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

Market Trend and Outlook

The Chinese economy is on track to meet the government’s 2023 growth target, reflecting a strong post-COVID recovery. Real GDP is projected to grow by 5.4 percent in 2023 and slow to 4.6 percent in 2024 amid continued weakness in the property sector and subdued external demand.

China’s credit-fueled growth in recent years was accompanied by widening imbalances and rising vulnerabilities. Excessively high household savings were used to finance infrastructure and residential investment with diminishing returns, resulting in elevated debt levels.

The Chinese auto market has shown signs of slower growth in 2023, with YTD figures at 17.80 million down 2.3% from the previous year. In October 2023 sales grew 9.7% after falling for 4 consecutive months, reporting 2.08 million new sales.

Looking at cumulative data up to October 2023, brand-wise the Chinese EV manufacturer BYD becomes the leader for the first time with 2.04 million sales (+52.6%), followed by the Volkswagen -down 1 spot- in 2nd at 1.77 million (-6.3%).

Toyota falls 1 spot into 3rd with 1.42 million sales  (-6.8%), followed by Honda with 959,669 registrations (-18.2%), Changan with 932,498 sales (+7.4%) and Geely with 794,676 units sold (+8.2%).

In 7th place ranks BMW with 651,207 sales (+4.4%), followed by Mercedes -up 1 spot– with 614,016 (+0.2%), Audi -up 4 spots- with 575,192 (+8.7%) and Wuling closing the Top 10 with 544,021 sales (-9.2%).

Best selling models in China are the BYD Qin PLUS in 1st -up 6 spots- with 355,017 sales (+36.7%) and the Tesla Model Y in 2nd -up 3 spots- with 346,462 cumulative units sold (+20.9%).

Medium-Term Market Trend

The Chinese vehicle market is the largest in the world and in the last decade it has maintained an overall positive trend. Starting from 14.0 million sales in 2011 the Chinese light vehicle market grew 7 years in a row reaching an all time high in 2017 with 25.6 million registrations. The following 2 years were both negative taking the market sales to 22.5 million in 2019.

The arrival of the pandemic in 2020 blocked the world economy making demand for cars fall world wide. The Chinese market stood its ground dropping only 5.9%, a smaller fall compared to 2019 (-7.6%), taking sales down to 21.2 million.

Post-covid the Chinese vehicle market recovered immediately with sales rising 4.0% in 2021 and 1.0% in 2022. Despite the overall trend in 2022 being positive, the last 3 months all reported losses, a negative trend that will probably continue into 2023.

Tables with sales figures

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

Excel Dataset

We purchase new vehicles registrations for 159 countries worldwide – included this one – from the local official authorities and receive a monthly file with raw data by country.

You can have access to this service:

• Data by Year/Month/Brand/Model/Segment
• Historical data (from 2010 to last month) and/or to monthly sales update.
• Next Year’s Forecast
• Data is released in excel via mail or cloud.

Last 2 years dataset cost €3.000. 

The service cost is correlated with the data perimeter and you will have a customized quotation just contacting us at info@focus2move.com

Market Report

The report provides a comprehensive and complete overview of the market competitive environment including information on the sales volumes of cars and light commercial vehicles, market size, market share, and industry trends.

Through our comprehensive global sales database and the expertise of seasoned consultants in this field, we can help you gain further insight into the automotive market trends and base your business decisions on actionable data.

Table of contents

• Country Overview
  • Geography
  • History
  • People & Politics
• Economic Outlook
  • Economy
  • Infrastructure
• Market Outlook
  • Market Heritage
  • Car Passenger’s segmentation
  • LCVs segmentation
  • Car Passengers Body Type mix
  • LCVs Body Type mix
  • Premium segment share
  • Chinese OEMs share
• Key Players
  • Top selling Groups 2022
  • Top selling Brands 2022
  • Premium Brands
  • Chinese Brands
• Market Data By Model
  • Top selling Models 2022
  • Top models by segment and body type
• Key Factors for market Evolution
  • Country development
  • Economic Outlook
  • Customer base evolution
  • Low-Carbon Transition Policy
  • Infrastructure & Investments
• 2023-2028 Volume Forecast
  • TIV evolution by segment
  • Cars and LCVs forecast
  • Segments forecast
  • Premium segment share forecast
  • Chinese OEMs share forecast
  • Forecast by Manufacturer

Price for market research: €2,500

Price for market research + Last 2 Years dataset in excel: €4,000

For further inquiries contact us at info@focus2move.com

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

Market Trend and Outlook

Chinese industry is one of the most affected by disruption created in the country by the “Zero Covid” strategy, which forced millions people and workers into shutdown in all the main metropolitan regions this year, with production lost both in components and vehicles amd with showrooms frequently waste of products and clients.

However, the strong demand focused on new electric vehicles, sustained the domestic market, which was more resilient than many other industries.

The Chinese auto market in 2022 shows resilience despite the strong covid regulations,  totaling 22.15 million sales, a 1.0% increase compared to the prior year. In December new registrations fell for the 3rd month in a row, reporting 2.24 million (-8.2%)

Looking at cumulative data from 2022, brand-wise the leader is still Volkswagen with 2.30 million sales (+5.5%), followed by Toyota in 2nd at 1.86 million (+10.8%).

The Chinese manufacturer BYD moves up 11 spots into 3rd with 1.76 million sales  (+157.1%) and is the real winner this year.

In fourth place stands Honda at 1.39 million (-9.0%) followed by Changan at 1.10 (+13.1%) and Geely with 892,047 (-16.8%).

In 7th place ranks Chery with 871,956 (+1.5%) followed by Nissan with 821,408 (-17.9%), BMW with 755,487 (-7.6%) and Mercedes closing the Top 10 with 739,790 sales (-0.2%).

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 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