China wholesales First Half 2026: Sales off -21%, Leapmotor, Xiaomi islands of growth
Over the first half of 2026, CAAM data shows wholesales of Chinese-made vehicles down -4.1% to 15,017,000 vehicles, after climbing 11% to 15,653,000 last year (this includes exports). Sales of light passenger vehicles are off -6% to 12,720,000 while commercial vehicles are up 8% to 2,297,000. Domestic sales are down a harsh -21% to just 9,921,000 but exports soar 65% to 5,096,000. Total wholesales of NEVs (BEV+PHEV) defy the negative market and grow 7.3% to 7,446,000 units but domestic sales are down -13% to 5,090,000. NEV exports surge 120% to 2,355,000. Total wholesales of BEVs are up 12% to 4,989,000 while PHEVs are down -1.2% to 2,457,000.
In the brands ranking, BYD (-45.6%) almost halves its sales year-on-year but retains the pole position – just, having reclaimed it by end June. Geely (-21.5%) follows the market at #2 while Volkswagen (-28.8%) stays at #3. Toyota (-17.8%) limits its fall somewhat at #4 and ranked #3 four times. The performer of the year so far is Leapmotor, up 34.8% YoY in a frankly negative market and up 12 spots on H1 2025 to #5, a ranking it held in May and June. Chery (-23.8%) follows at #6 ahead of Wuling (-30.2%), Tesla (-9.3%), Audi (-15.7%) and BMW (-18.1%). Two carmakers leave the Top 10: Changan (-45.5%) is down 6 ranks to #11 and Honda (-34.7%) down four to #12. Xiaomi (+17.2%) is the only additional Top 15 member in positive. Below, Fang Cheng Bao (+115.2%), MG (+86.3%), Nevo (+76%) and NIO (+60.4%) make themselves noticed.
Over in the models charts, the Geely Xingyuan (-5.3%) resists and easily stays on top with just under 200,000 units. The Tesla Model Y (+0.6%) is stable, a great performance in this depleted market, and climbs up one spot to #2. The new Li i6 has been met with tremendous success, selling over 120,000 units after a launch last September. The Geely Boyue L (+35.7%) ranked #2 in January and ends the period at #4 vs. #35 a year ago over H1 2025. The Xiaomi YU7 (+4580.3%) celebrates one year in market with a 5th place overall, it even led the charts outright in January. The Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 (#8) and BYD Sealion 06 (#9) are the two other newcomers inside the Top 10. Notice also the NIO ES8 up to #18, the MG 4 up to #25 and the Leapmotor A10 landing at #35 and up to #3 in June.
