China’s Auto Market Slumps Again as Consumers Pull Back, Forcing Carmakers to Rely on Overseas EV Boom

China’s auto market weakened for a seventh straight month in April, with domestic vehicle sales down 21.6% year over year.

At the same time, EV and plug-in hybrid exports surged 111.8% as automakers sought growth in overseas markets.

Weak consumer confidence and an intense price war are pressuring sales at home and squeezing margins.

The split highlights China’s growing reliance on foreign demand, with major implications for global EV competition.