ICE Car Gross sales Crash 49%(!) Whereas EV Share Jumps to 67%(!) — China EV Gross sales Report for September

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Excessive gasoline costs and a unending wave of recent BEVs has allowed September to succeed in 67% EV market share, a brand new file!

Nevertheless, whereas file market share was achieved up to now because of robust EV gross sales, this time, the file achievement is because of a big ICE (inside combustion engine) crash. The general market dropped 28% 12 months over 12 months (YoY), to round 1.6 million gross sales. Plugins had been down 17% YoY, however pure ICE gross sales had been a lot worse off, crashing 49% YoY!

Including 45% BEV share to PHEVs (22% share) meant that, in September, a file 67% of all vehicles bought in China had a plug! If this pattern continues sooner or later, the Chinese language market can be totally electrified by 2030, and can be 100% BEV earlier than 2035!

This nice consequence pulled the 2026 share up, to 58%, already 4% above the complete 12 months results of 2025. BEVs on their very own had been as much as 39% (versus 33% in 2025).

At this tempo, I count on the ultimate quantity for 2026 EV share in China to be above 60%, with BEVs alone north of the 40% mark. And when the most important international automotive market will get this electrified … then the ICE trade is in deep trouble.

The ICE extinction can be seen within the general rating. Though, this month, we must always spotlight that two ICE fashions reached the highest 10, each coming from the Toyota steady — the Corolla Cross in eighth and the RAV4 in tenth.

Though it might sound unusual to spotlight the truth that ICE fashions reached the general high 10, this follows the identical logic of “information shouldn’t be when a canine bites a person, however when a person bites a canine,” which means that in the previous few months it has change into regular to have a 100% plugin general high 10 in China, so when ICE fashions return to the highest 10, it’s information, as a result of that’s now not the norm.

Taking a look at the most effective sellers in a number of dimension classes, the ICE extinction can be fairly seen. Though, as soon as once more, the C-segment/compact class is the exception, with the one ICE consultant exhibiting up there — the Toyota Corolla Cross, in 2nd, behind the chief Nevo Q05 and simply forward of the BYD Dolphin.

Having a fast take a look at the 5 dimension classes, the spotlight is the smaller class, which is lastly again to first rate volumes. The Bestune Xiaoma confirmed up in a stunning 2nd place.

One other spotlight is the truth that the brand new BYD Nice Tang, the automaker’s new flagship SUV, joined the rostrum — in third, behind the Xiaomi BEV fashions.

Right here’s extra information and commentary on September’s high promoting electrical fashions:

#1 — Tesla Mannequin Y

The prolonged wheelbase model, imaginatively known as “L,” helps the Mannequin Y’s fortunes in China. In September, deliveries reached 50,359 models, which allowed it to win the month-to-month finest vendor prize. Nonetheless, deliveries slid 2% in comparison with September 2025. The long-wheelbase model is proving to be of huge assist to the US crossover, preserving the Mannequin Y’s gross sales afloat, however new variants can solely accomplish that a lot. When most direct opponents are transitioning to 800V platforms and including new options, the six-year-old Mannequin Y is beginning to look a bit previous. Nonetheless, the Tesla crossover has sufficient demand to offer it a podium place this 12 months. Subsequent 12 months, although? Arduous to see it getting there.

#2 — Geely Xingyuan

A BYD Dolphin for BYD Seagull cash ($10,000). This was Geely’s inside memo to explain the components for the Geely Xingyuan when creating its star mannequin. With an attention-grabbing identify — Xingyuan interprets as “wishing upon a star” — plainly Geely had its want granted. Nevertheless, the Geely mannequin misplaced the most effective vendor trophy in September, with its 44,275 registrations representing an 8% drop YoY. Proof that the competitors by no means sleeps in China, Geely’s hatchback now has to cope with Leapmotor’s B-segment contenders, the A10 and A05; the new-generation Wuling Bingo; Chery’s new QQ3; let’s not neglect about BYD’s Yuan Up; and, above all, there’s the new-generation BYD Seagull, which has only one aim — to steal the Xingyuan’s finest vendor crown in 2026.

#3 — BYD Music (BEV+PHEV)

BYD’s midsize SUV continues to implement the transition to the brand new era. Because of the ramp-up of the brand new Extremely physique, BYD’s star participant was third, scoring 30,603 registrations. Gross sales had been up by 25% in comparison with the identical month final 12 months. As soon as the brand new era is totally ramped up, the Music will as soon as once more be a fierce adversary for the competitors to beat. The brand new Extremely era options lidar and 1,500 kW DC charging, and these two options aren’t even essentially the most spectacular facet of the mannequin! That might be the worth. It begins at 152,000 yuan (or $22,000) with the 76 kWh battery, and it goes as much as 180,000 yuan (or $26,000) with the 83 kWh battery. For comparability, the Tesla Mannequin Y begins in China at 259,000 yuan ($38,250)…. Count on the Music to expertise a second youth within the second half of the 12 months, and whereas it’s not possible to displace the Tesla Mannequin Y from the runner-up spot, the final place on the rostrum is doable this 12 months. And possibly gold in 2027?

#4 — Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 (BEV+PHEV)

BYD’s premium arm Fang Cheng Bao has successful on its arms. This large Land Rover SUV, the Ti (Tai?) 7, scored 27,544 registrations final month, a brand new 12 months finest. The BEV variations of this Chinese language Defender had been lately launched (92 & 106 kWh batteries), together with with Flash Charging know-how, they usually have been promoting like scorching truffles now that the market is shifting to pure electrics. Because of a profitable (and boxy) design, aggressive specs, and a pleasant inside, for its value vary, that is a type of fashions that simply begs to be despatched abroad — going after not solely the posh SUVs of premium manufacturers, but in addition the gasoline guzzling Land Cruisers and Patrols of this world.

#5 — BYD Yuan Up

BYD’s small crossover continues to shock, because of lately improved specs. BYD’s workforce participant rose to fifth in September, scoring 22,767 registrations, which however was a 12% decline YoY…. Regardless of not being essentially the most thrilling car to have a look at, or drive, the reality is that it scores excessive in worth for cash, with costs beginning at $11,000 and better finish variations having BYD’s driver-assistance system. With small automobiles at the moment having a second in China, count on the small crossover to indicate up within the high 5 occasionally.

Taking a look at the remainder of the most effective vendor desk, the spotlight is no doubt the model new MG 07, which landed with a bang by delivering a big 14,577 models proper in its touchdown month.

With a sporty design that reminds considered one of a sure mannequin from a sure Stuttgart model, the reality is that the enticing midsize fastback has every little thing to problem the class leaders — the Xiaomi SU7, BYD Seal 06, and Tesla Mannequin 3. It’s bought each in PHEV and BEV variations, particularly contemplating that it has a ready listing within the tens of 1000’s.

As for the second half of the desk, two small BEVs deserve a point out. The brand new Chery QQ3 EV was in 18th because of a file 12,688 registrations, whereas FAW’s Bestune Xiaoma had a shock look on the desk, in twentieth, because of some 12,500 registrations.

Exterior the highest 20, the primary occasion was the ramp-up of Xpeng’s new child, the Mona L03, which with some 12,000 registrations in September certain seems to be near becoming a member of the highest 20. The identical could be stated in regards to the Leapmotor A05, which had across the similar variety of deliveries because the Mona L03. It’s one other Leapmotor mannequin near becoming a member of the desk quickly.

This was a month with loads of important debuts. Moreover the aforementioned MG 07, a number of different fashions began their careers on a excessive observe. There’s Xiaomi’s Sky Nomad twins (the N70 had some 7,000 deliveries, whereas the bigger N90 had round 5,000). There’s additionally the Geely Galaxy TT, the make’s reply to the Xiaomi SU7, which had near 7,000 deliveries — an identical quantity to the VW ID.ERA 5S, Volkswagen’s newest try to cease the gross sales bleeding and persuade earlier VW Lavida homeowners to stick with the model.

Trying on the 2026 rating, the rostrum remained the identical, and except one thing sudden occurs, it ought to keep as it’s till the tip of the 12 months, with the small Geely repeating its 2025 win. That additionally means the Tesla Mannequin Y will return to silver after getting bronze in 2025, and the BYD Music will get again onto the rostrum after a one-year absence.

Beneath the rostrum positions, although, there was some information. The Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 took revenue from one other optimistic month and went as much as 4th, with the BYD Yuan Up and Leapmotor A10 following swimsuit, in sixth and seventh, respectively.

Within the second half of the desk, the BYD Dolphin was as much as twelfth, all whereas one more BYD joined the desk, the Seal 06 in nineteenth. Meaning there are 7 BYDs within the high 20, not counting the FCB Ti7….

Trying on the general producer rating, it’s a sea of pink. Everyone seems to be dropping gross sales — large time. Tesla’s 9% drop and Xiaomi’s 5% fall could be thought of a win in mild of the truth that most of their opponents are experiencing 20%-plus drops.

So, if the massive boys on high are crashing, who’s profitable?

Leapmotor. The Hangzhou startup proceed to defy logic and was up an incredible 31% YoY, to 78,000 registrations. And with loads of contemporary metallic coming in (the A10 and A05 ramping up, the D19, the D99…), count on gross sales to proceed on the best way up, endangering the positions of not solely VW and Toyota as they attempt to adapt to the brand new realities of the market, however even large shot Geely.

I imply, it simply takes Leapmotor’s A10 and A05 beginning to steal related gross sales from the Geely Xingyuan, and Geely might see its silver medal slip from its arms and into Leapmotor’s….

Lengthy story quick: the Chinese language automotive market is at the moment a story of two totally different markets — a shrinking previous ICE one, the place overseas legacy OEMs nonetheless maintain the bulk, and the more and more extra important EV market, the place native manufacturers dominate the panorama.

Trying on the auto model rating, there’s actually not a lot information. Chief BYD is agency within the management place (17.2%), whereas runner-up Geely nonetheless hasn’t managed to cease its market share from sliding, now all the way down to 7.1%.

Which means that rising Leapmotor (6.5%, up 0.1%) is quick approaching Geely. It wouldn’t be stunning if the startup model change into the brand new silver medalist within the closing days of the 12 months.

In the meantime, Tesla (4.9%, up from 4.7% in August) gained some floor over #5 Wuling (4.6%, down 0.1%). Count on Tesla to maintain the #4 place, as its September peak ought to assist it acquire a ways over Wuling.

Taking a look at OEMs/automotive teams/alliances, BYD is main, with 21.8% share of the market, up 0.1% in September. The chief is benefitting from the continued success of Fang Cheng Bao, and from a robust popping out month for Denza.

In the meantime, #2 Geely misplaced 0.1% share and acquired all the way down to 11.8%, however the multinational conglomerate nonetheless has the runner-up spot secured.

#3 SAIC was steady (8%) and remained agency within the final place on the rostrum, whereas Changan misplaced the #4 place, to rising Leapmotor (6.5%, up 0.1%). Will we see the startup problem #3 SAIC in 2027?