Skip to content

Seller briefings

Public-source analysis of ecommerce changes, separating facts from inference and providing actions and verifiable counterevidence.

Consumer trendsTariffs and exchange ratesLogistics and supply chainsGlobalEuropean Union

TrendForce: Global new energy vehicle sales reached 5.37 million in the second quarter, with China’s share falling to 56%.

Impact level

⚪ Background

What happened

On August 24, 2026, TrendForce published a study reporting that global sales of new energy vehicles (BEVs, PHEVs, and fuel cell vehicles) reached 5.37 million in the second quarter of 2026, up 10.4% year over year. The four vehicle types, including HEVs, accounted for 33.2% of global auto sales, a record high. China remained the largest market, but its share fell to 56%, down from 66% in the same period of 2025. BYD returned to first place in global BEV sales, Tesla ranked second, Leapmotor rose to third for the first time, and Volkswagen fell out of the top ten for the first time. Europe has become a key market for Chinese automakers’ PHEVs: in the second quarter, Chinese brands (excluding Volvo) accounted for nearly 30% of the Western European PHEV market. [1]

Involves:New energy vehicles、Battery electric vehicle (BEV)、Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)、Fuel cell vehicle、Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)

Seller impact

  • InferencePersistently weak domestic demand in China means more of the global growth is coming from overseas, making the ability to expand abroad a key differentiator in automakers’ scale. For cross-border sellers of automotive electronics, charging accessories, aftermarket parts, and similar products, growth in the overseas vehicle fleet is a demand-side tailwind, but the pace depends on registrations and tariff conditions in each region. [1]
  • InferenceEurope has become a key market for PHEVs because the EU has not imposed additional tariffs on China-made PHEVs, while BEVs face differing tariff treatment. If this policy position remains unchanged, Europe should take priority over other regions for shipments and localization of relevant vehicles and parts. [1]

Suggested action

Check the regional and powertrain breakdowns against TrendForce’s original report, then confirm the current EU tariff treatment of China-made PHEVs and BEVs for the relevant target market.

Evidence that would disprove the assessment

  • Assessment 1：If data for subsequent quarters show China’s share recovering to above 60% or global sales growth turning negative, the view that overseas markets are driving the growth would no longer hold. Recheck the latest quarterly data over the next two weeks.
  • Assessment 2：This view would no longer hold if the EU initiated a procedure to impose additional tariffs on China-made PHEVs or Chinese brands’ share of the Western European PHEV market fell significantly.