The total vehicle sales in China reached 18.5 million as of 2011. In the same year China’s passenger vehicle market, which includes sales of sedans, sport-utility vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles, totalled 14.5 million units. The best selling car, Excelle, is produced by General Motors and SAIC Motor as part of a joint venture, and sold a total of 250,000 units in 2011.

In 2011, one million luxury passenger vehicles and 75,000 ultra-luxury passenger vehicles were bought in China. The sales volume rose 35 percent Y/Y and 67 percent Y/Y respectively. By comparison, overall passenger car sales grew by 5 percent Y/Y. The leading luxury brand at this time was Audi with 313,000 units sold. Within the ultra-luxury vehicle segment, Jaguar Land Rover was the highest selling car brand at 42,000 units.

As of 2011 there were 175 million drivers and 75 million passenger vehicle owners in China. Despite the high number of passenger cars in use, the vehicle penetration rate in China is still low compared to more mature markets. Not only does China have the world’s biggest new car market, it also has a growing used car market with sales of used cars exceeding 4.3 million units. This is an increase by 12.5 percent Y/Y.

The topics automobile manufacturing industry in China and import and export market in China are presented in separate dossiers.

Overview of the most important facts:

Growth rate of vehicle sales in China from 2008 to 2013

Passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle sales in China from 2008 to 2013

Top 10 bestselling cars in China in 2011

Sales of top-range and luxury cars in China from 2006 to 2010 including a forecast up to and including 2014

Number of used cars sold in China from 2004 to 2016

Photo: istockphoto.com / hronos7, henrik5000

• • Automobile sales figures
  • Customers and users
  • Luxury car market
• • Used car market
  • Miscellaneous