China’s automobile market finished 2025 with record‑breaking numbers for car production and sales. New data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) show that total production and sales of vehicles both crossed the number of 34 million last year marking another strong year for the world’s largest auto market.
In 2025, China made 34.531 million vehicles, which is about 10% more than in 2024. During the same period, sales of cars reached 34.4 million units, which is around 9.4% higher than the year before. These figures set new record for the country’s auto industry.
China has now held the position as the world’s top car producer and seller for 17 years in a row. This long streak shows how strong and large China’s auto industry has become as compared with other countries.
A big part of this growth came from new energy vehicles (NEVs). These include electric vehicles (EVs) and plug‑in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). In 2025, China made and sold more than 16 million NEVs, which shows a nearly 30% increase from the 2024. More than half of the cars made and sold in China are NEVs.
China’s top position in NEV production and sales has continued for 11 years, making the country a global leader in electric vehicle manufacturing. This growth has been supported by a different new model launches, government policies, and rising consumer demand for reliable and more efficient cars.
Another important trend in 2025 was the growth in China’s used car market. The number of used car dealings crossed 20 million units in the year, which is also a record high. This rise helped reduce pressure on vehicle stock and made it easier for people to trade older cars for newer models.
China’s dominance in vehicle production and sales comes at a time when the global auto industry is facing instability. While some markets are slowing down, China’s market has remained strong due to regular constumer interest in both traditional cars and NEVs.
NEVs played a major role in exports as well, with Chinese car brands expanding their presence outside the country. Many new energy models were shipped to Europe, Southeast Asia, and other regions, helping China become one of the best performer in global vehicle exports.
Experts say that continuous growth in 2025 was supported by government policies, consumer trade‑in incentives, and strong range of product from Chinese car companies. These results helped encourage buyers to upgrade to newer vehicles and choose advanced electrified options.
Looking ahead, China’s auto market is expected to stay large and competitive in 2026, though some analysts expect overall sales growth might slow slightly due to changes in consumer demand and economic conditions. Still, the solid base made in 2025 shows China’s car industry can deal with problems and keep growing.