China will lead global car production and sales in 2025 and projects 19 million electric cars in 2026.
The association forecasts a 15,2% increase in sales of new energy vehicles and exports of 7,4 million.
247 - China ended 2025 maintaining its world leadership in automobile production and sales for the 17th consecutive year and is already projecting a new expansion of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2026, with an estimated 19 million units sold.
The data and projections were released this Wednesday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), in a press conference reported by Global Timeswhich highlighted the sector's record performance and the growing figures for foreign trade.
According to the association, the NEV sales they must achieve 19 million in 2026, what would that represent? increase of 15,2% in relation to the previous year. Within the same timeframe, the total vehicle exports are estimated at 7,4 million, high of 4,3%, signaling, in the sector's assessment, still robust fundamentals despite a more moderate growth rate.
Record year and sustained global leadership
In the 2025 balance sheet, vehicle production in China reached 34,531 million of units, while sales totaled 34,40 millionwith annual highs of 10,4% e 9,4%, respectively, according to CAAM. The entity also stated that the NEVs have already accounted for more than 50%. of the total volume of new cars sold in the country.
The external performance also broke records. Exports exceeded 7 million vehicles., a new all-time high, and the Exported NEVs totaled 2,615 million., a number which, according to official data cited in the report, doubled compared to the previous year.
Policies to stimulate and advance Chinese brands.
A representative from CAAM attributed the better-than-expected result in 2025 to the intensification of large-scale equipment renewal policies and durable goods exchange programs, measures designed to stimulate investment and consumption.
The growth of domestic automakers has also solidified in the domestic market. CAAM recorded that passenger vehicles from Chinese brands achieved almost 70% of participation in the domestic market, growth of 4,3 percentage points compared to a year earlier.
Revenue exceeding 10 trillion yuan and a "structural advantage"
O deputy secretary-general from CAAM, Chen Shihua, assessed that, during the period of 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025)The Chinese automotive industry has made progress on several fronts. According to a report by CCTV News mentioned in the text, he stated that annual production and sales were... over 30 million For three consecutive years, the sector's operating revenue exceeded 10 trillion yuan and Chinese exports reached first place globally.
Chen also pointed out that the accelerated integration between electrification, intelligence e connectivity This created a structural competitive advantage, placing the Chinese automotive industry at the forefront internationally.
What do the numbers indicate for 2026?
With the projection of 19 million NEVs e 7,4 million Regarding exported vehicles, CAAM signals continued expansion, supported by Chinese industrial scale, the growing importance of electric vehicles, and the strengthening of domestic brands. At the same time, the projected percentages suggest that the sector may enter a phase of more gradual growth after the surge in 2025, when production, sales, and exports reached historical highs.
