According to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), the Chinese auto market experienced the sale of 9.533 million new cars from January to June 2023. This represents a 2.8% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Among these sales, 2,093,000 vehicles were electric (EVs), while 996,000 were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), collectively known as new energy vehicles (NEVs). NEVs accounted for 32.4% of the total sales.
Regarding market share, BYD emerged as the top-selling auto brand in China, selling 1,098,409 vehicles and capturing an 11.52% market share. Volkswagen secured the second position, selling 982,290 cars and holding a market share of 10.30%. Toyota claimed the third spot with 797,605 cars sold, accounting for an 8.37% market share. Honda followed closely in fourth place, selling 527,484 vehicles and possessing a market share of 5.53%. Changan rounded out the top five, selling 467,194 cars and holding a market share of 4.90%.
It is worth noting that the sales of traditional ICE brands such as Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have declined while the overall large market has grown slightly. The shares of these brands in China are being eaten away by EV brands.
BYD, in particular, saw a nearly even sales distribution between pure EVs and PHEVs. Despite this, BYD remains the largest manufacturer of pure electric vehicles in the Chinese market.
Maintaining its leadership position, BYD sold 524,184 pure EVs, representing a significant 25.04% market share. Tesla secured the second position with 294,105 cars sold, accounting for a market share of 14.05%. GAC Aion claimed the third spot with 211,228 vehicles sold, capturing a market share of 10.09%. Wuling and Changan took the fourth and fifth spots as the best-selling pure electric brands.
Turning to the most popular models in the Chinese market, the top three vehicles were the Tesla Model Y, with 203,932 cars sold; the BYD Qin Plus, with 200,274 units sold; and the BYD Song Plus, with 176,526 vehicles sold.
