China's car imports down 11% in June 2026

China's car imports decreased by 11% in June 2026, reaching 38,000 vehicles, according to Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

For the first half of 2026 (January-June), imported vehicles totaled 200,000 units, an 11% drop compared to the same period last year. The relatively strong performance in early 2026 was attributed to a low base from late 2025.

Retail sales of imported cars declined by 29% in January-June 2026 to 190,000 vehicles. June sales saw a sharper fall of 39% to 30,000 units, indicating significant future pressures on the market.

Among the top importing countries in June, Japan led with 18,486 vehicles, followed by Germany with 9,272. The import market continues to be dominated by traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

The luxury import segment shows a mixed performance. Lexus remains the top imported luxury brand with relatively stable sales. However, some ultra-luxury brands have experienced significant volatility and signs of a market downturn, adding to industry challenges.