China New Energy April 2019: BYD, Mercedes shine in market up 56.5%

The Xpeng G3 breaks its volume record and outsells both the Weltmeister EX5 and NIO ES8 for the first time.

Retail sales of New Energy vehicles in China including EVs, PHEVs and hybrids slow down their growth at +56.5% to 90.683 units in April but remain by far the last remaining island of positivity in China. The year-to-date volume is now up 96.8% to 352.820. BYD (+119.8%) is once again the best-selling New Energy brand thanks to sales more than doubling year-on-year, distancing Toyota (-1.5%), Mercedes (+79500%) and Lexus (+36.6%). Geely (+196.9%), Zhi Dou (+187.6%) and Honda (+185.3%) also impress in the Top 10. The Mercedes C-Class Hybrid is the best-selling model for the third time this year, easily outselling the Toyota Corolla Hybrid (-19.8%), BYD e5 (+16200%), Geely Emgrand EC7 PHEV (+155.5%) and Lexus ES Hybrids (+121.8%). The BYD Yuan EV is the best-selling new launch at #8, while among Chinese EV startups the Xpeng G3 (1.618) breaks its retail volume record to distance the Weltmeister EX5 (1.481) and NIO ES8 (1.125).

Previous month: China New Energy March 2019: BYD back in charge in marker up 111.5%

One year ago: China New Energy April 2018: Toyota, BYD and Roewe dominate

Full May 2019 Top 60 All-brands and Top 140 All-models below.