China auto sales hit 15 million in the first half of 2025, marking a historic milestone for the world’s largest car market. The latest data, released Thursday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), shows strong year-on-year growth in both production and sales, with new-energy vehicles (NEVs) leading the charge.
China produced 15.62 million vehicles from January to June. This figure reflects a 12.5% increase from the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, total vehicle sales reached 15.65 million units, a rise of 11.4% year-on-year. This is the first time China auto sales hit 15 million in the first half of any year.
NEVs played a key role in this growth. Manufacturers produced 6.97 million NEVs during the period. Sales closely followed at 6.94 million units. That represents over 40% growth year-on-year for both production and sales. NEVs accounted for 44.3% of all new cars sold in China during the first half of the year.
Industry experts link this growth to several factors. The car trade-in policy continues to boost domestic demand. According to CAAM, trade-in applications reached 4.12 million by May 31. This policy has provided a solid foundation for rising consumer confidence and improved auto sales.
The domestic market wasn’t the only one to see gains. China’s car exports are also surging. Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), highlighted this trend. He explained that new ships and logistics improvements have enhanced China’s export capacity. Chinese automakers can now deliver cars more efficiently to overseas markets.
Cui noted that China auto sales hit 15 million thanks to both strong domestic performance and rising exports. He added that full-year auto sales could exceed 33 million units. He believes this goal is realistic if current growth trends continue.
Moreover, retail passenger car sales in June alone totaled 2.084 million units. That’s an 18.1% rise from a year ago and a 7.6% increase from May. These gains suggest that the market remains strong heading into the second half of the year. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China is expanding its shipping fleet and rail logistics. These efforts also include building overseas factories. As a result, Chinese auto exports have grown significantly.
Looking forward, experts expect more gains. Continued trade-in subsidies and new product launches should help keep consumer interest high. Analysts agree that the combination of NEV growth, policy support, and improved logistics will likely sustain China’s auto momentum throughout 2025. As demand grows both at home and abroad, the auto sector looks set for another record-breaking year.