"The automobile production and sales volume in April was the lowest monthly in the past decade, and the industrial chain and supply chain of the automobile industry are also experiencing the most severe test in history." At the monthly information conference held by the China Association of automobile manufacturers (hereinafter referred to as "China Automobile Association"), deputy secretary general chenshihua gave the above judgment.

According to the data, in April, domestic automobile production and sales completed 1.205 million and 1.181 million respectively, with a month on month decrease of 46.2% and 47.1% respectively, and a year-on-year decrease of 46.1% and 47.6% respectively. Affected by this, the automobile production and sales volume also fell from January to April, with 7.69 million and 7.691 million vehicles respectively, a year-on-year decrease of 10.5% and 12.1%.

According to the analysis of China Automobile Association, there are two factors contributing to the sharp decline in automobile production and sales in April. First, affected by the epidemic, some enterprises stopped production, logistics and transportation were hindered, and the production and supply capacity fell sharply; Second, affected by the epidemic, consumption capacity and confidence have decreased significantly.

It is worth mentioning that although the overall market is "down", the performance of new energy vehicles is still better than that of the same period last year.

In April, the latest data of the automotive industry were released

Specifically, in April, the production and sales of automobiles reached 1.205 million and 1.181 million respectively, with a month on month decrease of 46.2% and 47.1%, and a year-on-year decrease of 46.1% and 47.6%.

From January to April, the production and sales of automobiles were 7.69 million and 7.691 million, with a year-on-year decrease of 10.5% and 12.1%, ending the growth trend from January to March.

In April, the production and sales of passenger cars were 996000 and 965000, with a month on month decrease of 47.1% and 48.2%, and a year-on-year decrease of 41.9% and 43.4%. Among the main varieties of passenger cars, the production and sales of the four categories of passenger cars decreased significantly month on month and year on year, and the decline of cross type passenger cars was more obvious.

From January to April, the production and sales of passenger cars were 6.494 million and 6.51 million, a year-on-year decrease of 2.6% and 4.2%. Among the main varieties of passenger cars, compared with the same period last year, the production and sales of cross type passenger cars increased slightly, while the other three categories of passenger cars decreased to varying degrees, among which the decline of multi-function passenger vehicles (MPV) was more obvious.

In April, the production and sales of commercial vehicles were 210000 and 216000, down 41.8% and 41.6% month on month, and 59.8% and 60.7% year on year. Among the main varieties of commercial vehicles, the production and sales of trucks and passenger cars decreased rapidly month on month and year on year, and the decline of trucks was more significant.

Chenshihua, Deputy Secretary General of the China Association of automobile manufacturers, said that in April this year, the domestic epidemic showed a general trend of multiple outbreaks, the situation was more severe and complex, the difficulties of market players increased significantly, and the downward pressure on the economy further increased. The supply chain of the automobile industry chain has also experienced the most severe test in history. Some enterprises have stopped production, logistics and transportation have been greatly hindered, and the production and supply capacity has declined sharply. At the same time, affected by the epidemic, consumption capacity and willingness have decreased significantly, and the task of stabilizing the growth of the industry is very arduous.

Therefore, automobile production and sales decreased significantly in April. The monthly sales volume fell below 1.2 million, the lowest monthly level in the same period in recent ten years; Passenger cars and commercial vehicles showed a sharp decline month on month and year on year. In comparison, the performance of new energy vehicles is generally better than that of the market, with a rapid growth momentum year-on-year, and the market share remains at a high level.

In terms of passenger car sales, in April 2022, the domestic epidemic situation was more complex and severe, the normal production and operation of enterprises in the industry were seriously hindered, the production supply was insufficient, the automobile market was also greatly affected, and the consumption capacity and willingness were significantly reduced. In the month, the sales volume of passenger cars fell below one million, reaching only 965000, with a month on month decrease of 48.2% and a year-on-year decrease of 43.4%. Among the main varieties of passenger cars, the sales volume of the four categories of passenger cars fell rapidly month on month and year on year, and the decline of crossover passenger cars was more obvious.

New energy vehicles maintained rapid growth year on year

In April, the production and sales of new energy vehicles decreased month on month, and continued to maintain rapid growth year on year. The production and sales reached 312000 and 299000 vehicles respectively, with a month on month decrease of 33.0% and 38.3%, a year-on-year increase of 43.9% and 44.6%, and the market share reached 25.3%. Among the main varieties of new energy vehicles, compared with the previous month, the production and sales of pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles all declined, especially fuel cell vehicles; Compared with the same period last year, the production and sales of the above three categories showed rapid growth, especially the growth rate of fuel cell vehicles.

From January to April, the production and sales of new energy vehicles were 1.605 million and 1.556 million, with a year-on-year increase of 1.1 times, and the market share reached 20.2%. Among the main varieties of new energy vehicles, compared with the same period last year, the production and sales of pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles continued to maintain a high-speed growth momentum.

From January to April, the top ten enterprises (groups) in auto sales sold 6.594 million vehicles, accounting for 85.7% of the total auto sales. Among the top ten enterprises in terms of auto sales, BYD's sales growth rate is still the most obvious compared with the same period last year. The growth rates of GAC and Chery are slightly lower, and other enterprises are declining.

Chen Shihua said that according to the changes in the situation, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council actively responded and timely introduced the policy of stable growth and promotional fees. The competent government departments and local governments conscientiously implement the policies of the CPC Central Committee, actively act and act in coordination. China Automobile Association closely tracks the latest situation of the industry operation, communicates closely with industry enterprises, pays attention to the difficulties encountered by enterprises, timely reflects the industry situation and enterprise demands to government departments, actively makes suggestions and puts forward relevant policy suggestions to consolidate the basic economic operation of the automobile industry.

He believed that the automobile industry enterprises overcame the impact of the epidemic, accelerated the resumption of production, and launched a large number of new models to market, further invigorating the market. Judging from the current situation, the development situation of the automobile industry is gradually improving. Enterprises strive to catch the key window period in May and June to make up for the lost production and sales.

Chen Shihua said that we believe that the automotive industry will be expected to achieve "stable" development throughout the year and become a positive force for stabilizing macroeconomic growth.

The market share of Chinese brands rose rapidly

In April, the performance of Chinese brand passenger cars was also a bright spot in the market. According to the data, in April this year, the sales volume of Chinese brand passenger cars was 551000, down 39.1% month on month and 23.3% year on year. Although the sales volume fell month on month and year-on-year, its market share was clearly indicated. The current market share was 57%, an increase of 8.5 percentage points over the previous month and 14.9 percentage points over the same period last year.

Compared with other major foreign brands, the sales volume of passenger cars of German, Japanese and American brands fell more significantly in April. Compared with the same period last year, the passenger cars of legal brands maintained growth, and other foreign brands showed a rapid decline.

From January to April, the sales volume of Chinese brand passenger cars was 3.098 million, with a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, and the market share was 47.6%, with a year-on-year increase of 6.0 percentage points.

It is noteworthy that while the overall market share of Chinese brand passenger cars has increased, the market concentration of key enterprise groups is slightly lower than that in the same period. This means that in the process of the continuous rise of Chinese auto brands, the market is also showing a state of blooming flowers, and more and more new forces are beginning to be recognized by consumers and the market.

According to the data, from January to April, the sales volume of the top ten enterprise groups in terms of automobile sales totaled 6.594 million, a year-on-year decrease of 12.4%, accounting for 85.7% of the total automobile sales, 0.3 percentage points lower than the same period last year. The cumulative sales volume of new car manufacturing enterprises reached 384000, an increase of 87.1% year-on-year, accounting for 5%, an increase of 2.6 percentage points year-on-year.

Recently, key enterprises in Shanghai, Changchun and other places have resumed production, and most automobile enterprises and parts enterprises are also stepping up efforts to remedy the capacity gap.

According to Chen Shihua, the China Automobile Association learned from relevant enterprises that at present, most companies have abundant orders on hand, and the top priority is to ensure production capacity and supply.

Judging from the current situation, the development situation of the automobile industry is gradually improving. It is necessary for relevant enterprises to strive to catch the key window period in May and June to make up for the lost production and sales. It is expected that the automobile industry is expected to maintain stable development throughout the year.