Editor's Note

Since the rollout of China's first automobile, generations of dedicated professionals in the auto industry have toiled relentlessly, propelling China's auto industry through 70 years of unwavering progress. Looking back, we are astounded by the transformative journey: China has now led the world in annual automobile production and sales for 17 consecutive years, in new energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales for 11 consecutive years, and in automotive exports for three consecutive years. By seizing strategic opportunities in electrification, intelligence, and green development, China has accelerated its transformation, pioneering core technologies and witnessing the comprehensive rise of independent brands, heralding a new era of globalization. Standing at a new starting point, China embarks on a fresh journey to forge a formidable automotive nation.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of the rollout of China's first automobile, Auto Review presents this exclusive "Cover Story" series. Comprising 13 articles, the 13th installment is released today. Stay tuned for more.

Behind each statistic lies the sweat and wisdom of several generations of auto industry professionals, vividly illustrating China's remarkable journey from manufacturing weakness to strength. From a "follower" to a "leader," China's auto industry has achieved in 70 years what the West accomplished in a century of industrialization.

On July 13, 1956, the first Jiefang CA10 truck rolled off the production line at FAW, heralding the dawn of China's auto industry. Seventy years on, China leads the world in production and sales scale, NEV production and sales, and exports, making a comprehensive transition from an "automotive powerhouse" to an "automotive superpower." Seven sets of data encapsulate this century-spanning industrial metamorphosis.

I. Production and Sales to Surpass 34 Million Units by 2025

According to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), by 2025, China's automobile production and sales are projected to reach 34.531 million and 34.4 million units, respectively, marking a 10.4% and 9.4% year-on-year increase. This maintains a scale of over 30 million units for three consecutive years and cements China's leadership in global production and sales for the 17th consecutive year.

In 1956, China's automobile production was merely in the thousands. Seventy years later, over 30 million new vehicles roll off production lines annually in China—a remarkable feat equivalent to a century of industrialization in the West, transitioning from "unable to produce" to "producing the most."

II. NEV Fleet Reaches 48.97 Million Units

According to the Ministry of Public Security, by the end of June 2026, China's automobile fleet had grown to 371 million units, with NEVs accounting for 48.97 million units, or 13.19% of the total.

Seventy years ago, China's auto industry grappled with fuel choices; today, it leads the world in NEVs, topping global production and sales for 11 consecutive years. According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global EV Outlook 2026, the global EV fleet reached approximately 80 million units in 2025, meaning one in every two NEVs is on China's roads—a historic shift from "follower" to "definer."

III. Monthly Automobile Exports Surpass 1 Million Units

According to CAAM, in June 2026, China exported 1.037 million vehicles, marking an 11.6% month-on-month and 75.1% year-on-year increase, surpassing 1 million units in a single month for the first time. In the first half of the year, exports totaled 5.096 million units, up 65.3% year-on-year. Notably, NEV exports reached 523,000 units in June, accounting for over 50%.

From struggling to meet domestic demand in 1956 to exporting over 2 million units in 2021 and now surpassing 1 million units monthly, China's auto exports have reached unprecedented heights. The once-prevailing notion that "Chinese automobiles cannot go global" has been shattered by monthly export figures exceeding 1 million, as Chinese manufacturing accelerates its global reach, offering greener and smarter mobility solutions to consumers worldwide.

IV. Independent Brands Capture 71.8% Market Share

According to the latest CAAM data, in the first half of this year, domestic independent brand passenger vehicle sales reached 9.138 million units, with a market share rising to 71.8%, peaking at 75.5% in June.

Since the opening of China's auto market, joint ventures have long dominated, with independent brands' market share once nearing 30%. Today, over 7 out of every 10 passenger vehicles sold are Chinese brands—a transformation from "surviving in the cracks" to "market dominance," completing a shift from "following" to "running alongside" and then "leading," as China evolves from a global auto production base to a hub for new technologies and models.

V. Chinese Companies Secure 6 Out of Top 10 Global Power Battery Spots

According to South Korea's SNE Research, global power battery installations reached 1,187 GWh in 2025, with Chinese companies securing 6 out of the top 10 spots—CATL, BYD, CALB, Gotion High-Tech, EVE Energy, and SVOLT—accounting for over 70.4% of the market share, with CATL retaining its championship with a 39.2% share.

China's rapid auto industry growth has not only transformed the global vehicle landscape but also reshaped global supply chains. From power batteries to intelligent chassis, China has forged the world's largest, most comprehensive, and well-supported industrial system, becoming a key participant and contributor to the global auto supply chain, advancing from a "manufacturing powerhouse" to a "technological powerhouse."

VI. Combined Driving Assistance Penetration Reaches 70%

Recently, Wang Weiming, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), noted that since the first half of 2026, the market penetration rate of new passenger vehicles equipped with combined driving assistance functions has reached 70%. According to Guo Shougang, Director of MIIT's Equipment Industry Department, China's intelligent connected vehicle pilot demonstrations are steadily progressing, with over 20,000 test demonstration licenses issued nationwide, over 57,000 kilometers of open test roads, and cumulative tests exceeding 220 million kilometers. Among the 20 "vehicle-road-cloud integration" pilot cities, over 60,000 sets of intelligent devices have been deployed, serving over 100,000 vehicles.

From the early struggles of "four wheels plus a sofa" to over 70% of new domestic vehicles now featuring driving assistance capabilities, China's auto industry stands at the forefront of global automotive technology, becoming the world's largest intelligent vehicle "testbed." In recent years, China has established systemic advantages in core areas such as algorithm iteration, scenario data, 5G, and vehicle-road-cloud integration, participating in and leading the construction of global autonomous driving technology regulatory frameworks, guiding the global auto industry into uncharted territories.

VII. Used Car Transactions Surpass 20 Million Units for the First Time

In 2025, China's used car transactions reached 20.108 million units, surpassing 20 million for the first time, with a total transaction value of RMB 1,289.79 billion. Since reaching 10 million units in 2016, the used car market has achieved a new milestone after a decade of development.

Seventy years ago, automobiles were luxury items beyond the reach of ordinary people. Today, the breakthrough in annual used car transactions signifies China's auto market is accelerating from "incremental expansion" to "stock optimization," reflecting its growing maturity. Behind the 20 million used car transactions lies a dynamic and healthy automotive ecosystem, with automobiles truly integrated into the daily lives of millions of families.

Note: This article was first published in the "Cover Story" section of the August 2026 issue of Auto Review. Stay tuned for related reports:

Cover Story (Part I): China's Auto Industry Achieves Triple Leap in 70 Years

Cover Story (Part II): Exclusive Interview with Fu Yuwu: 70 Years of Symbolism, from Following to Leading

Cover Story (Part III): Exclusive Interview with An Qingheng: Mainstream Automakers Must Embrace Four New Roles

Cover Story (Part IV): Serving as the Industry's Cornerstone, China's Auto Consultative Committee Rooted in the Industry for Four Decades

Cover Story (Part V): Continuing Seven Decades of Glory, Striving for New Breakthroughs Towards a New Future

Cover Story (Part VI): 70 Years of Industrial Policies Driving China's Auto Industry Transformation

Cover Story (Part VII): Seven Decades of Dedication, Private Automakers' "Comeback Answer"

Cover Story (Part VIII): Overcoming Three Life-and-Death Challenges, China's New Forces Stand Tall

Cover Story (Part IX): Tech Companies' Cross-Border Entry: Partners or Disruptors?

Cover Story (Part X): From Supporting Roles to Innovative Ecosystems, 70 Years of China's Auto Supply Chain

Cover Story (Part XI): Seventy Years of Winnowing: The Vanished Chinese Automakers

Cover Story (Part XII): Once Glorious, Now Forgotten: The Decline of Joint Venture/Foreign Automakers in China

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