--- title: "China NEV retail sales fall 12% year-on-year in first 17 days of May" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/287065148.md" description: "In the first 17 days of May, China's retail sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) fell 12% year-on-year to 400,000 units, despite a retail penetration rate of 58.9%. Year-to-date, cumulative NEV sales reached 3.158 million units, down 17% from last year. Overall passenger vehicle sales also declined by 23% year-on-year, totaling 680,000 units. However, there was an 18% increase in NEV sales compared to the previous month, indicating resilient demand post-May Day holiday." datetime: "2026-05-20T12:24:17.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/287065148.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287065148.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/287065148.md) --- # China NEV retail sales fall 12% year-on-year in first 17 days of May > - NEVs continue to dominate China's passenger vehicle market, with the retail penetration rate reaching 58.9% from May 1 to 17. > - NEV wholesale penetration climbed to 59.9% during the May 1-17 period. (A Chery model on display at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2026. Image credit: CnEVPost) Retail sales of passenger new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China stood at 400,000 units from May 1 to 17, down 12% year-on-year but up 18% from the same period last month, according to data released Wednesday by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). This indicates that NEV demand remained relatively resilient following the release of orders during the May Day holiday, the CPCA said. NEVs continued to dominate the Chinese passenger vehicle market, with the retail penetration rate reaching 58.9% between May 1 and May 17. Join us on Telegram or Google News Year-to-date, cumulative retail sales of passenger NEVs in China totaled 3.158 million units, a 17% decline compared to the same period last year. On the wholesale front, China's passenger NEV sales reached 396,000 units in the first 17 days of May, down 9% year-on-year but up 12% from the same period last month. The NEV wholesale penetration rate climbed to 59.9% during the May 1-17 period, reflecting manufacturers' continued pivot toward NEV models. Overall passenger vehicle retail sales in China stood at 680,000 units from May 1 to 17, dropping 23% year-on-year but rising 23% month-on-month. Year-to-date, China's cumulative overall passenger vehicle retail sales reached 6.285 million units, down 19% from a year earlier. In the first week of May (May 1-5), average daily retail sales of passenger vehicles in China were 30,934 units, down 26% year-on-year but up 26% from the same period in April. In the second week of May (May 6-10), average daily retail sales of passenger vehicles were 50,536 units, down 17% year-on-year but up 43% from the same period in April. In the third week of May (May 11-17), average daily retail sales of passenger vehicles were 39,019 units, down 26% year-on-year but up 7% from the same period in April. Wholesale passenger vehicle sales in China from May 1 to 17 totaled 660,000 units, down 18% year-on-year but up 2% month-on-month. From May 1 to 5, average daily wholesale sales of passenger vehicles were 19,328 units, down 44% year-on-year and down 24% from the same period last month. From May 6 to 10, average daily wholesale sales of passenger vehicles were 44,728 units, down 8% year-on-year but up 29% from the same period last month. From May 11 to 17, average daily wholesale sales of passenger vehicles were 48,602 units, down 12% year-on-year and down 2% from the same period last month. Year-to-date, cumulative wholesale passenger vehicle sales in China reached 8.637 million units, a 7% decrease compared to the same period last year. Automakers' share in China's NEV market in April: BYD ranks first with 21.4%, Tesla falls out of top 10 In the overall passenger car market, BYD ranked first in retail sales in April with a 13.2% share. ### Related Stocks - [KARS.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/KARS.US.md) - [09845.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/09845.HK.md) - [515030.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/515030.CN.md) - [516380.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/516380.CN.md) - [01211.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/01211.HK.md) - [002594.CN](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/002594.CN.md) - [TSLA.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/TSLA.US.md) - [HYDD.SG](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/HYDD.SG.md) - [BYDDY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BYDDY.US.md) - [BYDDF.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BYDDF.US.md) - [81211.HK](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/81211.HK.md) ## Related News & Research - [BYD delays flagship electric SUV launch as preorders surge to over 100,000](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286797437.md) - [Top automakers by China NEV exports in April: BYD 130,042 units, Chery 57,910](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286351868.md) - [Growth in global electric vehicle sales expected to continue in 2026](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287007295.md) - [BYD Exported More Vehicles In April Than Tesla Sold Worldwide*](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286323708.md) - [Key facts: Li Auto L9 uses FlexNoC/Magillem for 2,560 TOPS; shares fall](https://longbridge.com/en/news/286979573.md)