BEV Sales Surge: A Record-Breaking Month in China
In September, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) set new milestones in China’s automotive market, accounting for 37% of total car sales. While plugin vehicles reached an impressive 1.3 million units sold, marking a 6% year-over-year growth in a 2.2-million-unit market, the pace of expansion has shown signs of slowing. Nevertheless, BEVs have shown remarkable growth, climbing 29% to 826,000 units, a record high. Conversely, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) experienced a 3% decline, with sales totaling around 469,000 units.
The cumulative sales of plugin vehicles for the year have now surpassed 8.9 million units. With this momentum, reaching the 10 million mark seems likely in the near future, potentially by November. As of September, the market share for plugins reached 58%, a 5% increase compared to the same month last year. BEVs alone captured 37% of the market, indicating that more than half of the new cars sold in China now feature a plug-in technology.
Export Dynamics and Market Trends
China’s automotive exports witnessed a significant surge in September, with a 97% year-over-year increase. Interestingly, while 40% of exported passenger cars were plugins, the export market remains less electrified compared to domestic sales. PHEVs, which now account for 33% of Chinese plugin exports, have been a significant driver of this growth, up from 17% a year ago.
Top-Selling Models and Market Shifts
In the competitive landscape of China’s auto market, September saw only two fully fossil-fueled models in the top 10 rankings. The Nissan Sylphy secured the 5th position, while the Geely Boyue, a Chinese crossover, demonstrated exceptional growth by doubling its sales year-over-year. However, the trend suggests that the dominance of pure ICE models in the top spots is waning, with a fully plugin top 10 lineup anticipated in the future.
Segment-wise, all but the C segment (compact cars) had 100% plugin podiums, highlighting the challenges faced in converting this segment to electric vehicles. Notably, Xiaomi’s YU7 emerged as the leader in the full-size category, with its sports sedan, the SU7, also making a strong showing. Meanwhile, the BYD Song has been overshadowed by the newly introduced BYD Sealion 06, which is now competing with the Tesla Model Y.
Leading Electric Vehicle Models
Wuling HongGuang Mini EV
The Wuling HongGuang Mini EV capitalized on its recent design overhaul, achieving 51,743 registrations in September, a 79% year-over-year increase. This tiny EV, with its panda-like design and upgraded features, has shed its minimalist image while maintaining an affordable price point, starting at $5,500.
Tesla Model Y
In September, the Tesla Model Y recorded 51,173 deliveries, a 6% increase year-over-year, aided by the introduction of a new 6-seat version. However, competition from models like the Xiaomi YU7, which received a substantial number of pre-orders, poses a challenge for Tesla’s market position.
Geely Geome Xingyuan
Geely’s Geome Xingyuan continued its record-breaking streak with 48,080 units sold in September, making it a formidable competitor in the market. Priced at approximately $11,000, the Xingyuan offers a competitive package that has resonated well with consumers.
BYD Qin Plus (BEV+PHEV)
Despite a modest 1% year-over-year sales increase, the BYD Qin Plus achieved 39,132 registrations in September, securing its place as the top-selling sedan in China across all powertrains.
BYD Sealion 06 (BEV+PHEV)
BYD’s Sealion 06, a midsize crossover, made a strong debut with 30,532 registrations in its second full month on the market. Positioned at around $22,000, the Sealion 06 boasts impressive specs, including a superior battery for the PHEV version and 800V architecture for the BEV model.
Market Leaders and Emerging Trends
In the broader brand rankings for plugin vehicles, BYD maintained its leadership with a 25.4% market share, while Geely, at 10.2%, trailed behind. Wuling and Tesla vied for the third spot, with Tesla showing slight gains. Meanwhile, Leapmotor demonstrated significant growth, capturing a substantial share of the market.
Among automotive groups, BYD held a dominant position with 28.7% of the market, followed by Geely with a 12.3% share. Tesla, though maintaining its 5th place, faces challenges in replicating its past successes in the Chinese market, with emerging competitors like Xiaomi and Xpeng rapidly gaining ground.
Original Story at cleantechnica.com