China retail June 2025: Market up 22.7%, VW up 25.9%, AITO and Leapmotor break records

AITO breaks its volume record in June thanks to the new M8.

Today we can share with you All brands and All models retail sales data for China in June. After growing by 16.4% in May, sales of the selection of vehicles included in this report shoot up 22.7% year-on-year this month to 2,101,232 units. As a result, the H1 2025 volume is up 12.1% to 10,512,132. 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.

This month BYD (+15.6%) still trails its home market but signs its best monthly volume so far this year and first time above 300,000 units. The Song L (+491.7%), Seal 06 (+223.1%), Dolphin (+116%), Qin L (+76.1%), Yuan Up (+76.1%) as well as successful launches such as the Seal 05 (13,767) and Sealion 05 (13,756) keep the brand afloat. Strikingly this month Volkswagen (+25.9%) advances faster than BYD even though it remains at a safe distance. Many of the German brand’s models post fantastic – and rare – gains, such as the Tharu (+228.9%), Tiguan L (+88%), Golf (+46.1%), Magotan (+43.1%), Tayron (+42.2%), Bora (+34.4%) and Passat (+29.2%). 

Volkswagen beats the market in June.

Geely (+118.8%) continues to surge year-on-year, also delivering its strongest monthly volume of 2025. The brand is helped by the new Xingyuan (record 42,865 units) and the Galaxy new energy lineup at over 40,000 units also (+90.7%). Toyota (+10.8%) disappoints in context but stays in 4th place ahead of Wuling (+78.9%) and Changan (+49.7%) both easily beating the market. Tesla (+6.5%) is stable and is up 7 spots on May to #7 as end of quarters are always stronger for the American manufacturer. Honda (-18.8%) freefalls again while Nissan (+8.5%) climbs back into the Top 10 for the first time since October, ending a streak of 7 consecutive months of decline. This is thanks to strong Sylphy sales (+5.8%) and the success of the new N7 BEV sedan (6,184 sales this month).

All German premium brands are in negative: BMW loses -17.3%, Mercedes is at -13.7% and Audi at -4.8%. In contrast both AITO (+3.6%) and Leapmotor (+154.2%) break their all time monthly volume records. Buick (+49.4%) confirms it is back in great shape at #16. Li Auto (-24.6%) endures a worrying drop after more than doubling its sales YoY in May. Xpeng (+228.9%) posts its 2nd best ever monthly tally at #19, with Haval (+39.2%) also in great shape in the remainder of the Top 20. Xiaomi is up 102.8% but drops to #24, while Fang Cheng Bao (+616.4%) celebrates one year in market by smashing its monthly volume record at 18,275. Bestune (+183.8%), Roewe (+85.7%) and Nevo (+55.5%) also shine below.

Could the N7 revive Nissan sales in China?

Model-wise, as it did in the wholesales ranking, the Tesla Model Y (+11.1%) is back in charge for the 2nd time this year after last March. It now ranks #5 year-to-date. The new Geely Xingyuan isn’t far off and breaks its volume record as mentioned above. The BYD Qin Plus (-5%) is down one spot on May to a still very satisfying third place but ranks #4 YTD whereas it lead the overall charts over the Full Year 2024. The Wuling Hongguang mini EV (+192.8%) continues to take full advantage of its new 4-door variant and repeats at #4 ahead of the BYD Qin L (+76.1%). Mediocre result for the BYD Seagull (-13.1%) down to #6. The VW Lavida (+20.8%) is up one rank on last month to #7, distancing the Nissan Sylphy (+5.8%) and BYD Song Plus (-21.2%) with the BYD Seal 06 (+223.1%) closing out the Top 10. The AITO M8 shoots up 20 spots on May to #18.

Previous month: China retail May 2025: Sales up 16.4%, Geely up 74.1%, places Xingyuan #1 YTD

One year ago:  China June 2024: Market sinks -12.1%, AITO, Zeekr break records

Full June 2025 Top 126 All brands and Top 737 All models below.