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China’s passenger vehicle sales declined for a second straight month in July, as discounts and government support measures failed to persuade consumers wary of buying cars amid a slowing economy.
Retail sales of passenger cars reached 1.78 million units in July, a drop of 2.3% from a year earlier, the second contraction in a row after a 2.9% slide in June, and falling by 6.3% from the previous month, according to the China Passenger Car Association.
In the first seven months of the year, retail sales of passenger cars reached 11.3 million units, an increase of 1.9% from a year earlier, it said.
China’s retail sales of new energy vehicle reached 641,000 units in July, surging 31.9% from a year earlier, but falling 3.6% from the previous month, according to the China Passenger Car Association.
The total retail sales of NEVs in the first seven months of the year reached 3.73 million units, rising by 36.3% from a year earlier, it said.
The country exported about 310,000 units of passenger cars in July, surging 63% from a year ago and up 4% from the previous month, according to the association.
In the first seven months, passenger car exports reached 1.99 million units, surging 81% from a year earlier, it said.
Exports of new energy vehicles reached about 88,000 units in July, surging 80% year over year and up 26% from the prior month, accounting for 27% of the total passenger car exports last month, showed the data.
Tesla exports 32,862 cars in July, BYD Company 18,169 units, SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle 17,724 units, SAIC GM Wuling 6,674 units.