In H1 2026, China's passenger vehicle retail sales exceeded the full-year 2025 level. CPCA data shows record cumulative sales. NEV penetration continues rising, with June wholesale expected to grow 22% YoY. BYD sold 1,808,500 units including 789,400 overseas. Chery reached 1,357,533 units, up 7.7%. For buyers in Central Asia and Russia, this means richer choices and competitive pricing.
Historic First: Half-Year Sales Surpass Full-Year Total
Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) shows that retail passenger vehicle sales in China from January to June 2026 have officially surpassed the full-year 2025 level. This is the first time in Chinese automotive history that half-year sales exceeded the previous year's full-year total, marking the entry of China's auto market into a super-high-speed expansion cycle.
The core driver of this achievement comes from the NEV segment. June NEV passenger vehicle wholesale sales are expected to grow 22% year-on-year, with penetration likely to break through the 50% threshold. Meanwhile, traditional ICE vehicles continue to decline, with double-digit year-on-year sales drops. The structural substitution effect accelerated in 2026, making China the first major global automotive market where NEVs dominate retail sales.
Competitive Landscape and Export Data of Leading Automakers
At the corporate level, the H1 2026 competitive landscape shows the following characteristics:
- BYD sold 1,808,500 units in H1, including 789,400 units overseas, with overseas growth reaching 35%
- Chery Group sold 1,357,533 units in H1, up 7.7% year-on-year, with exports accounting for over 40%
- Geely Group accelerated NEV transformation, with NEV sales share exceeding 35% in H1
- Great Wall and Changan expanded overseas markets to Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East, and Latin America
- BYD established local factories in Thailand and Uzbekistan, shortening delivery cycles
- Chery has cultivated the Central Asian market for over a decade with mature dealer networks and after-sales systems
- Geely achieves premium market coverage through brand matrix including Volvo and Polestar
- Great Wall's Tank series has secured leadership in the hardcore off-road segment in the Russian market
Core Data Reference for Overseas Procurement
| Company | 2026 H1 Sales | Overseas Sales | Overseas Growth | Core Export Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD | 1,808,500 units | 789,400 units | +35% | Seal, Yuan PLUS, Dolphin |
| Chery Group | 1,357,533 units | 540,000+ | +7.7% | Tiggo 8, Omoda, Jetour |
| Geely Group | 950,000+ | 280,000+ | +18% | Zeekr 001, Geometry A, Lynk |
| Great Wall | 520,000+ | 160,000+ | +12% | Tank 300, Haval H6 |
| Changan | 680,000+ | 200,000+ | +22% | CS75, Deepal SL03 |
For procurement decision-makers in Central Asian and Russian markets, the above data carries three layers of reference significance. First, the ultra-large domestic sales market supports a complete industrial chain, allowing overseas buyers to access parts supply and technical support equivalent to the domestic market. Second, intense domestic competition forces automakers to continuously reduce costs and improve efficiency, amplifying the cost-performance advantage of export models. Third, brands like BYD and Chery have overseas growth rates far exceeding domestic rates, proving their products have validated international adaptability and reducing trial risk for buyers. EX1000.COM recommends that importers prioritize brands and models with high overseas sales share and rapid growth rates to match local market preferences and regulatory requirements.
