The Chinese market declined by 23% in the first quarter of 2026
- 说明
The Chinese market declined by 23% in the first quarter of 2026
- The Chinese passenger car market contracted by 23% in the first three months of 2026 compared to the first three months of 2025. This is the largest drop in car sales recorded in China since the Covid crisis . Here are the official figures:
1. 4,013,180 passenger cars produced in China and sold in China in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 5,240,638 units in the first quarter of 2025, representing a decrease of 23.4%.
2. 5,934,096 passenger cars produced in China and sold worldwide in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 6,418,820 units sold in the first three months of 2025 , representing a decline of 7.6%.
3. 1,920,916 units exported to foreign markets in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 1,178,182 units exported in the first three months of 2025 , representing an increase of 63%.
- In fact, today, exports from China account for one-third of Chinese automobile production. At the current rate, automobile exports from China could reach 7 million units in 2026, compared to 6 million in 2025 and 5 million in 2024.
- Regarding the Chinese market, it should be able to rebound in the second half of 2026, as at the current rate, its volume for the year as a whole could be the weakest since 2020. However, China is currently experiencing significant deflationary pressures as well as the consequences of the war in the Middle East (oil supply), which could jeopardize a genuine market recovery in the second half of 2026. April remains a very weak month (sales in China down 25.5%).
Tesla manages to revive its global sales in 2026
- 说明
Tesla manages to revive its global sales in 2026
- After recording an 8.6% drop in its global sales in 2025, the American carmaker of battery electric cars Tesla is on the upswing in 2026, thanks to a price reduction of its Model 3 and Model Y applied last February.
1. In January 2026, Tesla's global sales increased by 1% compared to January 2025 but remain 15% lower compared to January 2024.
2. In February 2026, the first month marked by the price reduction practiced by the carmaker, Tesla's global sales increased by 37% compared to February 2025, but remained 6% lower compared to February 2024.
3. In March 2026, Tesla's global sales were up 22% compared to March 2025, and 3% higher compared to March 2024.
4. In April 2026, Tesla's global sales increased by 22% compared to April 2025, and are this time 10% higher compared to April 2024.
- Cumulatively, Tesla's global sales are getting closer month by month to the 2024 level , as they are only -2% at the end of April 2026 compared to the end of April 2024. Compared to the first 4 months of 2025, the increase in Tesla sales reaches 20%.
- By region, Europe saw a spectacular jump (+47%), followed by China (+27%). The USA lagged behind (-13%), likely due to the discontinuation of subsidies for electric vehicle buyers in that country.
Inovev forecasts 150,000 units per year for the new BMW X5 SUV
- 说明
Inovev forecasts 150,000 units per year for the new BMW X5 SUV
- The fifth generation of the BMW X5 SUV (E-segment) was unveiled in June 2026. The first generation of this model, launched in 1999, marked the beginning of BMW's SUV lineup, in response to the Mercedes M-Class launched two years earlier in 1997. Following the X5's launch, BMW expanded its SUV range downwards with the arrival of the BMW X3 (D-segment) and then the X1 (C-segment). The Bavarian manufacturer subsequently completed its SUV lineup with coupe versions, such as the X2, X4, and X6. Finally, the X7 topped the BMW SUV range starting in 2019.
- The new X5 is 5 cm longer, reaching 4.99 m, while its width (2.00 m) and height (1.75 m) remain the same. The wheelbase increases from 2.98 m to 3.04 m. The new X5's styling is inspired by the recently launched BMW iX3.
- The model's powertrains are as follows: a 400 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline engine, a 313 hp 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine, a 489 hp and 612 hp 3.0- liter plug - in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and an electric version (iX5) with a front and rear motor combined, producing 578 hp and a 141 kWh battery providing a WLTP range of 845 km. A hydrogen fuel cell version will be available in 2028.
- The weight of the X5 varies from 2.4 tonnes to 2.7 tonnes depending on the engine and up to 2.9 tonnes for the iX5.
- The X5's direct competitors are the Audi Q7, Mercedes GLE, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo XC90/EX90.
- The BMW X5 and iX5 will be produced at the Spartanburg plant (South Carolina, USA) at a rate of 150,000 units per year, according to Inovev. They will likely also be assembled in China to meet local demand.
Inovev forecasts 40,000 units per year for the new Skoda Peaq SUV
- 说明
Inovev forecasts 40,000 units per year for the new Skoda Peaq SUV
- Czech manufacturer Skoda has unveiled its large, all-electric, seven-seater SUV, the Peaq (4.87 m long), just a few weeks after unveiling its small, all-electric SUV, the Epiq (4.17 m long). Its boxy, sleek design deliberately contrasts with Audi's all-electric SUVs (Q4 and Q6). Skoda's range of all-electric SUVs is now complete, with the Epiq (B segment), the Elroq (C segment), the Enyaq (D segment), and now the Peaq (E segment).
- The new Skoda Peaq is based on an evolution of the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform, already used in the Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7, among others. It features a choice of three electric motors (204 hp, 286 hp, and 299 hp) and two battery options: a 63 kWh (NMC) version and a 91 kWh (NMC) version, the latter being the largest battery ever fitted to a Skoda electric model. The advertised range is over 600 km, specifically 640 km for the model equipped with the larger battery.
- The Skoda Peaq will be produced at the Mlada Boleslav plant in the Czech Republic, at a rate of 40,000 units per year, according to Inovev. Mlada Boleslav is Skoda's historic site and now a major production center for battery systems for all Volkswagen Group brands.
- The direct competitors of the new Skoda Peaq are the Tesla Model Y Long Range, Mercedes EQE SUV, BMW iX and iX 5, and especially the Peugeot e-5008, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90.
Production of Chery models will begin in Barcelona in the fall of 2026
- 说明
Production of Chery models will begin in Barcelona in the fall of 2026
- Chery, which has quickly become the third largest Chinese automaker after BYD and Geely, is one of the most ambitious Chinese manufacturers regarding its presence in the European market. It began by establishing a presence in Italy under the DR brand, and since the end of 2024 has been present in Spain under the EBRO brand (11,000 sales in Europe in the first five months of 2026).
- But its presence is now expanding to Europe with the start of production in the third quarter of 2026 of the Omoda 5 SUV (27,500 sales in Europe in the first five months of 2026) and the Jaecoo 5 SUV (13,500 sales in Europe in the first five months of 2026) in Spain , at the same former Nissan plant in Barcelona where the EBRO models are assembled. It should be noted that the start of production for these models has been postponed several times, but this time, the start in the third quarter of 2026 seems confirmed.
- Finally, at Nissan's request, Chery will produce the Jaecoo 7 SUV (32,500 sales in Europe in the first five months of 2026) in England in 2027 , at Nissan's currently underutilized Sunderland plant. The Jaecoo 7 is currently one of the best-selling models in England.
- In total, the Chery group, owner of the EBRO, Omoda, Jaecoo (unknown in China) brands as well as DR, Exeed, Jetour or Evolute, sold 122,843 cars in Europe in the first 5 months of 2026, while its sales had not exceeded 29,533 units in the first 5 months of 2025. Chery has quadrupled its sales in just one year.