2020 Overall Asia Region Auto Industry Sales Figures

Asian Passenger Car Sales for 2020

In 2020, the Asian automotive market experienced significant challenges and disruptions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic had a profound impact on car sales across the region as countries implemented lockdown measures, restricted movement, and faced economic uncertainties. China’s automotive industry, the largest in the world, faced a sharp decline in car sales in the first quarter of 2020 due to the pandemic. However, as the country managed to contain the virus and gradually lifted restrictions, car sales started to recover. The Chinese government introduced measures to stimulate the market, such as tax cuts and incentives for purchasing new vehicles. By the end of 2020, car sales in China showed signs of recovery, although they did not reach pre-pandemic levels.

Japan’s car market experienced a decline in sales in 2020. The pandemic and related lockdown measures significantly impacted consumer demand, leading to a decrease in car sales. Additionally, supply chain disruptions and production halts affected the availability of vehicles. The market saw a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller cars and hybrid models, reflecting a growing interest in fuel efficiency. The Indian automobile industry faced severe challenges in 2020. Car sales plummeted due to the nationwide lockdown imposed to control the spread of COVID-19. The restrictions severely impacted manufacturing, sales, and consumer demand. As a result, car sales in India experienced a significant decline throughout the year. However, the market saw a gradual recovery in the latter part of the year as restrictions were eased.

South Korea’s automotive industry also faced a decline in car sales in 2020. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and manufacturing operations, leading to a decrease in production and sales. Consumer sentiment was impacted by economic uncertainties, causing a decline in demand. However, the market saw some recovery in the second half of the year as the situation improved. Car sales in Southeast Asia were significantly affected by the pandemic. Lockdown measures and travel restrictions led to a sharp decline in car sales across the region. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, which have a significant automotive industry, experienced a notable drop in sales. Governments in some countries introduced stimulus packages and measures to support the industry, but overall sales remained low throughout the year.

The indicator estimates the number of new passenger car registrations and sales that took place within a country in a year. Passenger cars are road motor vehicles, other than a motor cycle, intended for the carriage of passengers and designed to seat no more than nine persons (including the driver).

List of Asian Countries by Motor Vehicle Production for 2020

The average for 2020 based on 17 Asian area countries was 447,349 new passenger cars sold. The highest value was in China: 20,177,731 passenger cars and the lowest value was in Kuwait: 72,648 passenger cars. Total Asia region passenger car sales hit 30,957,823 units produced.

• Total Car Sales for 2020: 30,957,823 – for all of Asia
• Top Ranked Country Sales: 20,177,731 – China
• Lowest Ranked Country Sales: 72,648 – Kuwait
• Average Country Sales: 1,821,048.4
• Number of Countries in Analysis: 17

It’s important to note that specific sales figures and rankings may vary slightly depending on the source, as data can differ between different market research firms and organizations. For this analysis, we have used OICA data.

2020 Asia Region Passenger Car Sales Chart

This visual tree-chart shows the relative size of the Asian car market and how each country fairs in terms of market share size.

Top Asian Car Markets Ranked for 2020

Source: OICA