China’s Auto Industry and Million-Unit Automakers: A Data Review

On May 28, China’s automotive industry reached a historic milestone as SAIC Motor delivered its 100 millionth vehicle, becoming the first domestic automaker to enter the “100-million-vehicle era.” This achievement reflects over 70 years of steady progress in China’s automotive industry, witnessing the leap from early-stage exploration to a robust rise in Chinese manufacturing.

1. Share of New Energy Vehicles at SAIC Motor (2025–Apr. 2026)

1.1 Full Year 2025

• Total sales: 4.507 million vehicles

• NEV sales: 1.643 million vehicles

• NEV share: 36.5%

1.2 January–April 2026 

• Total sales: 1.302 million vehicles 

• NEV sales: 412,000 vehicles 

• NEV share: 31.7%

2. From “Made in China” to “Intelligent Manufacturing in China”: The Significance of SAIC’s 100 Million Vehicle Milestone

2.1 Made in China: Building the Foundation from Zero (1950s–2000s)

• 1958: SAIC’s predecessor hand-built the Phoenix sedan, marking the beginning of China’s automotive industry.

• 1983: The first Santana rolled off the production line with a localization rate of only 2.7%. Ten years later, by 1993, localization exceeded 90%, becoming a benchmark joint-venture model.

• After 2000: Large-scale joint-venture manufacturing helped China rapidly accumulate production capacity and manufacturing expertise, turning the country into the “world’s factory.”

2.2 China’s Supply Chain: From Dependence to Self-Reliance (2010s–2020s)

• Core breakthroughs: Backed by Huayu Automotive, one of the world’s leading auto parts suppliers, SAIC achieved greater control over key technologies including power batteries, intelligent chassis systems, smart cockpits, and advanced autonomous driving systems.

• Localization progress: From relying almost entirely on imported core components during the Santana era to over 95% local sourcing in the NEV era, China has built one of the world’s most complete and efficient automotive supply chains.

• Global expansion: NEV models such as MG and IM Motors are now being exported to Europe, marking China’s shift from OEM manufacturing to global automotive supply leadership.

2.3 Overtaking Through the NEV Revolution (2020s–Present)

• Industry turning point (2025): China’s NEV sales reached 16.49 million units, accounting for 47.9% of total vehicle sales and ranking No.1 globally for 11 consecutive years.

• SAIC’s transformation: SAIC’s NEV share rose from just 0.19% in 2015 to 36.5% in 2025 — a 192-fold increase in ten years.

• Technology innovation: Mass production of proprietary technologies including Rubik’s Cube Battery, semi-solid-state batteries, steer-by-wire chassis, and full-stack intelligent driving systems.

• Brand portfolio: Roewe (family vehicles), MG (global market), IM Motors (premium EVs), Wuling (affordable mobility), and Shangjie (HarmonyOS smart mobility), covering all price segments and categories.

A Milestone in the Global Energy Transition

Today, two out of every three new energy vehicles sold globally are made in China. China’s automotive industry has transformed from a follower in the fuel vehicle era into a global leader in electric mobility, becoming a benchmark for advanced manufacturing and new productive forces.

3. 100 million vehicles is more than a number—it represents a major milestone for China’s automotive industry and for “Made in China.”

SAIC Motor’s cumulative production and sales of 100 million vehicles not only witness over 70 years of China’s automotive industry evolving from nothing to strength, but also represent the convergence of three major milestones:

• Manufacturing milestone: From hand-built vehicles to becoming the world’s largest automobile producer.

• Supply chain milestone: From technological dependence to full-chain self-reliance and global supply.

• Energy revolution milestone: From following in fuel vehicles to leading globally in new energy vehicles.