China's New Energy Vehicle Market Soars in March 2025: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Lead Growth

In March 2025, China's new energy car market continued its explosive growth, with car dealers reporting record-breaking sales across automobile segments. From sedans to pickups, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and battery cars dominated consumer preferences, driven by technological advancements and competitive pricing. Established automakers and emerging brands alike showcased robust performance, with Leapmotor emerging as the top-selling domestic EV startup.

Traditional Automakers: PHEVs Fuel Market Dominance
BYD maintained its industry leadership with 377,400 units sold in March, a 24.76% year-over-year (YoY) increase. The automaker’s annual cumulative sales surpassed 1 million units, up 59.81% YoY, driven by its diverse lineup of battery cars and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Similarly, Geely Auto reported 232,177 passenger car sales, a 54% YoY surge, with new energy car sales accounting for 52% of its total volume. Chery Group saw an 18.3% YoY sales jump to 214,800 units, including a 125.4% spike in new energy car deliveries. SAIC Motor, meanwhile, sold 385,742 vehicles in March, with battery car and PHEV sales growing 48.22% YoY.

New Energy Car Startups: Innovation Meets Demand
XPeng delivered 33,205 automobiles in March, marking a 268% YoY increase and its fifth consecutive month exceeding 30,000 units. Li Auto reported 36,674 sedan and SUV sales, up 26.5% YoY, while NIO delivered 15,000 vehicles. Leapmotor outperformed rivals with 37,095 units sold—a 154% YoY leap—boosted by its global strategy. Its C16 pickup gained traction in Europe, and the B10 sedan secured over 31,000 pre-orders.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Bridging Efficiency and Performance
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles have emerged as a critical growth driver, appealing to consumers seeking flexibility. BYD’s Dynasty and Ocean series, featuring advanced PHEV technology, contributed 350,615 units to its March sales. Geely’s Lynk & Co and Zeekr brands also emphasized PHEVs, with 119,696 new energy cars sold. SAIC’s PHEV-focused models, such as the Roewe RX5, saw production rise 49.57% YoY.

Battery Cars and Pickups: Expanding Market Horizons
Pure electric battery cars remain central to China’s green transition. XPeng’s G9 SUV and P7 sedan drove its record quarterly deliveries, while Chery’s Ice Cream EV pickup boosted exports by 2.7%. Car dealers highlight rising demand for pickups in commercial sectors, with brands like Great Wall Motor integrating PHEV tech into models like the Poer.

Outlook: Sustained Growth for New Energy Cars
With automobile giants and startups alike prioritizing innovation, China’s new energy car market shows no signs of slowing. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and battery cars will continue reshaping the industry, supported by infrastructure investments and policy incentives. For car dealers, aligning inventory with consumer demand for PHEVs, sedans, and pickups remains key to capitalizing on this booming sector.

Strategic Takeaways for Automobile Stakeholders

• Prioritize PHEV and battery car R&D to meet evolving regulations.

• Leverage car dealer networks to educate buyers on hybrid benefits.

• Target niche markets like electric pickups for commercial and lifestyle buyers.

• Optimize digital marketing to highlight new energy car affordability and sustainability.