China Auto Daily丨China Passenger Vehicle Market Sees Significant Sixty Percent Monthly Growth Rise

CPCA: China's Passenger Vehicle Retail Sales Hit 1.66 Million Units in March, Up 60% MoM

According to official data released by the CPCA (China Passenger Car Association) on April 3, the national passenger vehicle market recorded retail sales of 1,657,000 units from March 1 to March 31. This figure represents a robust month-over-month increase of 60%, although it reflects a 15% decline compared to the same period last year. For the first quarter of the year, cumulative retail sales reached 4,236,000 units, marking a 17% year-on-year decrease.

SAIC Motor to Roll Out Mass-Produced Models with Semi-Solid-State Batteries Across Brands This Year

On April 3, SAIC confirmed via an official interactive platform that it will begin the phased rollout of mass-produced vehicle models equipped with semi-solid state batteries across its various brands starting this year. While specific launch schedules remain subject to individual brand announcements. Financial and production targets remain ambitious for the conglomerate as it navigates a shifting landscape. The company is striving to achieve a total annual vehicle sales volume of 5,000,000 units in 2026. From a fiscal perspective, SAIC is targeting a total operating income exceeding RMB 700 billion (USD 101.400 billion), with total operating costs projected to be managed around RMB 630 billion (USD 91.3 billion).

Qingdao: 9 Departments Jointly Advance 57 Auto Industry Projects Worth Over 100 Million Yuan Each

On April 6, nine government departments, including the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, jointly issued the "Qingdao Automotive Industry Steady Growth Work Plan." This policy framework outlines specific development goals for 2026, aiming to stabilize the city's vehicle production at approximately 1 million units. Within this target, New Energy Vehicle production is expected to reach 450,000 units. The plan focuses heavily on strengthening the local supply chain for "Three-Electric" systems, automotive chips, and intelligent cockpits.

The industrial push is supported by 57 major projects, each exceeding RMB 100 million (~USD 14.5 million) in investment. According to the Qingdao municipal report, the city will expedite 16 projects totaling RMB 14.2 billion (~USD 2 billion) in investment, including facilities for FAW Foundry, FAW Jiefang and Chery KD, which are expected to add RMB 12.8 million (~USD 1.86 billion) in output value. Furthermore, 28 ongoing projects with a total investment of RMB 15.8 billion (~USD 2.30 billion) are underway, with 27 slated for completion by 2026 to provide an additional RMB 13.55 billion (~USD 1.96 billion) in production value.

*(Exchange rate: RMB 6.9 = USD 1)*