CAAM Releases April 2026 Automobile Production and Sales Data

[Market Dynamics] In April 2026, automobile production and sales saw a slight year-over-year decline, with exports and commercial vehicles serving as the main pillars of support.

Key Trends: New Energy Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles Grow Against the Trend

Automobile sales in April reached 2.526 million units, a 2.5% year-over-year decrease; cumulative sales from January to April totaled 9.574 million units, with the decline narrowing to 4.8%. Among these, passenger vehicle sales dropped by 4.2%, while commercial vehicle sales rose by 8.1%. New energy vehicle (NEV) sales reached 1.344 million units, up 9.7% year-over-year.

Strategic Foundation: Strong Exports Offset Weak Domestic Demand

Although domestic demand remains insufficient, automobile exports continued to grow rapidly, becoming a critical stabilizing force for the overall market. CAAM forecasts that total automobile sales in 2026 will achieve a modest 1% increase.