Chinese Cars Challenge Toyota-Volkswagen Global Dominance

Chinese cars are increasingly becoming global. China’s car sales are increasing rapidly. In fact, it now controls more than 35 percent of world automotive sales.

Quoted by Carnewschina, according to the Chinese Passenger Car Association (CPCA), by 2025 Chinese cars will control 35.6 percent of the global automotive market share. Last year, world car sales reached 96.47 million units. China was able to sell 34.35 million units, an increase of 9 percent compared to the previous year.

Global car sales throughout 2025 will grow by 5 percent. In comparison, the United States sold 16.72 million units (up 1%), India 5.58 million units (up 7%), Japan 4.56 million units (up 3%), and Germany 3.16 million units (up 1%). On the other hand, the Russian market experienced a significant decline, and growth in Mexico slowed down, while markets in South America, such as Argentina, showed positive trends.

In the first half of 2025, China’s car market share in the world will reach 36 percent with sales of 15.65 million units, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. Then in November alone, China’s car market share increased to 40 percent and 37 percent in December 2025. In the full year, Chinese cars controlled 35.6 percent of world automotive sales.

Sales of Chinese cars in the world increase from year to year. From 2016 to 2018, China only accounted for 30 percent of the global automotive market. Then in 2019 it fell to 29 percent.

From 2020 to 2021, China’s car market share increased again to 32%. In 2022, China’s market share will rise again to 33.5%. In 2023, market share will remain at 33.8%. And by 2024, the market share will increase to 34.2% of the global automotive market. Last year it rose again to more than 35 percent.

In 2025, three Chinese car brands will enter the list of the world’s 10 best-selling cars. BYD is in fifth place, Geely is in seventh and Chery is in 10th place.

Here are the 10 best-selling brands in the world in 2025:

• Toyota: 10.8 percent market share
• Volkswagen: 8.9 percent market share
• Hyundai-Kia: 7.4 percent market share
• Stellantis: 5.5 percent market share
• BYD: 5.4 percent market share
• Renault-Nissan: 5.4 percent market share
• Geely: 4.6 percent market share
• GM: 4.6 percent market share
• Ford: 4.4 percent market share
• Chery: 3.7 percent market share.

(rgr/dry)