China’s retail sales of electric vehicles fell 11% year-on-year in April 2026 to 614,000 units, as weaker domestic demand offset gains from the country’s top carmakers abroad [1].
BYD sold 321,123 vehicles in April, down more than 15% from a year earlier but up nearly 7% from March, showing a pickup from the previous month even as annual sales softened [1]. Its overseas shipments hit a record 135,098 units, up 70.8% from a year earlier [1].
Geely sold 235,164 vehicles in April, edging up 0.45% year-on-year and outpacing March’s 0.37% growth [1]. Its exports rose to 83,186 units, up 244.7% from a year earlier and the fastest monthly export growth this year [1].
Chery Automobile sold 251,386 petrol and electric cars in April, up 25% from a year earlier, while exports climbed 102.4% to 177,573 units [1].
The April figures point to a split in China’s auto market, with local demand under pressure while exporters continued to lean on overseas sales [1].
