China EV Share Hits Record 67% in September as ICE Sales Plunge 49%

High gas prices and a never-ending wave of new BEVs has allowed September to reach 67% EV market share, a new record!

However, while record market share was achieved in the past thanks to strong EV sales, this time, the record achievement is thanks to a significant ICE (internal combustion engine) crash. The overall market dropped 28% year over year (YoY), to around 1.6 million sales. Plugins were down 17% YoY, but pure ICE sales were much worse off, crashing 49% YoY!

Adding 45% BEV share to PHEVs (22% share) meant that, in September, a record 67% of all cars sold in China had a plug! If this trend continues in the future, the Chinese market will be fully electrified by 2030, and will be 100% BEV before 2035!

This great result pulled the 2026 share up, to 58%, already 4% above the full year result of 2025. BEVs on their own were up to 39% (versus 33% in 2025).

At this pace, I expect the final number for 2026 EV share in China to be above 60%, with BEVs alone north of the 40% mark. And when the largest global automotive market gets this electrified … then the ICE industry is in serious trouble.

The ICE extinction is also visible in the overall ranking. Although, this month, we should highlight that two ICE models reached the top 10, both coming from the Toyota stable — the Corolla Cross in 8th and the RAV4 in 10th.

Although it might seem strange to highlight the fact that ICE models reached the overall top 10, this follows the same logic of “news is not when a dog bites a man, but when a man bites a dog,” meaning that in the last few months it has become normal to have a 100% plugin overall top 10 in China, so when ICE models return to the top 10, it is news, because that is no longer the norm.

Looking at the best sellers in several size categories, the ICE extinction is also quite visible. Although, once again, the C-segment/compact category is the exception, with the only ICE representative showing up there — the Toyota Corolla Cross, in 2nd, behind the leader Nevo Q05 and just ahead of the BYD Dolphin.

Having a quick look at the five size categories, the highlight is the smaller category, which is finally back to decent volumes. The Bestune Xiaoma showed up in a surprising 2nd place.

Another highlight is the fact that the new BYD Great Tang, the automaker’s new flagship SUV, joined the podium — in 3rd, behind the Xiaomi BEV models.

Here’s more info and commentary on September’s top selling electric models:

#1 — Tesla Model Y

The extended wheelbase version, imaginatively called “L,” is helping the Model Y’s fortunes in China. In September, deliveries reached 50,359 units, which allowed it to win the monthly best seller prize. Nonetheless, deliveries slid 2% compared to September 2025. The long-wheelbase version is proving to be of big help to the US crossover, keeping the Model Y’s sales afloat, but new variants can only do so much. When most direct competitors are transitioning to 800V platforms and adding new features, the six-year-old Model Y is starting to look a bit old. Still, the Tesla crossover has enough demand to provide it a podium position this year. Next year, though? Hard to see it getting there.

#2 — Geely Xingyuan

A BYD Dolphin for BYD Seagull money ($10,000). This was Geely’s internal memo to describe the formula for the Geely Xingyuan when developing its star model. With an interesting name — Xingyuan translates as “wishing upon a star” — it seems that Geely had its wish granted. However, the Geely model lost the best seller trophy in September, with its 44,275 registrations representing an 8% drop YoY. Proof that the competition never sleeps in China, Geely’s hatchback now has to deal with Leapmotor’s B-segment contenders, the A10 and A05; the new-generation Wuling Bingo; Chery’s new QQ3; let’s not forget about BYD’s Yuan Up; and, above all, there’s the new-generation BYD Seagull, which has just one goal — to steal the Xingyuan’s best seller crown in 2026.

#3 — BYD Song (BEV+PHEV)

BYD’s midsize SUV continues to implement the transition to the new generation. Thanks to the ramp-up of the new Ultra body, BYD’s star player was 3rd, scoring 30,603 registrations. Sales were up by 25% compared to the same month last year. Once the new generation is fully ramped up, the Song will once again be a fierce adversary for the competition to beat. The new Ultra generation features lidar and 1,500 kW DC charging, and these two features aren’t even the most impressive aspect of the model! That would be the price. It starts at 152,000 yuan (or $22,000) with the 76 kWh battery, and it goes up to 180,000 yuan (or $26,000) with the 83 kWh battery. For comparison, the Tesla Model Y starts in China at 259,000 yuan ($38,250)…. Expect the Song to experience a second youth in the second half of the year, and while it is impossible to displace the Tesla Model Y from the runner-up spot, the last place on the podium is doable this year. And maybe gold in 2027?

#4 — Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 (BEV+PHEV)

BYD’s premium arm Fang Cheng Bao has a success on its hands. This big Land Rover SUV, the Ti (Tai?) 7, scored 27,544 registrations last month, a new year best. The BEV versions of this Chinese Defender were recently launched (92 & 106 kWh batteries), including with Flash Charging technology, and they have been selling like hot cakes now that the market is shifting to pure electrics. Thanks to a successful (and boxy) design, competitive specs, and a nice interior, for its price range, this is one of those models that just begs to be sent overseas — going after not only the posh SUVs of premium brands, but also the gas guzzling Land Cruisers and Patrols of this world.

#5 — BYD Yuan Up

BYD’s small crossover continues to surprise, thanks to recently improved specs. BYD’s team player rose to 5th in September, scoring 22,767 registrations, which nevertheless was a 12% decline YoY…. Despite not being the most exciting vehicle to look at, or drive, the truth is that it scores high in value for money, with prices starting at $11,000 and higher end versions having BYD’s driver-assistance system. With small vehicles currently having a moment in China, expect the small crossover to show up in the top 5 from time to time.

Looking at the rest of the best seller table, the highlight is without a doubt the brand new MG 07, which landed with a bang by delivering a significant 14,577 units right in its landing month.

With a sporty design that reminds one of a certain model from a certain Stuttgart brand, the truth is that the attractive midsize fastback has everything to challenge the category leaders — the Xiaomi SU7, BYD Seal 06, and Tesla Model 3. It is sold both in PHEV and BEV versions, especially considering that it has a waiting list in the tens of thousands.

As for the second half of the table, two small BEVs deserve a mention. The new Chery QQ3 EV was in 18th thanks to a record 12,688 registrations, while FAW’s Bestune Xiaoma had a surprise appearance on the table, in 20th, thanks to some 12,500 registrations.

Outside the top 20, the main event was the ramp-up of Xpeng’s new baby, the Mona L03, which with some 12,000 registrations in September sure looks close to joining the top 20. The same can be said about the Leapmotor A05, which had around the same number of deliveries as the Mona L03. It is another Leapmotor model close to joining the table soon.

This was a month with plenty of significant debuts. Besides the aforementioned MG 07, a few other models started their careers on a high note. There’s Xiaomi’s Sky Nomad twins (the N70 had some 7,000 deliveries, while the larger N90 had around 5,000). There’s also the Geely Galaxy TT, the make’s answer to the Xiaomi SU7, which had close to 7,000 deliveries — a similar number to the VW ID.ERA 5S, Volkswagen’s latest attempt to stop the sales bleeding and convince previous VW Lavida owners to stay with the brand.

Looking at the 2026 ranking, the podium remained the same, and unless something unexpected happens, it should stay as it is until the end of the year, with the small Geely repeating its 2025 win. That also means the Tesla Model Y will return to silver after getting bronze in 2025, and the BYD Song will get back onto the podium after a one-year absence.

Below the podium positions, though, there was some news. The Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7 took profit from another positive month and went up to 4th, with the BYD Yuan Up and Leapmotor A10 following suit, in 6th and 7th, respectively.

In the second half of the table, the BYD Dolphin was up to 12th, all while yet another BYD joined the table, the Seal 06 in 19th. That means there are 7 BYDs in the top 20, not counting the FCB Ti7….

Looking at the overall manufacturer ranking, it is a sea of red. Everyone is losing sales — big time. Tesla’s 9% drop and Xiaomi’s 5% fall can be considered a win in light of the fact that most of their competitors are experiencing 20%-plus drops.

So, if the big boys on top are crashing, who is winning?

Leapmotor. The Hangzhou startup continue to defy logic and was up an amazing 31% YoY, to 78,000 registrations. And with plenty of fresh metal coming in (the A10 and A05 ramping up, the D19, the D99…), expect sales to continue on the way up, endangering the positions of not only VW and Toyota as they try to adapt to the new realities of the market, but even big shot Geely.

I mean, it just takes Leapmotor’s A10 and A05 starting to steal relevant sales from the Geely Xingyuan, and Geely could see its silver medal slip from its hands and into Leapmotor’s….

Long story short: the Chinese automotive market is currently a tale of two different markets — a shrinking old ICE one, where foreign legacy OEMs still hold the majority, and the increasingly more significant EV market, where local brands dominate the landscape.

Looking at the auto brand ranking, there’s really not much news. Leader BYD is firm in the leadership position (17.2%), while runner-up Geely still hasn’t managed to stop its market share from sliding, now down to 7.1%.

This means that rising Leapmotor (6.5%, up 0.1%) is fast approaching Geely. It wouldn’t be surprising if the startup brand become the new silver medalist in the final days of the year.

Meanwhile, Tesla (4.9%, up from 4.7% in August) gained some ground over #5 Wuling (4.6%, down 0.1%). Expect Tesla to keep the #4 position, as its September peak should help it gain some distance over Wuling.

Looking at OEMs/automotive groups/alliances, BYD is leading, with 21.8% share of the market, up 0.1% in September. The leader is benefitting from the continued success of Fang Cheng Bao, and from a strong coming out month for Denza.

Meanwhile, #2 Geely lost 0.1% share and got down to 11.8%, but the multinational conglomerate still has the runner-up spot secured.

#3 SAIC was stable (8%) and remained firm in the last place on the podium, while Changan lost the #4 position, to rising Leapmotor (6.5%, up 0.1%). Will we see the startup challenge #3 SAIC in 2027?