China NEV Retail Sales Fall 13% in Early October

October 15, 2026

E-mobility, Industry & Market

China's passenger NEV retail sales reached 281,000 from October 1-11, down 13% year over year, while wholesale volume rose 6% to 301,000. NEV retail penetration eased to 61.2% as wholesale penetration reached 78.1%.

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China’s passenger new energy vehicle retail sales totaled 281,000 from October 1 to 11, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on October 14, 2026. Volume fell 13% year over year and 7% from the same period in September.

NEV retail penetration was 61.2%, below the record 67.0% recorded for September and the 70.3% reached during the first 13 days of that month. Year-to-date NEV retail sales totaled 8.04 million, down 13% year over year. September marked the ninth consecutive month of declining NEV retail sales.

Wholesale results were stronger. Automakers sold 301,000 NEVs at wholesale from October 1 to 11, up 6% year over year but down 11% from the comparable period in September. Year-to-date wholesale sales reached 11.75 million, an increase of 9%. Wholesale penetration rose to 78.1%, reflecting continued strength in exports.

Retail sales across China’s passenger vehicle market totaled 459,000 during the period, down 24% year over year but up 7% from the same period in September. Year-to-date passenger vehicle retail sales were 13.79 million, down 22%. Passenger vehicle wholesale volume reached 385,000, down 18% year over year and 15% from the previous month’s comparable period.

China auto sales · October 1-11

China NEV Retail Sales Fall 13% in Early October

Retail weakened, while wholesale penetration rose to 78.1%, highlighting export-backed resilience despite sluggish consumer demand.

61.2%NEV retail penetrationBelow September's 67.0% and 70.3% in the first 13 days of September.

Vehicles, October 1-11Year-on-year

Passenger vehicle retailup 7%; YTD 13.79 million, down 22%459,000down 24%

Passenger wholesaledown 15%; YTD 20.12 million, down 6%385,000down 18%

NEV wholesaledown 11%; YTD 11.75 million, up 9%301,000up 6%

NEV retaildown 7%; YTD 8.04 million, down 13%281,000down 13%

Retail, October 1-732,651 vehiclesDaily average; down 25% year-on-year and 10% from September.

Retail, October 8-1157,589 vehiclesDaily average; down 22% year-on-year but up 32% from September.

Wholesale, October 1-720,582 vehiclesDaily average; down 32% year-on-year and 44% from last month.

Wholesale, October 8-1160,246 vehiclesDaily sales; down 7% year-on-year but up 23% from last month.

Row colours show year-on-year direction; note openings compare last month. September's 16.7% fall was the ninth consecutive monthly decline; October could be the tenth.

Outlook stays resilientGasoline vehicle production fell 51% and wholesale sales dropped 53% in the first 2 weeks; CPCA still forecasts October NEV penetration above 65%.

China NEV Retail Sales Fall 13% in Early October · BatteryTech Network

Average daily retail sales were 32,651 vehicles from October 1 to 7, which coincided with the National Day holiday. The average increased to 57,589 vehicles from October 8 to 11, up 32% from the same period in September but down 22% year over year.

The CPCA said additional selling days, auto shows, local subsidies and automaker promotions supported a modest recovery in showroom traffic. It previously forecast that NEV penetration would remain above 65% in October, partly because this year’s trade-in subsidies are weighted toward the latter part of the year.

Source: cnevpost.com