In China’s auto market, the share of electric vehicles in September hit a record 67%. That came as overall market sales fell 28% from a year earlier, while sales of internal combustion engine vehicles plunged 49%. On Oct. 17, EV outlet CleanTechnica reported that China’s auto sales in September were about 1.6 million vehicles, with battery electric vehicles accounting for 45% and plug-in hybrids 22%.

The record was driven more by weakness in internal combustion engine vehicles than by a surge in EV sales. Plug-in vehicle sales also fell 17% from a year earlier, but the decline in internal combustion engine vehicles was far larger.

Electrification’s cumulative share also rose. In 2026, the cumulative EV share in China’s market reached 58%, 4 percentage points higher than the full-year figure for 2025. Battery electric vehicles alone accounted for 39%, above 33% in 2025.

By model in September, the Tesla Model Y ranked first with 50,359 units. That was down 2% from a year earlier. BYD Song ranked third with 30,603 units, up 25% from a year earlier. The result reflected expanded production of the new Ultra body.

New models also lifted sales. The MG 07 logged 14,577 units in its first month on sale. The Chery QQ3 EV ranked 18th with 12,688 units, and the FAW Bestune Xiaoma entered the top 20 with about 12,500 units. The Xpeng Mona L03 and Leapmotor A05 also recorded about 12,000 units each.

The top three in the year-to-date ranking held their positions. Fangchengbao Tai 7 rose to fourth, and BYD Yuan Up and Leapmotor A10 also moved up the rankings. By brand share, BYD held onto the top spot with 17.2%, and Geely stayed second with 7.1%. Leapmotor rose to 6.5% and closed in on Geely. Its September registrations rose 31% from a year earlier to 78,000 units.

By group, BYD remained in the lead with a 21.8% share. Geely was second with 11.8%, and SAIC was third with 8%. Leapmotor ranked fourth with 6.5%, overtaking Changan.