- China imported 43,000 vehicles in July, down 13% year-on-year and 11% Jan–Jul cumulatively.
- Rising domestic competition and localization of foreign brands are squeezing imported volumes.
- Luxury brands dominate imports (Lexus 80,869 Jan–Jul) while NEV and ultra-luxury segments weaken.
Latest data released by CPCA Secretary General Cui Dongshu show China imported 43K vehicles in July, down 13% year-on-year; cumulative January-July imports hit 240K units, down 11%. Supported by a low base in late 2025, the decline narrowed; overall import market pressure persists.
The decline is being driven by two factors: rising domestic competition and the growing localization of foreign brands, which have replaced many once-imported models, while geopolitical tensions disrupted shipping and weighed on second-quarter customs data.
Japan, Germany remain top sources. July figures: Japan 23,587; Germany 7,479; US 4,855; UK 3,094; Slovakia 1,839. Austria, Mexico, Thailand, China, Korea enter the top 10 for the month.
January-July cumulative: Japan 127,080 units leads; Germany 51,790; US 22,587; Slovakia 15,359; UK 13,949. Japan occupies high share; import sources highly concentrated.
Passenger cars dominate imports; July total 42,837 units, over 99% of imports. July sedans 21,218; 4WD SUV 11,562. Jan-Jul sedans 121,787; 4WD SUV 55,922. High-value imported 4WD SUV performance weak.
Imported NEVs remain in contraction. Jan-Jul BEVs 1,705 units, down 34%; PHEVs 1,369 units, down 57%; NEV share falls to 2%. In June, pure gasoline models 28,762 units, accounting for 67% of imports.
Brand-level import demand concentrates on luxury. Lexus Jan-Jul imports 80,869 units; luxury share climbs to 40.2%; leads the pack.
Ultra-luxury segment faces downward pressure. Jan-Jul: Bentley 789; Maserati 289; Rolls-Royce 261; Ferrari 317. Maserati weakens again after 2025 recovery; Bentley, Rolls-Royce remain sluggish; Ferrari demonstrates stronger resilience.
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