China's major automakers released July 2026 sales figures. BYD led with 419,211 units sold, with overseas sales surging 124.3% YoY to 179,841 units. Chery broke 200,000 monthly exports for the first time, while Geely's NEV share hit 64% with exports up 202%. Overseas markets have become the core growth engine for Chinese automakers.
July Sales Overview: The Full Picture
In July 2026, China's major automakers released their sales figures, showing a clear pattern of "domestic stabilization, overseas acceleration." BYD maintained its leadership with 419,211 units sold, including 179,841 units overseas—a staggering 124.3% year-on-year increase, setting a new record. Chery Group sold 276,820 units in July, up 23.3% YoY, with monthly exports exceeding 200,000 units for the first time. Geely sold 250,161 units, with NEVs accounting for 64% of total sales and overseas exports reaching 106,663 units, surging 202% YoY.
Tiered Competition Among Leading Brands
July sales revealed a clear tier structure among Chinese brands:
| Automaker | July Sales | YoY Growth | Overseas Sales | Overseas YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYD | 419,211 | +21.8% | 179,841 | +124.3% |
| Chery Group | 276,820 | +23.3% | 202,533 | +70.1% |
| Geely | 250,161 | — | 106,663 | +202% |
| SAIC Group | 339,000 | — | — | — |
| Leapmotor | 101,267 | +102% | — | — |
BYD's Dynasty and Ocean series remained the absolute foundation, selling 350,178 units in July. In the premium segment, Fangchengbao sold 41,213 units, up 190.6% YoY, while Denza delivered 19,196 units.
Dual Engines: NEV and Export Growth
The most prominent trends in July were the continued rise of NEV penetration and the full-scale explosion of overseas markets:
- Geely's NEV sales reached 160,165 units, accounting for 64% of total sales, with NEV exports making up nearly 60% of total exports
- Chery's NEV sales hit 129,067 units in July, up 97.5% YoY
- ARCFOX sold 23,517 units in July, up 150.45% YoY
- BAIC New Energy delivered 25,074 units in July, up 121.27% YoY
BYD's overseas sales now account for 43% of total sales—meaning more than 4 out of every 10 vehicles sold go overseas. Chery's export ratio is even higher at 73.2%. Overseas markets have become the core growth engine for Chinese automakers.
New Force Divergence Intensifies
EV startups showed clear divergence in July performance:
- Leapmotor achieved its first-ever monthly delivery exceeding 100,000 units, reaching 101,267 units, up 102% YoY
- NIO delivered 35,934 units, up 71% YoY, with the Firefly brand growing 143.9%
- Xpeng delivered 38,027 units, up approximately 4% YoY
- Li Auto delivered 30,468 units, down 0.86% YoY
- Xiaomi maintained stability above 30,000 units
Outlook for H2 2026
Citi analyst Jeff Chung noted in a research report that China's NEV industry wholesale volume is expected to grow 1% MoM and 23% YoY in July, exceeding market expectations. CPCA Deputy Secretary-General Wei Wenqing projected that driven by NEV exports, China's auto exports in 2026 could exceed 10 million units.
For buyers and dealers in emerging markets like Central Asia and Russia, the continued expansion of Chinese automaker exports means more product choices and more competitive pricing. Platforms like EX1000 are making overseas procurement channels increasingly accessible.
