# China Auto Production and Sales Fall in September 2026 as Exports Surge

China produced 2\.99 million vehicles and sold 2\.956 million in September 2026, both down year-on-year, while January-September output and sales each fell 4\.5%\. Exports rose 61\.4% in September and 65\.8% over the nine months\.

By China EV Signal
Published: 2026-10-13T14:56:14.884Z
Updated: 2026-10-13T14:56:14.887Z
Canonical article: https://chinaevsignal.com/news/china-auto-production-sales-september-2026

## Key takeaways

- China's September 2026 vehicle production was 2\.99 million units, down 8\.7% year-on-year, and sales were 2\.956 million units, down 8\.4% year-on-year\.
- January-September 2026 production reached 23\.246 million units and sales 23\.271 million units, both down 4\.5% year-on-year\.
- September 2026 vehicle exports rose 61\.4% year-on-year to 1\.053 million units, while domestic sales fell 26% to 1\.904 million units\.

## September 2026 Production and Sales

China's vehicle production in September 2026 was 2\.99 million units, up 11\.4% from the previous month but down 8\.7% year-on-year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers\. Sales totaled 2\.956 million units, up 9% month-on-month and down 8\.4% year-on-year\.

## Passenger Vehicles

Passenger vehicle production in September 2026 was 2\.626 million units, up 10\.9% month-on-month and down 9\.4% year-on-year\. Sales were 2\.588 million units, up 8\.6% from the previous month and down 9\.5% year-on-year\.

## Commercial Vehicles

Commercial vehicle production in September 2026 reached 364,000 units, up 15\.5% month-on-month and down 3\.3% year-on-year\. Sales totaled 369,000 units, up 12\.3% month-on-month and up 0\.2% year-on-year\.

## New Energy Vehicles

New energy vehicle production in September 2026 was 1\.814 million units, up 12\.2% year-on-year, and sales were 1\.823 million units, up 13\.6% year-on-year\. For January-September 2026, new energy vehicle production reached 12\.483 million units and sales 12\.472 million units, up 11% and 11\.1% year-on-year respectively\.

## January-September 2026 Cumulative Figures

In the first nine months of 2026, China produced 23\.246 million vehicles and sold 23\.271 million, both down 4\.5% year-on-year\. Passenger vehicle production was 19\.966 million units and sales 19\.96 million units, down 6% and 6\.1% year-on-year respectively\. Commercial vehicle production was 3\.279 million units and sales 3\.311 million units, up 6\.1% and 6\.2% year-on-year respectively\.

## Domestic Sales and Exports

Domestic vehicle sales in September 2026 were 1\.904 million units, up 11\.9% month-on-month and down 26% year-on-year\. For January-September 2026, domestic sales totaled 15\.066 million units, down 22\.4% year-on-year\. Vehicle exports in September 2026 totaled 1\.053 million units, up 4\.2% month-on-month and up 61\.4% year-on-year\. Cumulative exports for January-September 2026 reached 8\.205 million units, up 65\.8% year-on-year\.

## Market Overview

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said the domestic market remained under pressure in the first three quarters of 2026, while exports maintained rapid growth despite a complex external environment\. The association noted that the share of new energy vehicle sales continued to rise as new growth drivers were released\.

## Original publisher

中汽协会数据. Published: 2026-10-13T09:11:00.000Z