China's new energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales both surpassed 12 million units in the first three quarters of 2026, with NEVs accounting for 53.6% of the country's total new car sales — the first time the share has exceeded half in cumulative nine-month data, according to figures released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on October 12.
From January to September, NEV production and sales reached 12.483 million and 12.472 million units respectively, up 11% and 11.1% year on year. In September alone, NEV output and sales hit 1.814 million and 1.823 million units, and the monthly NEV share of new car sales climbed to a record 61.6% — meaning more than three of every five new cars sold in China last month were new energy vehicles.
Overseas markets were a standout performer. China exported 4.006 million NEVs in the first three quarters, up 130% year on year, including 3.913 million NEV passenger cars. Overall auto exports reached 8.205 million units, up 65.8%, and the country has now shipped more than 1 million vehicles per month for four consecutive months since June, with NEVs consistently representing over half of those exports.
CAAM Deputy Secretary-General Chen Shihua described the overall auto market as running in a "cold at home, hot abroad" pattern: total auto production and sales for the nine months stood at 23.246 million and 23.271 million units, both down 4.5% year on year, while exports showed strong resilience. Chen said China's full-year auto exports are expected to exceed 10 million units.
Liu Yan, another CAAM deputy secretary-general, noted that the global competitiveness of Chinese automobiles has shifted from a cost-performance advantage to systemic competitiveness centered on new energy. The association also pointed to the recently released 15th Five-Year Plan for the intelligent and connected NEV industry as top-level guidance for the sector's next phase of development.
