Summary
In the first half (H1) of 2021 (January-June), new vehicle sales in China increased by 25.9% year-over-year (y/y) to 12.878 million units (on a factory shipment basis, including exports; the same applies below). While May and June sales were down y/y, on a semi-annual basis, sales were up over the first half of 2019.
By Chinese-affiliated group (hereinafter, by "Group"), the SAIC Motor Group maintained the top ranked position, but its market share fell below 20%. The market share rankings of the top three Groups (SAIC, FAW and Dongfeng) were the same as in the first half of 2020, but Changan, which ranked fifth, and GAC, which ranked sixth, rose to fourth and fifth, respectively.
All vehicle types saw y/y growth, with trucks performing well, exceeding 2 million units. SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile's Hongguang MINIEV, the top-selling NEV, also ranked in the top three for basic passenger cars (sedans and hatchbacks), including gasoline models.
In the passenger car market by OEM country of origin, all but Korean automakers posted y/y growth, but only Chinese and Japanese automakers posted higher sales than in the first half of 2019.
In the first half of 2021, sales of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) to 1.206 million units. The breakdown is 1,005,000 EVs; 200,000 PHVs; and 479 FCVs. In addition, according to China’s Ministry of Public Security, the number of NEVs owned as of June 2021 is reported to be 6.03 million units.
Related Reports:
Chinese market Q2 2021 (2): NIO's EV industrial park, XPeng and Hozon's manufacturing sites and more (Aug. 2021)
Chinese market Q2 2021 (1) : Activities of China's state- and privately-owned OEMs (Jul. 2021)
Chinese market Q1 2021: NEV sales exceed 500,000 units, Chinese OEMs accelerate CASE (May 2021)
2020 Chinese market: New vehicle sales down 1.8%, commercial vehicle sales top 5 million units (Feb. 2021)
Local Reconstruction Note
This article has been expanded from the visible local mirror text, headings, tags, image captions, tables, and related local article titles. It is presented as a reconstructed reading version, not as a hidden original document.
Sales in the first half of 2021 increased by 25.9% y/y to 12.88 million units
The source outline identifies this section as part of “2021 H1 China market: New vehicle sales up to 12.88 million units, NEVs reach 1.21 million units”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of H6, GAC Aion, Production Forecast, China, Technology Show, GlobalData and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Sales volume by group: FAW and Changan steady as SAIC's market share drops below 20%
The source outline identifies this section as part of “2021 H1 China market: New vehicle sales up to 12.88 million units, NEVs reach 1.21 million units”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of H6, GAC Aion, Production Forecast, China, Technology Show, GlobalData and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Market share by vehicle type: SUVs continue to do well, trucks exceed 2 million units
The source outline identifies this section as part of “2021 H1 China market: New vehicle sales up to 12.88 million units, NEVs reach 1.21 million units”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of H6, GAC Aion, Production Forecast, China, Technology Show, GlobalData and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Passenger car market: Japanese surpassing German automakers, Chinese OEMs expanding market share
The source outline identifies this section as part of “2021 H1 China market: New vehicle sales up to 12.88 million units, NEVs reach 1.21 million units”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of H6, GAC Aion, Production Forecast, China, Technology Show, GlobalData and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Exports of finished vehicles totaled 828,000 units, while imports of Lexus brand vehicles topped the list with a 27% y/y increase to 123,000 units.
The source outline identifies this section as part of “2021 H1 China market: New vehicle sales up to 12.88 million units, NEVs reach 1.21 million units”. Based on the available local metadata, this section should be read through the lens of H6, GAC Aion, Production Forecast, China, Technology Show, GlobalData and the visible introduction, figures, captions, and tables.
Related Local Signals
Nearby records in the local archive include Taipei AMPA 2026: Foxconn’s EV Technology; Smart Energy Week 2026: Batteries and Charging; Electrified Vehicle (xEV) Sales Monthly Report (March 2026); Geely i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid Technology Presentation. These titles can be used as adjacent evidence when comparing suppliers, technologies, markets, and reporting periods.