China NEV retail sales fall 10% to 1.148 million in October as share hits record 67.8%
Preliminary CPCA data show 1.148 million new energy passenger cars sold at retail in October, down 10% year on year but up 6% from September, while NEVs reached a record 67.8% of all retail car sales.
China's retail market for new energy passenger vehicles (NEVs) reached about 1,148,000 units in October, according to preliminary figures from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). That is 10% lower than the 1,282,000 units of October 2025, but 6% higher than September.
The result beat the CPCA's own forecast of about 1.07 million made in late October, and the year-on-year decline narrowed from 16.7% in September. October was still the 10th month in a row of lower NEV retail sales compared with 2025. From January to October, NEV retail sales totalled 8.907 million units, down 12%.
The wider car market fell faster. Total passenger car retail sales were 1.693 million in October, down 25% year on year, so NEVs took a record 67.8% of retail sales, up from 67.0% in September. The CPCA said production of pure fuel light vehicles in the first 4 weeks of October was down 52%, citing high international oil prices.
Wholesale figures, which include exports, remained stronger: NEV wholesale volume was 1.807 million in October, up 12% year on year, and 13.26 million for January to October, up 10%.
