- China’s vehicle sales declined year-over-year in February 2026 due to fewer working days and the extended Spring Festival holiday.
- Exports of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and NEVs grew sharply, partially offsetting domestic market weakness.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers February 2026 vehicle sales report highlights a temporary slowdown in the automotive market caused by fewer working days during the extended Spring Festival holiday period. According to industry data released on March 11, total vehicle production and sales declined year-over-year as automakers faced operational constraints and reduced domestic demand. Despite these challenges, export performance remained strong across several vehicle categories, helping maintain overall market momentum during the first two months of 2026.
February 2026 Vehicle Production and Sales Overview
In February 2026, China’s automotive sector recorded total vehicle production of 1.672 million units and total vehicle sales of 1.805 million units. Compared with the same period last year, production fell by 20.5% while sales declined by 15.2%. Domestic sales accounted for 1.133 million units during the month, representing a sharp decline of 32.9% year-over-year. In contrast, exports reached 672,000 units, increasing significantly by 52.4% compared with February 2025 and highlighting growing global demand for vehicles produced in China.
| Category | February 2026 (Units) | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total Production | 1.672 million | -20.5% |
| Total Sales | 1.805 million | -15.2% |
| Domestic Sales | 1.133 million | -32.9% |
| Exports | 672,000 | +52.4% |
Passenger and Commercial Vehicle Market Performance
Passenger vehicles continued to represent the largest share of the Chinese automotive market, although sales experienced noticeable declines during February. Passenger vehicle production reached 1.400 million units while sales totaled 1.536 million units, reflecting year-over-year decreases of 21.6% and 15.4% respectively. Commercial vehicles also saw reduced monthly activity, with production at 273,000 units and sales at 269,000 units, declining by approximately 14% compared with the previous year.
Domestic Market Breakdown
Domestic demand remained weak across both passenger and commercial vehicle segments during February. Passenger vehicle domestic sales totaled 950,000 units, representing a substantial 34.2% year-over-year drop. Commercial vehicle domestic sales reached 183,000 units, declining by 24.7%. These reductions were largely attributed to the shortened production cycle during the holiday period and cautious purchasing behavior in the domestic market.
Year-to-Date Market Trends
During the first two months of 2026, cumulative production and sales also declined compared with the same period of the previous year. Total vehicle production reached 4.122 million units while total sales reached 4.152 million units, representing declines of 9.5% and 8.8% respectively. Passenger vehicle sales totaled 3.524 million units, while commercial vehicle sales reached 627,000 units, showing that commercial vehicles maintained relatively stronger performance within the overall market.
New Energy Vehicle Production and Sales Trends
The electrified vehicle segment also experienced slower growth during February, although it remains a key pillar of China’s automotive transition. New energy vehicle production reached 694,000 units and sales totaled 765,000 units, representing year-over-year declines of 21.8% and 14.2% respectively. Domestic NEV sales accounted for 483,000 units, representing 42.7% of all domestic vehicle sales during the month.
| NEV Category | February 2026 Sales | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) | 484,000 | -10.9% |
| Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHV) | 280,000 | -19.4% |
| Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) | 300 | +153.3% |
| Total NEV Sales | 765,000 | -14.2% |
Electrified Vehicle Mix
Battery electric vehicles remained the dominant segment within China’s new energy vehicle market. BEV production reached 458,000 units and sales reached 484,000 units during February. Plug-in hybrid vehicles recorded production of 236,000 units and sales of 280,000 units, while fuel cell vehicles maintained extremely small volumes despite rapid percentage growth. These figures indicate that while electrification remains a central industry trend, short-term fluctuations can occur due to seasonal and economic factors.
Strong Export Growth Across Vehicle Segments
Exports emerged as one of the most significant drivers of China’s automotive industry performance during early 2026. Passenger vehicle exports reached 586,000 units in February alone, representing an increase of 58.0% compared with the same month in the previous year. Commercial vehicle exports totaled 87,000 units, rising by 23.1%, while new energy vehicle exports reached 282,000 units and grew by an impressive 110% year-over-year.
Year-to-date export performance also demonstrated strong momentum. Passenger vehicle exports during the January–February period reached 1.174 million units, representing growth of 53.3%. Commercial vehicle exports totaled 178,000 units, increasing by 22.4%. New energy vehicle exports reached 583,000 units during the same period, again expanding by approximately 110%. These trends underline the growing international competitiveness of Chinese vehicle manufacturers as global demand for electrified and affordable vehicles continues to expand.
Overall, the February report released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reflects a market temporarily affected by seasonal factors and reduced working days, while also highlighting the structural growth potential of exports and electrified mobility across the Chinese automotive industry.
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