290,782 sales (-25.9%), followed by the Volkswagen Lavida  with 278,110 (-6.8%), the Toyota Corolla with 269,863 sales (-0.5%) and the BYD Yuan Plus -up 21 spots- in 7th place with 248,285 sales (+96.0%)

The BYD Dolphin jumps 12 spots into 8th with 246,314 registrations (+61.2%), followed by the Volkswagen Sagitar up 6 spots in 9th with 220,450 units sold (+25.5%) and the Changan CS75  closing the Top 10 with 205,361 new sales (+8.7%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for the top 100 Models

Representing near 30% of global sales, the Chinese market is by far the largest in the World.

Over 1.000 models are actually on sales in the country with a sales spread among several models and a low concentration among the top models, with the best-seller market share just above the 2%.

Looking at the passenger cars’ ranking in 2022, the BYD SONG becomes the new leader, rising 17 spots with 459,424 total sales (+128.7%).

Not far behind in second ranks previous year’s leader, the Nissan Sylphy, with 446,492 sales and a 10.7% decrease from the prior year.

The Wuling Hongguang MINI EV  falls into 3rd place with 443,384 sales (+4.0%) losing one place from the previous year.

Gaining 15 spots, the Tesla Model Y jumps in 4th place with 368,385 sales (+84.1%), followed by the Volkswagen Lavida  with 361,734 (-8.1%), the Toyota Corolla with 343,689 (+6.8%) and the BYD Qin PLUS -up 20 spots- in 7th place with 308,368 sales (+81.6%)

The BYD Han rises 49 spots into 8th position with 273,221 registrations (+132.5%), while the Haval H6 falls 5 spots into 9th with 264,040 (-28.7%) and the Toyota Camry -up 4 spots- closes the Top 10 with 261,084 cumulative sales (+20.4%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for the top 100 Models

The Chinese new vehicles market is the largest in the World and is characterized by a very low concentration of sales in the top models. Indeed the top 10 model sales represent only 13.5% of the market, while the top 50 represent 41.7% and the top 100 62%.

In 2021 the Nissan Sylphy maintains the leadership it regained in September 2020 with 500,150 sales (2% market share), followed by the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV -up 57 spots-, which sold 426,484 units (1.7% share), followed by the Volkswagen Lavida with 393,496 units (1.6% share).

In fourth place there is the Haval H6 with 370,438 sales (1.5% share) followed by the Toyota Corolla -up 1 spot- with 321,912 units (1.3% share), the Wuling Mini Truck -down 4 spots- with 294,219 sales (1.2% share), the Changan CS75 -up 4 spots- with 281,862 (1.1% share), and the Tesla Model 3 -up 39 spots- with 272,975 units sold (1.1% share).

In ninth place, the Buick Excelle GT ended up with 263,017 sales (1.1% share), and in 10th place the Wuling Hongguang with 255,922 sales (1% share).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for the top 100 Models

Market Trend

The Chinese car market this year kept recovering effectively, but reported positive performance only in Q1, with the sharpest drop reported in Q3.

The market has slowed down since 2016, after having achieved 30% of global sales. The future evolution is clearly driven more by real solutions regarding the two main issues created by the last decade’s market boom: pollution, and traffic congestion.

The Chinese government has shifted its attention from total volume to engine mix and is progressively creating incentives for small and low emission vehicles while supporting investment in the AFVs, mainly electric. In this direction, in January 2017 it has been increased the duties for vehicles with engine displacements over 1.6 liters (from 5% to 7.5%). During 2017, sales have been 28.2 million, up 0.9%.

However, in 2018, new light-vehicle sales have progressively lost steam, following the deceleration of the domestic consumer demand. Indeed, The market interrupted the positive trend of recent years losing for the first time since the ’90s and closing 2018 with 27.5 million units sold (-3.7%). In 2019 the Full-year ended at 25.7 million, down 6.5% from the previous year

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic sales fell in  2020. In fact, 24,730,045 units have been sold, reporting a decline of 4.1% compared to 2019.

In 2021 the year started extremely positively for the Chinese market due to extremely low sales levels in Q1 2020, in fact, in Q1 6.03 million units have been sold, reporting a 61.7% increase in sales, while in Q2 sales remained almost flat, reporting a 1.3% decrease in sales with 6.12 million units.

In Q3 sales dropped quickly, losing 14.2% sales with 5.82 million units, and lost 5.5% in Q4 with 7.69 million sales.

Indeed, Full-Year sales for 2021 have been 25.65 million, reporting a 3.2% increase compared to 2020.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Volkswagen (-17.6%) lost 2% market share and registered the worst performance in the leaderboard, followed by Toyota (+4.5%), which gained 0.2% share. Wuling gained 1.5% share, increasing sales by 34.3%, reporting the best performance.  Honda fell in 4th place while losing 6.7%, followed by Changan which gained 10.1%.

Geely reached 6th place by losing 7.6%, followed by Nissan (-12.5%) -down 3 spots- and Buick which lost 10.5% sales. Closing the leaderboard we have BMW -up 2 spots- reporting the best performance in the leaderboard by gaining 6.7% and Mercedes -down 1 spot-, losing 3.4%.

The most sold vehicle this year has been the Nissan Sylphy (-7.8%) with 500,150 units sold, followed by the Wuling Mini Truck, which lost 1.5% registering 494,412 new sales this year. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV (+257.6%) closes the podium and reports 426,484 new units sold.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models.

The Chinese new vehicles market is the largest in the World and is characterized by a very low concentration of sales in the top models. Indeed the top 10 model sales represent only 15.1% of the market, while the top 50 represents 43.6% and the top 100 the 62.7%.

The best-seller in the period 2010-2015 was always a light commercial, the Wuling Hongguang, which is utilized both a minibus and eight-seat MPV. Since 2017 the leadership was in the hands of the Volkswagen Lavida, a compact sedan, which in 2019 reached a peak of 2.4% market share.

In 2020, the Nissan Sylphy obtained the leadership it regained in September with 542.725 sales (2.2% market share) by overtaking the Wuling Mini Truck, which sold 477.569 units (1.9% share), followed by the Volkswagen Lavida -dropping 2 spots compared to last year- with 419.793 units (1.7% share).

In fourth place the Foton Light Truck -up 3 spots- with 410.857 sales (1.7% share) followed by the Haval H6 -down 1 spot- with 376.864 (1.5% share), the Toyota Corolla with 350.310 (1.4% share), the Volkswagen Bora -up 1 spot- with 331.682 (1.3% share), and the Volkswagen Sagitar -up 1 spot- with 299.839 units sold (1.2% share).

In ninth place, the Buick Excelle GT -up 1 spot- ended up with 295.857 sales (1.2% share), and in 10th place the Wuling Hongguang -down 5 spots- with 270.310 (1.1% share).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for the top 100 Models

Market Trend

The Chinese car market has been hit slightly in 2020 despite the world-wide COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted sales everywhere in the world.

The market has slowed down since 2016, after having achieved 30% of global sales. The future evolution is clearly driven more by real solutions regarding the two main issues created by the last decade’s market boom: pollution, and traffic congestion.

The Chinese government has shifted its attention from total volume to engine mix and is progressively creating incentives for small and low emission vehicles while supporting investment in the AFVs, mainly electric. In this direction, in January 2017 it has been increased the duties for vehicles with engine displacements over 1.6 liters (from 5% to 7.5%). During 2017, sales have been 28.2 million, up 0.9%.

However, in 2018, new light-vehicle sales have progressively lost steam, following the deceleration of the domestic consumer demand. Indeed, The market interrupted the positive trend of recent years losing for the first time since the ’90s and closing 2018 with 27.5 million units sold (-3.7%). In 2019 the Full-year ended at 25.7 million, down 6.5% from the previous year

After starting the year negatively (-18.8%), the market quickly collapsed in February as the virus started spreading well before any other country. The sharpest drop in sales this year was in fact February when sales declined by 77.3% due to heavy restrictions. The market recovered quickly and started growing again in May (+6%).

The second half of the year has been entirely positive, in fact, every month reported positive sales, with July (+10.1%), October (+11.3%) and November (+13.5%) up in double-digits.

Indeed, Full-Year sales for 2020 have been 24.730.045, reporting a decline of 4.1% compared to 2019.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Volkswagen (-16.2%) lost 1.5% market share and registered the worst performance in the leaderboard, followed by Honda (+4.7%), which gained 0.6% share. Toyota gained 0.7% share, increasing sales by 7.7%.  Nissan reached 4th place while losing 4.1%, followed by ChangAn -up 1 spot- which gained 4.4%.

Geely fell in 6th place by losing 6.8%, followed by Wuling (+7.9%) and Buick which gained 7% sales. Closing the leaderboard we have Mercedes -up 2 spots- reporting the best performance in the leaderboard by gaining 10% and Dongfeng -down 1 spot-, losing 7.4%.

The most sold vehicle this year has been the Nissan Sylphy (+15.2%) with 542.725 units sold and jumped 1 spot, followed by the Wuling Mini Truck, which gained 14.2% registering 477.569 new sales this year. The Volkswagen Lavida (-21.3%) closes the podium by falling 2 spots and reports 419.793 new units sold.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models.

The Chinese new vehicles market is the largest in the World and is characterized by a very low concentration of sales in the top models. Indeed the top 10 models sales represent only the 14.4% of the market, while the top 50 represent the 43.5% and the top 100 the 66%.

The best-seller in the period 2010-2015 was always a light commercial, the Wuling Hongguang, which is utilized both a minibus and eight seats MPV. Since the 2017 the leadership if under the Volkswagen Lavida, a compact sedan, which in 2019 reached a peak of 2.4% market share.

In second place again a sedan, the Nissan Sylphy, which after booming in 2018, it kept the 2.1% of market share.

In third the best SUV, the Haval H6, which was the market leader in the 2016 and now is quite aged, while offered at a very competitive price. In 2019 the H6 declined in double-digit, falling at 1.7% of share.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for the top 100 Models

Economic Environment

Chinese economic growth momentum remains weak. Industrial production was subdued in October, as the trade war with the U.S eroded manufacturing activities. This trend is expected to continue in the coming months as corroborated by a new drop in exports in November.

Moreover, mounting economic uncertainty is postponing investment plans, especially among foreign firms.

Meanwhile, on 13 December, President Trump agreed to a limited trade deal with China, effectively barring a fresh round of tariffs due on 15 December. As part of the deal, U.S. officials stated that China will purchase more U.S. agricultural products, while the U.S. will remove some existing tariffs in return.

Market Trend

Chinese domestic vehicles market has reduced the growing speed since 2016, after having achieved the 30% of global sales. The future evolution is clearly driven more by real solution regarding the two main issues created by the last decade market boom, pollution and traffic congestion.

Chinese government has shifted its attention from total volume to engine mix and is progressively creating incentives to small and low emission vehicles, while supporting investment in the AFVs, mainly electric. In this direction, in January 2017 it has been increased the duties for vehicles with engines displacements over 1.6 liter (from 5% to 7.5%). During the 2017, sales have been 28.2 million, up 0.9%.

The Chinese government announced on 22 May 2018 that the customs duty for CBUs had to be reduced from 25% or 20% to 15% from 1 July 2018, and that the duty for auto parts were being cut simultaneously to 6%. This adjustment means that Passenger Vehicles (PVs) had been taxed at 15% since last July, instead of the previous 25%.

However, in the 2018, new light vehicles sales (including both domestic produced and import) have progressively lost steam, following the deceleration of the domestic consumer demand. Indeed, The market interrupted the positive trend of recent years losing for the first time since ’90s and closing the 2018 with 27.5 million units sold (-3.7%).

In 2019, according to the data released by the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the market worsened. Indeed, the Full-year ended at 25.5 million, down 7.2% from the previous year.

In the competitive arena, Volkswagen held the crown with 12.2% of market share, thanks also to the Lavida, which is currently the country’s best-selling car. With almost half of Volkswagen’s share, Honda, in second position, ended at 6.3%.

Toyota – overtaking Geely – takes the third position, improving 8.8% from the previous year. Geely – ending at 5% of market share – declined by 7.6%.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models

Economic Environment

Chinese economic growth slowed again in the fourth quarter as spillovers from both financial deleveraging earlier in the year and the trade spat between China and the United States continue to weigh on economic activity.

Although policy easing is preventing the economy from decelerating sharply and the slowdown appears to be manageable for now, risks are mounting.

Economic growth will remain lackluster this year on the back of moderating domestic growth amid trade tensions between China and the U.S. Although authorities will rely on fiscal and monetary policy support to avoid any sharp slowdown, the scale of the policy stimulus will be rather limited compared to previous initiatives.

Market Trend

Chinese domestic vehicles market has reduced the growing speed since 2016, after having achieved the 30% of global sales. The future evolution is clearly driven more by real solution regarding the two main issues created by the last decade market boom, pollution and traffic congestion.

Chinese government has shifted its attention from total volume to engine mix and is progressively creating incentives to small and low emission vehicles, while supporting investment in the AFVs, mainly electric.

In this direction, in January 2017 it has been increased the duties for vehicles with engines displacements over 1.6 liter (from 5% to 7.5%). During the 2017, according to the data released by the C.A.A.M., (China Association of Automobile Manufacturers) new light vehicles sales (including both domestic produced and import) have been 28.2 million, up 0.9%.

The Chinese government announced on 22 May 2018 that the customs duty for CBUs had be reduced from 25% or 20% to 15% from 1 July 2018, and that the duty for auto parts were be cut simultaneously to 6%. This adjustment means that Passenger Vehicles (PVs) had been taxed at 15% since last July, instead of the previous 25%.

However, in the 2018 the Chinese vehicles market has progressively lost steam, following the deceleration of the domestic consumer demand. Indeed, after a positive start, the market has performed negatively during the second half of the year, ending with sales down 3.7%. The market has interrupted the positive trend of recent years losing for the first time since ’90s and closing the 2018 with 27.5 million units sold.

Competitive Arena

The 2018 market leader was Volkswagen, ending with over the double sales than the second with 3.1 million vehicles (-0.4%) and 11.7% of market share.

At the end of an amazing run Honda has taken the second place with actual figures at 1.45 million units (+2.4%).

In third place Geely with 1.37 million (+10.0%) few units ahead of Toyota with 1.37 million (+13.5%).

In fifth place Nissan with 1.23 million units (+7.7%) followed by Changan with 1.15 million (-17.0%), Wuling with 1.1 million (-1.2%), Buick with 1.06 million (-13.1%), Baojun with 879.077 (-13.9%) and in 10th place by Hyundai with 802.000 (-3.9%).

At model-wise, pushed up by new generation launch, the Volkswagen Lavida recovered the leadership since June with the launch of last generation and established itself on top of the 2018 list with 503.825 (-2.6%) sales ahead the Nissan Sylphy able to escalate the ranking up to the second place with 481.216 (+18.9%) and the Wuling Hongguang with 476.538 (-10.5%).

The list of Chinese Best Selling models ranking for the current and previous year is available in dedicated section.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models

In the 2018 the Chinese vehicles market has progressively lost steam, following the deceleration of the domestic consumer demand. Indeed, after a positive start, the market has performed negatively during the second half of the year, ending with sales down 3.7%. The market has interrupted the positive trend of recent years losing for the first time since ’90s and closing the 2018 with 27.5 million units sold.

As far as regard the ranking of best-selling cars, thanks to a very strong score in June (+25.8%) and July (+34%) with the arrival of the last generation, the Volkswagen Lavida is back on top of the list (as in the 2016), with 503.825 sales (-2.6%).

In second place the Nissan Sylphy with 481.216 (+18.6%), which gained this place in August for the very first time.

In third place the 2017 leader, the Wuling Hongguang, with 476.538 sales (-10.5%). This is a MPV produced since September 2010 by SAIC-GM-Wuling, the joint venture of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co and GM China.

In fourth place the Haval H6, a compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by the Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors since 2011, with 452.552 sales (-10.6%).

In fifth place the Toyota Corolla with 374.400 sales (+11.2%) followed by the Baojun 510 with 361.403 sales (+0.7%), the Volkswagen Jetta with 327.685 (+3.2%), the Volkswagen Sagitar, up 3 spots, with 309.902 (-5.2%), the Volkswagen Tiguan with 307.896 (-11.4%) and in 10th place the Hyundai Elantra with 284.284 (+1.5%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for the top 100 Models