Passenger car sales in China, the world’s largest automotive market, recorded an increase in May for the fourth consecutive month, but sales saw slower growth among major brands, driven by the “price war” in the sector.
According to data released this Monday by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), sales grew by 13.9% in the fifth month of the year compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 1.96 million vehicles, although this was below the 14.8% growth recorded in April.
The revealed data also shows that sales of electric and hybrid vehicles increased by 28.2% compared to the previous year, down from the 33.9% growth in April.
BYD, the leader in electric vehicles, reported a slowdown in the annual growth of passenger vehicle sales to 14.1% last month, compared to 19.4% recorded in April, despite the launch of a new discount campaign.
Other major brands such as Geely and Chery also reported slower growth in May, driven by the “price war,” raising concerns about a potential market restructuring.
It should be noted that the Chinese government has already called for an end to the price war in the automotive sector, warning that the current situation could compromise the long-term sustainability of the sector.
Note also the exports, which according to data from the CPCA increased by 13.5% in May compared to the same month last year, after having decreased by 2% in April, pressured by customs tariffs in Europe.
