China retail June 2024: Market sinks -12.1%, AITO, Zeekr break records

Zeekr breaks its monthly volume record in June.

We can share with you today All brands and All models retail sales data for China in June. Sales for the selection of vehicles included in this report drop a harsh -12.1% year-on-year to 1,672,270 units, yet the H1 2024 tally remains in positive at +1.6% to 9,341,643. BSCB is the only non-Chinese medium to cover both wholesales (ex-factory shipments) and retail sales data for China so you can get the most complete picture of the largest new car market in the world. Retail sales tend to give a more authentic picture of the market as they roughly correspond to registrations by end-customers and are more difficult to artificially boost with exports which can sometimes be the case for wholesales data.

As usual BYD (+16%) defies the negative market with a splendid year-on-year uptick. The Destroyer 05 (+165.2%), Seagull (+105.2%) and Seal (+62.4%) lead the way in terms of progression, but what tilts the brand in clear positive is an array of very successful new arrivals including the Qin L with 17,581 sales for its first month in market, the Yuan UP (8,158) and Seal 06 (7,174). The next four brands all fall faster than the market, with Volkswagen (-24.7%), Toyota (-19.6%) and Honda (-35.9%) all in hell and Geely (-24.6%) also very weak although part of its sales have transferred to the Galaxy brand which we count separately. Note BYD sells 110,000 units more than Volkswagen this month.

The AITO M9 scores a new volume record in June.

BMW (+2.7%) shines and advances two spots on May to #6 overall, overtaking Tesla (-21.3%) in difficulty while Audi (-18.1%) and Mercedes (-10.7%) also struggle. AITO (+851.1%) smashes its monthly volume record by almost 10,000 units, lifting it to 42,723 vs. 33,086 last January. The brand also reaches a ranking record at #13. Buick (-50.5%) is in freefall at #18. Li Auto (+46.1%), Jetour (+71.4%), TANK (+83.8%) and NIO (+78.7%) are all euphoric, Lynk & Co (+8.4%) is solid and Zeekr (+87.9%) snaps a new monthly record at 17,828 sales. Newcomer Xiaomi is up six ranks on last month to #31 and crosses the 10,000 monthly sales barrier for the first time.

Looking at the models ranking in isolation, the BYD Qin Plus (+11.4%) holds onto the top spot, keeping the Tesla Model Y (-21.6%) at bay. The Seagull (+105.2%) and Song Plus (+15.5%) make it three BYD models inside the Top 4 while the Nissan Sylphy (-23.6%) makes sure the Top 5 models are unchanged on last month. The Toyota Front Lander (+32.6%) is a beacon of hope for the Japanese brand, climbing a further four spots on May to a record 6th place. The BYD Yuan Plus (#7), Destroyer 05 (#11), Song Pro (#12) and Han (#13) mean there are 7 BYDs in the Top 13. The Li L6 lands directly at a formidable 9th place for its first month in market. The AITO M7 (+1795.8%!) surges 51 ranks on last month to #14 and the AITO M9 is at its highest ever monthly tally at over 17,000 sales.

Previous month: China retail May 2024: Market off -6.7%, NIO and Zeekr at record levels, Toyota Front Lander in Top 10

One year ago: China retail June 2023: BYD, Li Auto stand out

Full June 2024 Top 109 All brands and Top 607 All models below.