China New Energy May 2019: Market hiccups at -1.7%

Baojun E200.

New Energy vehicles include electric, hydrogen, PHEV and hybrid models, and in this update we are referring to retail sales including imports as these offer a much more complete picture of New Energy sales than wholesales alone. In May, sales of New Energy vehicles in China edge down -1.7% to 109.750 units, meaning the year-to-date tally is now up 79.7% to 524.157. Note many brands and models have had their January-April sales amended which means some YTD tallies jump up vs. last month.

BYD (+99.9%) ignores this hiccup and exactly doubles its sales year-on-year to cement its leading position, distancing Toyota (-17.1%), Honda (+550.2%) and Volkswagen up 166-fold thanks to the taking into account of the Passat Hybrid and Tiguan L PHEV. Roewe (-20.9%), JAC (+68.9%), Geely (+406.7%) and BAIC BJEV (-80.7%) follow. As for the Chinese EV startups, Xpeng ranks #13, Weltmeister #21, NIO #22 and Neta #25. Model-wise, the BYD e5 (+558.7%) dominates ahead of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid (-2.1%), BAIC EU-Series (+366.9%), VW Passat Hybrid and BYD Yuan EV. The Nissan Sylphy EV and Xpeng G3 break into the Top 10 for the first time.

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

One year ago: China New Energy May 2018: 13 Chinese models in Top 15

Full May 2019 Top 65 All-brands and Top 135 All-models below.