Luxury car sales in China dropped significantly last month as consumers increasingly favor electric vehicles over traditional petrol-powered models.
Key facts
- •Luxury auto brand sales in China fell to 162,224 vehicles last month.
- •The monthly sales figure represents a 29.5 per cent decline year-on-year.
- •Deliveries of luxury cars in the first half of the year totaled 967,929 units.
- •First-half luxury car deliveries slumped 17.9 per cent compared to the previous year.
- •International brands like BMW, Jaguar, and Infiniti are among those facing pressure from domestic EV competitors.
International luxury car brands, including Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, experienced a sharp decline in sales in China last month. Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) shows that luxury auto brands sold 162,224 vehicles, marking a 29.5 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2025.
By the numbers
Shift toward electric vehicles
The luxury segment in China is facing increased competition from domestic electric vehicle manufacturers. While the luxury category includes some indigenous brands like BYD’s Yangwang and JAC Group’s Maextro, the majority of the segment consists of international marques that primarily offer petrol-powered vehicles in the mainland market. Industry analysts suggest that international brands will struggle to maintain market share and profitability as consumer demand shifts toward electric vehicles. Factors contributing to this trend include waning interest in premium petrol cars and a growing preference for EVs, partly driven by rising crude oil prices.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by SCMP Business.
