The three major automotive markets at the end of May 2026
1. The Chinese automotive market:
The Chinese passenger car market contracted by 23.4% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, to 1,443,545 units versus 1,884,003, and by 23.8% over the first five months of 2026 compared to the first five months of 2025, to 6,789,786 units versus 8,915,707. There are no signs of improvement in the market to date, but China forecasts an 11% decline in the market for the year as a whole, which would indicate a partial recovery in the second half.
The Chinese passenger car market contracted by 23.4% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, to 1,443,545 units versus 1,884,003, and by 23.8% over the first five months of 2026 compared to the first five months of 2025, to 6,789,786 units versus 8,915,707. There are no signs of improvement in the market to date, but China forecasts an 11% decline in the market for the year as a whole, which would indicate a partial recovery in the second half.
2. The US automotive market:
The US passenger car market (including pickup trucks) grew by 8.9% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, reaching 1,588,901 units versus 1,459,886, but declined by 4.6% over the first five months of 2026 compared to the first five months of 2025, to 6,538,572 units versus 6,854,877. The US market is catching up somewhat compared to previous months, a consequence of the diminishing impact of the US-Iranian conflict. The coming months are expected to confirm a recovery in the US market.
The US passenger car market (including pickup trucks) grew by 8.9% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, reaching 1,588,901 units versus 1,459,886, but declined by 4.6% over the first five months of 2026 compared to the first five months of 2025, to 6,538,572 units versus 6,854,877. The US market is catching up somewhat compared to previous months, a consequence of the diminishing impact of the US-Iranian conflict. The coming months are expected to confirm a recovery in the US market.
3. The European automotive market (30 countries: EU + United Kingdom + Switzerland + Norway):
The European passenger car market grew by 3.2% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, reaching 1,147,492 units versus 1,112,058, and by 4.5% over the first five months of 2026 compared to the first five months of 2025, reaching 5,815,751 units versus 5,566,338. Unlike the Chinese and US markets, the European market, which is the only one to show cumulative growth, slowed its growth rate in May 2026, while the Chinese and US markets performed better in May 2026 than in April 2026.
The European passenger car market grew by 3.2% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, reaching 1,147,492 units versus 1,112,058, and by 4.5% over the first five months of 2026 compared to the first five months of 2025, reaching 5,815,751 units versus 5,566,338. Unlike the Chinese and US markets, the European market, which is the only one to show cumulative growth, slowed its growth rate in May 2026, while the Chinese and US markets performed better in May 2026 than in April 2026.