Honda China March Sales Drop 34% Year-on-Year Amid Accelerating EV Transition

[Market Performance] Honda China's terminal sales in March declined by 34.34% year-on-year, with a cumulative first-quarter sales drop of 22.43%.

Key Development: 36,201 Units Sold in March, Down 34.34% Year-on-Year

In March 2026, Honda's terminal sales in China totaled 36,201 units, down 34.34% from 55,130 units during the same period last year. First-quarter cumulative sales reached 122,470 units, representing a 22.43% year-on-year decline. Despite this downturn, Honda’s cumulative sales in China have surpassed the 20 million-unit milestone.

Industry Impact: Joint Venture Market Share Shrinks to 24.9%, Japanese Brands Under Mounting Pressure

Against a backdrop of new energy vehicle (NEV) penetration reaching 52.9%, joint venture brands held only 24.9% of the market in Q1 2026—a significant contraction compared to 2021. The combined market share of Japan’s top three automakers in China has plummeted from 23.1% to under 9%.

Strategic Foundation: GAC Honda Sales Plunge 56.8% Year-on-Year, ICE Flagships Struggle to Grow

GAC Honda reported first-quarter sales of 40,061 units, a staggering 56.80% year-on-year drop. Dongfeng Honda did not disclose detailed figures. Only three models—CR-V, Accord, and Breeze—exceeded 10,000 units in sales. Other models, including Civic (5,330 units) and HR-V (4,031 units), posted weak performances.