April 2026 delivered strong results for China's NEV market. BYD secured 290,000 monthly sales to stay atop the brand rankings, while Tesla Model Y claimed the single-model crown. NEV penetration surpassed 52% for the first time, signaling a fundamental shift in the oil-vs-electric landscape. This article breaks down brand dynamics, model rankings, and regional penetration for overseas buyers.

Brand Landscape: BYD's Dominance and the Fierce Second Tier

In April 2026, BYD sold 290,000 units, maintaining a steady 35% year-over-year growth. Its monthly volume nearly equals the combined sales of brands ranked second through fourth.

Geely NEV followed with 78,000 units, up 42% YoY. Growth was driven by the dual-force Galaxy and Zeekr lineups.

Tesla China delivered 62,000 units in April, rebounding 18% month-over-month. The refreshed Model Y ramp-up showed clear impact.

The second-tier battle is intensifying:

• XPeng sold 31,000 units, with the X9 and G6 contributing over 70% of volume

• NIO delivered 26,000 units, as its Onvo sub-brand began independent scaling

• Li Auto posted 24,000 units, with MEGA production gradually contributing

Single-Model Rankings: Model Y Overtakes, Xiaomi SU7 Enters Top 5

Model Y sold 48,500 units in April, overtaking BYD Qin PLUS as the best-selling NEV model. This marks Tesla's first full sales month after the refreshed Model Y launch.

Xiaomi SU7 entered the top 5 with 28,000 units, setting a record for the fastest new-force model to cross 20K monthly sales.

Penetration Breaks 52%: The Inflection Point Arrives

April NEV wholesale volume reached 926,000 units, pushing market penetration to 52.3%. This is the first time China's NEV penetration has crossed the 50% threshold in a single month.

This milestone signals three shifts:

1. NEVs transition from policy-driven to market-led demand

2. Voluntary consumer choice now exceeds 50%, reshaping purchase logic

3. ICE production cuts accelerate, narrowing the transformation window for joint-venture brands

By powertrain, BEVs accounted for 58% and PHEVs 42%. PHEV growth has outpaced BEVs for four consecutive months, becoming the primary growth driver.

Regional Penetration: Tier-3 and Tier-4 Cities Become the New Engine

Tier-3 and Tier-4 cities contributed 47% of April's NEV incremental volume. The trade-in program and charging infrastructure rollout are the key drivers.

• County-level charging density grew 120% year-over-year

• Sub-100K NEV models accounted for 61% of sales in lower-tier cities

• Rural first-time NEV purchases exceeded 35%

For overseas buyers in Central Asia and Russia, China's 52%+ NEV penetration is a strong signal. It means Chinese automakers have achieved globally leading supply-chain maturity, product iteration speed, and cost control. Buyers sourcing through EX1000.COM are accessing the world's most competitive price-technology combination.

Why These Numbers Matter to Overseas Buyers

China's sales scale directly determines what products overseas buyers can access. BYD's 290,000-unit monthly volume delivers supply-chain cost advantages that regional brands selling fewer than 100,000 annually cannot match.

Chinese brands already hold over 55% of new-car share in Russia and Central Asia. The fierce competition in China is translating into tangible benefits for overseas buyers.