Several important data points in the Chinese automotive industry are improving. On October 14th, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) held a communication meeting to introduce that in the first three quarters of 2025, multiple economic indicators of the automotive industry will achieve double-digit growth. Among them, the production and sales volume of new energy vehicles exceeded 11 million units in the first three quarters, with a year-on-year growth rate of over 30%. The penetration rate of new energy vehicles reached 46.1%. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, during the traditional peak season of "Golden September and Silver October" in the automotive market in September, China's automobile production and sales reached 3.276 million and 3.226 million vehicles, respectively, with a month on month increase of 16.4% and 12.9%, and a year-on-year increase of 17.1% and 14.9%, respectively. For the first time in history, the production and sales volume of automobiles exceeded 3 million units during the same period, and the monthly year-on-year growth rate has remained above 10% for five consecutive months. According to statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the production and sales of new energy vehicles exceeded 11 million units in the first three quarters. In September, China's automobile production and sales reached 3.276 million and 3.226 million units respectively, an increase of 17.1% and 14.9% year-on-year. In the first three quarters of 2025, the cumulative production and sales of automobiles in China reached 24.333 million and 24.363 million respectively, an increase of 13.3% and 12.9% year-on-year. In terms of different categories of vehicle models, in September, China's passenger car production and sales reached 2.9 million and 2.859 million respectively, an increase of 16% and 12.5% month on month and a year-on-year increase of 15.9% and 13.2%, respectively. In the first three quarters of 2025, the cumulative production and sales of passenger cars in China reached 21.241 million and 21.246 million respectively, an increase of 13.9% and 13.7% year-on-year. Among the main types of passenger cars, compared with the same period in 2024, the production and sales of the four major categories of passenger cars have all shown varying degrees of growth, with the production and sales growth rate of crossover passenger cars being the most significant. In September, the production and sales of commercial vehicles in China reached 376000 and 368000 respectively, with a month on month increase of 19.3% and 16.3%, and a year-on-year increase of 27.7% and 29.6%, respectively. Among the main varieties of commercial vehicles, the production and sales of buses and trucks have both shown double-digit growth on a month on month and year-on-year basis. In the first three quarters of 2025, the cumulative production and sales of commercial vehicles in China reached 3.091 million and 3.117 million respectively, an increase of 9.4% and 7.8% year-on-year. Compared with the same period in 2024, the production and sales of buses and trucks have shown varying degrees of growth in the main varieties of commercial vehicles. In terms of new energy vehicles, in September, China's production and sales of new energy vehicles reached 1.617 million and 1.604 million respectively, an increase of 16.3% and 15% month on month and a year-on-year increase of 23.7% and 24.6%, respectively. The penetration rate of new energy vehicles (the proportion of new energy vehicle sales in the total new vehicle sales) reached 49.7%. Among the main varieties of new energy vehicles, the production and sales of the three major categories of new energy vehicles have shown varying degrees of growth on a month on month and year-on-year basis. In the first three quarters of 2025, the cumulative production and sales of new energy vehicles in China reached 11.243 million and 11.228 million respectively, an increase of 35.2% and 34.9% year-on-year, and the penetration rate of new energy vehicles reached 46.1%. Among the main varieties of new energy vehicles, compared with the same period last year, the production and sales of fuel cell vehicles have rapidly declined, while the production and sales of the other two categories of new energy vehicle varieties have shown varying degrees of growth. In the first three quarters of 2025, the export volume of automobiles increased by 14.8% year-on-year. In terms of enterprises, data shows that in the first three quarters of 2025, the top ten automobile sales companies (groups) sold a total of 20.431 million vehicles, accounting for 83.9% of the total automobile sales. Among the top ten companies in terms of automobile sales, compared with the same period in 2024, Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Guangzhou Automobile Group have shown varying degrees of decline in sales, while other companies have shown varying degrees of growth in sales. Data shows that in September, China's automobile exports reached 652000 units, a month on month increase of 6.7% and a year-on-year increase of 21%. In the first three quarters of 2025, automobile exports reached 4.95 million units, a year-on-year increase of 14.8%. In terms of export enterprises, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that in September, among the top ten companies in terms of vehicle exports, Chery exported 141000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 29%, accounting for 21.6% of the total export volume; BYD's export growth rate is the most significant, with exports reaching 71000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of over 120%. In the first three quarters of 2025, among the top ten companies in terms of vehicle exports, Chery's export volume reached 936000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 12.9%, accounting for 18.9% of the total export volume; BYD's export growth rate is the most significant, with exports reaching 705000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of over 130%. On October 9th, BYD's 14 millionth new energy vehicle was rolled off the assembly line at a passenger car factory in Brazil. This abandoned Ford factory has been successfully transformed into a new energy vehicle base, marking a new chapter in BYD's globalization. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has raised its annual expectations for the auto market. A person in charge of the CAAM told reporters that in September 2025, the policy of exchanging old cars for new ones will continue to take effect, and subsidies for cars will be suspended and restarted in many regions. In some areas, there will be an increase, and consumers' enthusiasm for buying cars will be released. In addition, the recent release of a new round of work plans for stabilizing growth in the automotive industry has boosted consumer confidence, and companies have actively promoted the continuous launch of new car models, helping the passenger car market operate smoothly. Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, told reporters that in the fourth quarter of 2025, the Chinese auto market is expected to continue its steady growth momentum on the basis of policy guidance and high growth. The adjustment of the new energy purchase tax reduction policy in 2026 (from "full exemption" to "halving") will stimulate consumers to concentrate on buying cars before the end of this year. Coupled with the peak season of "Golden September and Silver October" and the rush of car companies at the end of the year, the dual wheel drive pattern of new energy and exports will be further strengthened. The upgrading of intelligent networking technology and the improvement of market order brought about by "anti internal competition" will also support consumer confidence, and it is expected to achieve slight positive growth in the fourth quarter. Cui Dongshu stated that the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) had previously raised its full year car market forecast for 2025. After discussions in late October, the forecast will be further adjusted, and it is expected that the growth forecast for 2025 will be revised upwards. (New Society)