China Auto Exports Surpass 1 Million Units in June 2026
China Auto Exports Reach a Historic Milestone in June 2026
China auto exports reached a historic milestone in June 2026, surpassing 1 million vehicles in a single month for the first time, according to the latest data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on July 9, 2026.
The report shows that China exported 1.037 million vehicles in June, while total exports during the first half of the year reached 5.096 million units. Industry experts believe China auto exports could exceed 10 million vehicles in 2026, further strengthening China's position as one of the world's leading automotive exporters.
Beyond export growth, the report also highlights the continued expansion of new energy vehicles (NEVs), improving market performance, and the increasing competitiveness of Chinese automotive brands.
1. Overall Market Performance
In June 2026, China's automobile industry produced 2.76 million vehicles and sold 2.81 million vehicles, representing month-on-month growth of 5.5% and 6.9%, respectively. Compared with the same period last year, production declined by 1.2%, while sales fell by 3.2%.
From January to June, total vehicle production reached 14.993 million units, while sales totaled 15.017 million units, down 4.0% and 4.1% year-on-year. However, the decline continued to narrow compared with the first five months of the year.
Industry Comment
Chen Shihua, Deputy Secretary-General of CAAM, stated:
China's automotive market remained generally stable during the first half of the year. Although June recorded a larger year-on-year decline, the overall downward trend has continued to ease. The market is expected to improve further in the second half of 2026. Traditional gasoline-powered vehicles continue to experience faster sales declines and shrinking market share, placing greater pressure on conventional automakers.
2. Passenger Vehicles
In June:
- Production: 2.373 million units (+5.9% MoM, -2.8% YoY)
- Sales: 2.402 million units (+6.6% MoM, -5.3% YoY)
From January to June:
- Production: 12.721 million units (-5.9% YoY)
- Sales: 12.720 million units (-6.0% YoY)
Passenger vehicles remained the largest segment of China's automotive market despite softer year-on-year performance.
3. Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicles continued to outperform expectations.
In June:
- Production: 387,000 units (+3.3% MoM, +9.5% YoY)
- Sales: 409,000 units (+8.5% MoM, +10.7% YoY)
From January to June:
- Production: 2.272 million units (+8.2% YoY)
- Sales: 2.297 million units (+8.3% YoY)
Industry Comment
Chen Shihua noted that the commercial vehicle market performed better than expected, although different vehicle categories continued to show varying growth trends.
4. New Energy Vehicles (NEVs)
China's new energy vehicle market maintained strong growth in June.
In June:
- Production: 1.598 million units (+26.0% YoY)
- Sales: 1.643 million units (+23.6% YoY)
NEVs accounted for 58.5% of all new vehicle sales during the month.
From January to June:
- Production: 7.438 million units (+6.7% YoY)
- Sales: 7.446 million units (+7.3% YoY)
NEVs represented 49.6% of total new vehicle sales in the first half of the year.
Industry Comment
According to Chen Shihua:
The NEV market continued to grow steadily in June, with market penetration reaching 58.5%. Domestic penetration exceeded 60%, indicating that new energy vehicles have become the mainstream choice in China's passenger vehicle market.
5. China Auto Exports Surpass One Million Units in a Single Month
China's automobile exports achieved a historic breakthrough in June.
In June:
- Exports: 1.037 million vehicles
- Month-on-month growth: 11.6%
- Year-on-year growth: 75.1%
This marks the first time China's monthly automobile exports have exceeded one million units.
From January to June:
- Exports: 5.096 million vehicles
- Year-on-year growth: 65.3%
Industry Comment
Chen Shihua commented:
June marked the first time in history that China's monthly automobile exports surpassed one million vehicles. Total exports during the first half of the year also exceeded five million units for the first time. While maintaining a cautious outlook, CAAM believes China's annual automobile exports could exceed 10 million vehicles in 2026.
6. Chinese Passenger Vehicle Brands Continue to Gain Market Share
Chinese passenger vehicle brands maintained strong market leadership.
In June:
- Sales: 1.812 million units
- Year-on-year growth: 6.2%
- Market share: 75.5%
From January to June:
- Sales: 9.138 million units
- Year-on-year change: -1.4%
- Market share: 71.8%
Industry Comment
Chen Shihua stated that Chinese passenger vehicle brands have continued to maintain a high market share, demonstrating strong competitiveness in the domestic market.
Outlook
The latest CAAM data shows that China's automobile industry continues to strengthen its position in the global market, driven by rapid growth in new energy vehicles and record-breaking export performance.
With monthly exports surpassing one million vehicles for the first time and first-half exports exceeding five million units, China's automotive industry is on track for another landmark year. If current momentum continues, annual vehicle exports could exceed 10 million units in 2026, further reinforcing China's role as one of the world's leading automotive manufacturing and export hubs.
If you have a need to buy China used cars, or if you run a car business, we’re here to help. As a leading exporter with over 30 years of experience, DDong Used Car offers a wide range of vehicle brands (100+), efficient logistics, and after-sales support.
Contact us today to learn more. Simply let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll provide you with an unmatched sourcing experience. Explore our news section for more automotive insights and tips for running a successful dealership.
