Coronavirus: China car sales mark first gain in almost two years after restrictions are eased

Sales in April hit 2.07 million units in the world’s biggest car market, up 4.4 per cent from a year earlier, according to the country’s largest industry association

The number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold fell for a tenth straight month to 72,000 units, the data showed

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The global industry has been hit hard by the health crisis, but there is growing optimism of improvement in business in China as the country has largely contained the outbreak and started easing lockdown measures. Photo: AFP

Published: 3:11pm, 11 May 2020Updated: 9:04am, 12 May 2020

China’s monthly car sales rose for the first time in almost two years in April, industry data showed, as more customers visited showrooms after the economy began to open up and authorities loosened coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

Sales in April hit 2.07 million units in the world’s biggest car market, up 4.4 per cent from a year earlier, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the country’s largest industry association.

This follows a 43 per cent drop in March and a sharper 79 per cent plunge in February as the pandemic pummelled demand. Monthly sales in China last rose in June 2018.

The number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) sold fell for a tenth straight month to 72,000 units, the data showed. NEVs include battery-powered electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.

The global industry has been hit hard by the health crisis, but there is growing optimism of improvement in business in China as the country has largely contained the outbreak and started easing lockdown measures.

Volkswagen reported positive China sales in April, while General Motors’ China ventures saw double-digit year-on-year growth last month.