China's June 2024 Electric Vehicle Sales Report: Market Shifts & Top Performers

New Energy Car Market Overview

June 2024 marked a significant milestone for China's automobile sector. Retail penetration of new energy cars surged to 48.55%, a substantial 13.43 percentage point jump compared to June 2023 (35.12%). Total retail sales of electric vehicles reached 857,000 units, representing a robust 28.83% year-over-year (YoY) increase. Within this, pure battery car sales hit 493,000 units (up 9.95% YoY), while plug-in hybrid car sales soared to 364,000 units (up an impressive 67.84% YoY). The market momentum for electric vehicles is undeniable.

Top Manufacturers: Leaders & Movers

The top 10 manufacturers collectively sold 658,000 new energy cars, accounting for a dominant 77% of the total market. BYD Auto solidified its leadership position, selling 280,095 units, a 21.1% YoY increase. Chery Auto and Seres Group delivered truly explosive growth, surging 225.2% and 633.3% respectively. However, Tesla China and GAC Aion experienced declines, with sales down approximately 20% and 27% YoY. This highlights the fiercely competitive nature of the electric vehicle landscape.

Best-Selling Models: SUVs Dominate

Analysis of the top-selling electric vehicle models reveals interesting trends. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) secured six spots in the top rankings, while pure battery cars took the remaining four. The SUV body style proved highly popular, claiming five positions in the top 10. Here's the breakdown of key performers:

1. Tesla Model Y: Remained the top-selling electric vehicle overall with 41,110 units sold, though this reflected a 20.1% YoY decrease. This SUV continues to set the benchmark.

2. BYD Seagull: Emerged as a major success story, with sales skyrocketing 112.6% YoY to 35,201 units, making it a formidable new contender in the car segment.

3. BYD Yuan PLUS & Li Auto L6: Both models followed closely, each surpassing 23,000 units in sales and showing modest YoY growth. The L6 SUV made a particularly strong entry.

4. BYD Destroyer : Demonstrated outstanding performance, with sales reaching 19,441 units – a massive 144.8% YoY surge.

5. BYD Qin PLUS DM & Song PLUS DM-i: While experiencing slight sales dips compared to last year, these PHEV stalwarts maintained their strong market presence. Both models are crucial SUV and sedan offerings in their segments.

6. BYD Song Pro DM-i: Another consistently popular SUV within the top ranks.

Market Challenges: Rising Consumer Concerns

Alongside growth, the new energy car market faces emerging consumer issues. Price fluctuation complaints surged significantly, with BYD models (Qin PLUS, Han, Destroyer 05) frequently cited as owners cried foul over substantial post-purchase price cuts.