From January to May, the overall operation of the automobile industry was stable, and new energy vehicles maintained rapid growth

On June 11, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers held a press conference in Beijing to report on the economic operation of the automobile industry. Statistics show that from January to May this year, automobile production and sales reached 11.768 million and 11.792 million respectively, with production and sales increasing by 3.8% and 5.7% respectively over the same period last year. The sales growth rate was 2 percentage points higher than the same period last year, and the growth rate was 0.9 percentage points higher than that from January to April, with an overall good performance.

In the statistics, new energy vehicles still performed well. From January to May, the production and sales of new energy vehicles both reached 328,000 units, up 122.9% and 141.6% year-on-year, respectively. Among them, the production and sales of pure electric vehicles both reached 250,000 units, up 105.1% and 124.7% year-on-year, respectively; the production and sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles reached 79,000 units and 78,000 units, up 207.3% and 218.4% year-on-year, respectively.

At the meeting, the relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said that new energy vehicles are being accepted by the majority of consumers, and the willingness to buy them is gradually increasing. The gradual increase in sales of new energy vehicles indicates that market consumers have affirmed the national industrial policy, and that they are taking shape as a potential main model in the long-term market.

It is expected that after the new energy subsidy policy is gradually withdrawn in the future, the sales of new energy vehicles may have a buffer period, but overall, the brand and quality of new energy vehicles will continue to improve and perfect, and their competitiveness is expected to be further enhanced, which will be conducive to driving the healthy and orderly development of the entire industry.

SUV production and sales decline, heavy truck market uncertainties increase

In May, automobile production was 2.3444 million units, down 2.26% from the previous month and up 12.84% from the previous year; sales were 2.2877 million units, down 1.37% from the previous month and up 9.61% from the previous year. Among them, passenger car production was 1.9542 million units, down 2.28% from the previous month and up 11.82% from the previous year; sales were 1.8894 million units, down 1.30% from the previous month and up 7.89% from the previous year. Commercial vehicle production was 390,100 units, down 2.15% from the previous month and up 18.25% from the previous year; sales were 398,300 units, down 1.66% from the previous month and up 18.62% from the previous year.

Among the main types of passenger cars, compared with April, the production and sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) decreased in May, the production of multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) decreased slightly, and the sales increased slightly. The production and sales of other types increased, among which the growth rate of crossover passenger cars was more significant. Compared with the same period last year, the production and sales of multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) decreased, and other types showed a certain growth, among which the growth rate of basic passenger cars (sedans) was faster.

In recent years, SUVs have always been a model with great demand in the market. The relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers pointed out that after several years of rapid growth, the decline in SUV production and sales in the short term is within a reasonable range. From the overall base, the production and sales volume of SUVs is still large. However, since last year, some car companies have begun to pay attention to the improvement of the sedan market and have tilted towards it. Relevant companies are also constantly adjusting their product line structure. As long as they have the ability, they will definitely further improve their sedan products and fill the space in this market. After all, sedans are more technology-intensive than SUVs.

From January to May, the production and sales of basic passenger cars (sedans) were 4.6857 million and 4.7306 million, up 1.89% and 4.75% year-on-year; the production and sales of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were 4.3252 million and 4.2267 million, up 10.02% and 11.66% year-on-year; the production and sales of multi-purpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) were 732,300 and 752,700, down 15.49% and 11.12% year-on-year; the production and sales of crossover passenger cars were 179,800 and 190,800, down 25.40% and 30.11% year-on-year.

Among the main types of commercial vehicles, compared with April, the production and sales of trucks in May decreased slightly, while the production and sales of buses increased significantly; compared with the same period last year, the production and sales of trucks and buses continued to maintain rapid growth.

From January to May, the production and sales of trucks were 1.6577 million and 1.7079 million, up 8.96% and 9.27% ​​year-on-year. Among them: the production and sales of heavy trucks were 533,800 and 559,800, up 12.09% and 15.16% year-on-year; the production and sales of medium-sized trucks were 94,800 and 85,300, with a year-on-year increase of 13.29% and a decrease of 2.33% in production and sales; the production and sales of light trucks were 788,400 and 805,200, up 10.96% and 13.44% year-on-year; the production and sales of mini trucks were 240,600 and 257,600, down 4.08% and 7.90% year-on-year. The production and sales of buses were 187,400 and 183,800, up 8.22% and 7.49% year-on-year. Among them, the production and sales of large buses were 29,000 and 27,600 units, up 41.69% and 42.53% year-on-year; the production and sales of medium-sized buses were 26,800 and 25,800 units, up 42.45% and 36.25% year-on-year; the production and sales of light buses were 131,500 and 130,400 units, down 1.73% and 1.72% year-on-year.

Regarding the heavy-duty truck market, the relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers pointed out that the current transportation structure in my country is changing, and the mode of large-volume long-distance transportation is gradually shifting to railways and water power. Affected by this, the future growth of the heavy-duty truck market will face many unfavorable factors. Combining the current industrial policy and economic development characteristics, the relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers judged that the growth of the heavy-duty truck market this year will not be too fast, showing a steady downward trend in growth, but will maintain positive growth.

The proportion of new energy vehicles has increased and the entire industry is in urgent need of returning to high-quality development

Data shows that in May, the production and sales of new energy vehicles were 96,000 and 102,000 respectively, up 85.6% and 125.6% year-on-year. Among them, the production and sales of pure electric vehicles were 77,000 and 82,000 respectively, up 75.9% and 112.8% year-on-year; the production and sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles were 19,000 and 20,000 respectively, up 138.8% and 196.8% year-on-year.

In this regard, the relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said that the sales volume of new energy vehicles last year was 800,000 units, and this year is expected to exceed 1 million units. In May, the sales volume of new energy vehicles accounted for 4.5%. Looking forward to the whole year, the sales volume of new energy vehicles will account for between 4.5% and 5%. This phenomenon is related to the current policy, and the future trend needs further observation.

In terms of imports and exports, in May, automobile exports grew faster than the same period last year. In that month, automobile enterprises exported 93,000 vehicles, down 1% from April and up 32.9% from the same period last year, maintaining a relatively fast growth. In terms of vehicle types, passenger car exports in that month were 70,000 vehicles, up 4.3% from April and 51.7% from the same period last year; commercial vehicle exports were 24,000 vehicles, down 13.9% from April and 2.4% from the same period last year.

According to statistics, from January to May, automobile enterprises exported 412,000 vehicles, an increase of 30.9% over the same period last year. In terms of vehicle types, passenger car exports were 303,000, an increase of 38.6% over the same period last year; commercial vehicle exports were 109,000, an increase of 13.4% over the same period last year.

The relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers pointed out that the new automobile import tariff will be adjusted on July 1. Affected by this, the market consumers are in a strong mood of holding their money to wait for purchase. This tariff reduction has a great variable on the overall market sales expectations, and related factors need further research and observation. If the import volume increases by 300,000 vehicles this year, accounting for 1%, it will also be a significant increase compared with the past.

A relevant person in charge of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers pointed out that the automobile industry has been showing a relatively high growth rate for many years. At this stage, the basic operating trend maintains a slow and steady growth. The new level of development in the future will be characterized by high quality. To this end, the entire industry should accelerate the realization of a new pattern of standardized and orderly development.

Under the new normal, the automobile market is transitioning from the past era of chasing production capacity to the era of pursuing quality. Facts have proved that once the market enters a stable state, healthy and competitive enterprises will stand out. Since last year, relevant enterprises have continuously expanded their market share by adjusting their product structure and continuously exerting their quality advantages. It is foreseeable that in the future, the competitive advantages and resource advantages of the Chinese automobile market will continue to concentrate and improve. Only by adhering to such a development idea can China's automobile industry finally achieve the goal of becoming bigger and stronger.

Relevant officials pointed out that many new car-making forces have not yet formed marketization, so they must slow down production capacity and growth. Relevant national departments also need to continuously strengthen industry development guidance to ensure the quality of the whole vehicle. Whether it is a new car-making force or a traditional vehicle manufacturer, according to the medium- and long-term development plan, they all need to move towards "large mobile terminals, energy storage units, and data space", but in the process of realizing the new blueprint of the automotive industry, the first condition is to focus on the improvement of core capabilities.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.