Sylphy (Nissan)

The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) announced the production and sales volumes of passenger cars (including sedans, SUVs, and MPVs, excluding minivans) for July 2023.
China passenger car production and sales volumes in July 2023
Retail
July retail sales volumes of passenger cars totaled 1.775 million units, reflecting a year-over-year (y/y) decrease of 2.3%. Year-to-date (YTD) retail sales volume totaled 11.299 million units, up 1.9% y/y.
In July, luxury car retail sales volume was 240,000 units, down 22% y/y. YTD retail sales volume increased 11% y/y.
Retail sales volumes of local brands totaled 940,000 units, up 15% y/y. Local brands had a market share of 53.2% of the total, up 5.8% y/y. In terms of wholesale sales, local brands occupied a market share of 58.1%, up 8.3% y/y.
Retail sales volumes of mainstream joint venture brands totaled 590,000 units in July, down 28% y/y. Specifically, German brands had a retail share of 20.8%, down 0.8% y/y; Japanese brands had a share of 15.8%, down 5% y/y; American brands had a share of 7.7%, up 0.7% y/y.
Wholesale
In July, wholesale volumes totaled 2.065 million units, down 3.2% y/y. Specifically, wholesale volumes of local OEMs totaled 1.19 million units, up 22% y/y; wholesale volumes of mainstream joint venture OEMs totaled 590,000 units, down 34% y/y; wholesale volumes of luxury vehicles totaled 280,000 units, down 13% y/y.
Production
Passenger car production totaled 2.101 million units in July, reflecting a y/y decrease of 2.6%. Specifically, production of luxury brands fell 5% y/y; production of joint venture brands fell 36% y/y; and production of local brands rose 24% y/y.
New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)
In July, wholesale volumes of new energy passenger cars totaled 737,000 units, up 30.7% y/y. Specifically, battery electric vehicle (BEV) volumes totaled 496,000 units, up 15.3% y/y; plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) volumes totaled 242,000 units, up 80.0% y/y; ICE-powered (ICE: internal combustion engine) hybrid passenger vehicle volumes totaled 64,000 units, down 22% y/y.
In the BEV market, wholesale volumes of A00-class electric vehicles (micro, wheelbase 2-2.2 meters) totaled 85,000 units, down 35% y/y and accounting for 17% (down 13% y/y) of the total BEV volume; wholesale volumes of A0-class small vehicles (wheelbase 2.2-2.3 meters) totaled 156,000 units, accounting for 32% (up 10% y/y) of the total BEV volume; wholesale volumes of A-class compact vehicles (wheelbase 2.3-2.45 meters) totaled 95,000 units, accounting for 19% of the total BEV volume; wholesale volumes of B-class midsize vehicles (wheelbase 2.45-2.6 meters) totaled 145,000 units, up 69% y/y and accounting for 29% of the total BEV volume. Wholesale volumes of all classes of electric vehicles were relatively differentiated.
In July, there were 16 passenger models (19 in the same period last year) with a wholesale volume exceeding 20,000 units. These models are: BYD’s Song (51,258 units), BYD’s Qin (44,695 units), Tesla’s Model Y (43,961 units), SAIC VW’s Lavida (33,027 units), BYD’s Dolphin (31,950 units), BYD’s Yuan (31,456 units), BYD’s Seagull (28,001 units), Dongfeng Nissan’s Sylphy (27,562 units), Changan Auto’s CS75 (25,345 units), BYD’s Han (25,237 units), FAW VW’s Sagitar (24,394 units), GAC Aion’s Aion S (22,437 units), FAW Toyota’s Corolla (21,286 units), Haval’s H6 (21,265 units), Chery’s Tiggo 8 (20,440 units), and Tesla’s Model 3 (20,324 units), among which NEVs occupy the top three in terms of wholesale volume, with a clear dominance.
As for exports, 88,000 New Energy passenger cars were exported in July, up 80% y/y, among which 92% were BEVs and 50% were A0- and A00-class BEVs. Specifically, the export volumes were 32,862 units for Tesla China, 18,169 units for BYD, 17,724 units for SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle, 6,674 units for SAIC-GM-Wuling, 6,119 units for Dongfeng eGT, 2,391 units for Great Wall Motor, 2,280 units for Geely, 974 units for Skyworth Auto, 285 units for Chery, 282 units for Dongfeng Yu-An, 171 units for SAIC Maxus, 146 units for Changan Ford, and 127 units for Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile. Local brands such as SAIC Motor had a high export volume to Europe, and BYD’s export volume to Southeast Asia surged.
For emerging EV makers, retail shares totaled 13.1% in July, down 1.6% y/y. NIO, Li Auto, and Leapmotor maintained strong m/m (month-over-month) and y/y performance.
In terms of NEV wholesale volumes, Volkswagen sold 21,920 units this month, holding a large share of 59% in mainstream joint venture brands.

Market analysis and outlook
In July 2023, China’s auto market weakened slightly after enjoying peak performance in June, yet remaining relatively bullish. With China-6b emission standards coming into effect in the month, promotions in the market decreased a little, and their driving effect on the market diminished. On the other hand, national guiding policies for the auto industry were frequently introduced and had a good effect on boosting consumer confidence.
In August 2023, there will be 23 working days, flat from the same period last year. As some automakers have an ample capacity for conventional ICE vehicles and a long high-temperature vacation, the auto market will enter a rest period. The current high oil prices will contribute to increasing the number of NEVs. The previous overexuberance of the property market led to great debt pressure on residents, while the recent cooling of the market benefited the auto market by promoting the recovery of the purchasing power of the latter.
According to the CPCA, the robust demand in the off season of July is in line with expectations, but uncertainties remain about the demand in the year-end peak season. Its estimates for the 2023 passenger car retail sales and NEV wholesale volumes remain unchanged at 21 million units and 8.5 million units, respectively.
The recent issuance of an amendment to the “Parallel Management Measures for Average Fuel Consumption of Passenger Vehicle Enterprises and Points for NEVs” by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China has empowered the NEV market with a sustainable strong development momentum in the next two years. As nationwide promotional subsidies for ICE vehicles have been stepped up since March and China-6b emission standards came into effect in the second half of the year, the prices of ICE vehicles are bound to return to normal. Also, trade-in demand has become the key to supporting the growth of ICE vehicles. The ratio of trade-ins to sales volumes was 45% in 2022 and is expected to reach 48% this year.

Top 10 Chinese Passenger Car Makers by Retail Sales

Note: Data in the table refer to sales volumes of passenger cars including sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and minivans.
From a CPCA press release

The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) announced the production and sales volumes of passenger cars (including sedans, SUVs and MPVs, excluding minivans) for June 2023.
China passenger car production and sales volumes in June 2023
Retail
June retail sales volumes of passenger cars totaled 1.894 million units, reflecting a year-over-year (y/y) decrease of 2.6%. Year-to-date retail sales volume totaled 9.524 million units, up 2.7% y/y.
In June, luxury car retail sales volume was 300,000 units, down 3% y/y.
Retail sales volumes of local brands totaled 930,000 units, up 14% y/y. Local brands had a market share of 49.3% of the total, up 6.7% y/y. In terms of wholesale sales, local brands occupied a market share of 53.7%, up 8.6% y/y.
Retail sales volumes of mainstream joint venture brands totaled 660,000 units in June, down 19% y/y. Specifically, German brands had a retail share of 21.1%, down 1.6% y/y; Japanese brands had a share of 17.8%, down 3.7% y/y; American brands had a share of 9.2%, down 0.9% y/y.
Wholesale
In June, wholesale volumes totaled 2.236 million units, up 2.1% y/y. Specifically, wholesale volumes of local OEMs totaled 1,200,000 units, up 21% y/y; wholesale volumes of mainstream joint venture OEMs totaled 700,000 units, down 21% y/y; wholesale volumes of luxury vehicles totaled 330,000 units, up 2% y/y.
Production
Passenger car production totaled 2.195 million units in June, reflecting a y/y decrease of 0.5%. Specifically, production of luxury brands fell 1% y/y; production of joint venture brands fell 23% y/y; and production of local brands rose 21% y/y.
New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)
In the BEV market, wholesale volumes of A00-class electric vehicles (micro, wheelbase 2-2.2 meters) totaled 82,000 units, down 30% y/y and accounting for 16% (down 10% y/y) of the total BEV volume; wholesale volumes of A0-class small vehicles (wheelbase 2.2-2.3 meters) totaled 161,000 units, accounting for 30% (up 12% y/y) of the total BEV volume; wholesale volumes of A-class compact vehicles (wheelbase 2.3-2.45 meters) totaled 107,000 units, accounting for 20% of the total BEV volume; wholesale volumes of B-class midsize vehicles (wheelbase 2.45-2.6 meters) totaled 164,000 units, up 19% y/y and accounting for 31% of the total BEV volume. Wholesale volumes of all classes of electric vehicles were relatively differentiated.
In June, there were 16 (20 in the same period last year) passenger models with a wholesale volume exceeding 20,000 units. These models are: Tesla’s Model Y (63,043 units), BYD’s Qin (44,239 units), BYD’s Song (42,388 units), Dongfeng Nissan’s Sylphy (38,830 units), BYD’s Yuan (33,935 units), BYD’s Dolphin (31,140 units), Tesla’s Model 3 (30,637 units), SAIC VW’s Lavida (28,841 units), GAC Toyota’s Camry (25,898 units), FAW VW’s Sagitar (24,496 units), Changan Auto’s CS75 (24,356 units), BYD’s Han (23,206 units), BYD’s Seagull (23,005 units), GAC Aion’s Aion S (22,487 units), Geely’s Azkarra (21,564 units), FAW VW’s Magotan (20,920 units), Changan Auto’s Eado (20,664 units), and GAC Aion’s Aion Y (20,583 units), among which NEVs occupy the top three in terms of wholesale volume, with a clear dominance.
70,000 new energy passenger cars were exported in June, up 185.3% y/y, among which 89% were BEVs and 56% were A0- (accounting for the vast majority) and A00-class BEVs. Specifically, the export volumes were 20,645 units for SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle, 19,468 units for Tesla China, 10,536 units for BYD, 4,472 units for Dongfeng eGT, 2,933 units for SAIC-GM-Wuling, 2,121 units for smart, 1,972 units for Great Wall Motor, 1,670 units for Geely, 1,208 units for Chery, 1,201 units for Neta Auto, and 1,142 units for Dongfeng Sokon. Local brands such as SAIC Motor had a high export volume to Europe, and BYD’s export volume to Southeast Asia surged.
For emerging EV makers, retail shares totaled 12.8% in June, down 3.9% y/y. NIO, Li Auto, and Leapmotor maintained strong m/m (month-over-month) and y/y performance.
In terms of NEV wholesale volumes, Volkswagen sold 18,174 units this month, holding a large share of 58% in mainstream joint venture brands.

Market analysis and outlook
From January to June this year, China’s auto retail sales grew m/m in a row, a trend occurring for the first time this century, which is mainly due to the early 2023 Spring Festival, the price war in March, some consumers’ wait-and-see sentiment against auto promotions under the China-6b emission standards, the recent launch of a large number of new and cheap vehicles, the 618 shopping festival, and national level policy guidance for the auto industry such as promotion of spreading NEVs in rural areas by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China and the Ministry of Commerce of China. Coupled with such factors as regional auto shows, issuance of consumption coupons, and last year’s low base, the auto market continued to be hot in mid-to-late June.
In July 2023, there will be 21 working days, flat from the same period last year. As some automakers have an ample capacity for conventional ICE vehicles and a long high-temperature vacation, the auto market will enter a rest period. Extreme weather is expected to be frequent in the month, with high temperatures likely to impact daytime customer flow. Given last July’s ultra-high base caused by such factors as the policy of halving vehicle purchase tax implemented on June 1, 2022, negative growth should be normal for this July.
In addition, from January to May 2023, retail sales of exports of independent Chinese automakers increased by 47% y/y in local markets. Specifically, the May retail sales of exports of independent Chinese automakers increased by 61% y/y, continuing the good trend of growth. Recent changes in the CNY exchange rate are favorable for exports, which indicates that China’s July passenger car exports will maintain robust growth.
According to the CPCA, China’s cumulative NEV production has exceeded 20 million units, making the NEV a new driving force for China’s economic growth. However, such issues as “uneven development of passenger and commercial cars, room for improvement in regional market penetration rates, fluctuation of upstream raw materials, re-exploration of material systems and process capabilities, and construction of power replenishment infrastructure” persist in the NEV vehicle market. Additionally, the June announcement on continuing and optimizing purchase tax exemption policies for NEVs issued by three Chinese government agencies including the Ministry of Finance of China, as well as the June sharp fall in lithium carbonate prices, will benefit the NEV market in the long run.

Top 10 Chinese Passenger Car Makers by Retail Sales

Note: Data in the table refer to sales volumes of passenger cars including sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and minivans.
From a CPCA press release

Four Japanese OEMs announced their sales results in China for June 2022.
Toyota sold 200,100 units in June in China, reflecting a 19.2% year-over-year (y/y) increase. Year-to-date (YTD) sales from January to June totaled 904,400 units, reflecting a 6.8% y/y decline.
On July 5, Honda announced that its June sales reached 141,142 units, reflecting a y/y rise of 19.4%. YTD sales totaled 679,227 units, reflecting a 13.6% y/y decrease. YTD sales of models equipped with the SPORT HYBRID, a highly efficient dual-motor hybrid power system, totaled 100,022 units.
On July 6, Nissan announced that it sold 109,051 units in June, reflecting a 4.8% y/y decline in sales. YTD sales totaled 546,020 units, reflecting a 22.7% y/y decrease. By model, sales of the 7th-generation Altima sedan, the Sylphy series, the Venucia series, and the Dongfeng Infiniti increased in June.
Mazda sold 10,145 units in June, reflecting a 40.3% y/y decline. YTD sales totaled 59,547 units, reflecting a 38.5% y/y decline.
From a Honda China press release
From a Nissan China press release