2021 Best Selling Passenger Cars In China (All Models Ranked)
2021 saw a bounce-back in passenger car sales after the initial disruption caused by the pandemic in 2020. This recovery was buoyed by strong economic growth and pent-up demand. The New Energy Vehicle (NEV) trend continued to grow in 2021, driven by government incentives, increased consumer acceptance, and an expanding charging infrastructure. The global semiconductor chip shortage had a significant effect on the automotive industry, including in China. Production delays and waiting periods for certain models became commonplace.
Volkswagen: continued to be a dominant player in China, with models like the Volkswagen Lavida and Sagitar being particularly popular. With models like the Corolla and Camry, Toyota continued to make strong sales, and its hybrid offerings gained traction. The Civic and Accord, along with the CR-V in the SUV segment, maintained Honda’s strong presence in the Chinese market.
Boosted by its electric and hybrid models like the Han and Qin, BYD further solidified its position as a top seller in the NEV space. The domestic Geely Emgrand series, remained popular in 2021, reflecting the strength of Chinese brands in the local market. The Model 3 and Model Y, produced at the Shanghai Gigafactory, retained strong sales momentum throughout the year.
Here Are The Most Popular Passenger Cars in China for 2021
This data table looks at full year passenger car sales volumes in China by model. We compare China market passenger car model sales for the full year versus the full year last year.
| Model | Month | Month LY | Change | This Year Sales | Last Year Sales | YTD Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeekr 001 | 6,007 | 0 | 0.00 | 6,007 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Lynk and Co 02 | 13,841 | 21,301 | -35.02 | 13,841 | 21,301 | -35.02 |
| Lynk and Co 03 | 76,725 | 70,334 | 9.09 | 76,725 | 70,334 | 9.09 |
| BMW 1-Series | 36,350 | 39,335 | -7.59 | 36,350 | 39,335 | -7.59 |
| MG 3 | 30,482 | 70,334 | -56.66 | 76,725 | 70,334 | 9.09 |
| BMW 3-Series | 173,000 | 156,164 | 10.78 | 173,000 | 156,164 | 10.78 |
| Peugeot 308 | 5 | 370 | -98.65 | 5 | 370 | -98.65 |
| Baojun 310 | 2,377 | 23,313 | -89.80 | 2,377 | 23,313 | -89.80 |
| Peugeot 4008 | 15,168 | 8,083 | 87.65 | 15,168 | 8,083 | 87.65 |
| Peugeot 408 | 12,466 | 9,206 | 35.41 | 12,466 | 9,206 | 35.41 |
| MG 5 | 140,866 | 47,639 | 195.69 | 140,866 | 47,639 | 195.69 |
| BMW 5-Series | 172,854 | 160,241 | 7.87 | 172,854 | 160,241 | 7.87 |
| Peugeot 508 | 9,206 | 5,231 | 75.99 | 9,206 | 5,231 | 75.99 |
| Mazda 6 | 19,502 | 93,895 | -79.23 | 61,428 | 93,895 | -34.58 |
| MG 6 | 41,926 | 93,895 | -55.35 | 61,428 | 93,895 | -34.58 |
| Volvo 90-Series | 36,217 | 35,283 | 2.65 | 36,217 | 35,283 | 2.65 |
| Geometry A | 14,986 | 5,051 | 196.69 | 14,986 | 5,051 | 196.69 |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | 58,880 | 68,063 | -13.49 | 58,880 | 68,063 | -13.49 |
| Audi A3 | 60,281 | 76,912 | -21.62 | 60,281 | 76,912 | -21.62 |
| Audi A4 | 130,263 | 130,906 | -0.49 | 130,263 | 130,906 | -0.49 |
| Sol A5 | 12,272 | 18,646 | -34.18 | 13,727 | 18,646 | -26.38 |
| Soueast A5 | 1,455 | 18,646 | -92.20 | 13,727 | 18,646 | -26.38 |
| Audi A6 | 154,388 | 180,000 | -14.23 | 154,417 | 180,000 | -14.21 |
| Changhe A6 | 29 | 180,000 | -99.98 | 154,417 | 180,000 | -14.21 |
| Honda Accord | 201,329 | 210,574 | -4.39 | 201,329 | 210,574 | -4.39 |
| Aion Aion S | 69,219 | 45,626 | 51.71 | 69,219 | 45,626 | 51.71 |
| Suzuki Alivio | 10,101 | 15,152 | -33.34 | 10,101 | 15,152 | -33.34 |
| Toyota Allion | 32,050 | 0 | 0.00 | 32,050 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Arcfox Alpha-S | 2,816 | 0 | 0.00 | 2,816 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Changan Alsvin | 32,566 | 10,760 | 202.66 | 32,566 | 10,760 | 202.66 |
| Chery Ant EV | 1,023 | 1,304 | -21.55 | 1,023 | 1,304 | -21.55 |
| Chery Arrizo 3 | 1,023 | 1,304 | -21.55 | 1,023 | 1,304 | -21.55 |
| Chery Arrizo 5 | 109,157 | 2,401 | 4,446.31 | 109,157 | 2,401 | 4,446.31 |
| Chery Arrizo 5e | 3,968 | 2,401 | 65.26 | 3,968 | 2,401 | 65.26 |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 6,006 | 10,137 | -40.75 | 6,006 | 10,137 | -40.75 |
| Cadillac ATS | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Toyota Avalon | 117,188 | 111,515 | 5.09 | 117,188 | 111,515 | 5.09 |
| Bestune B30 | 1,979 | 4,119 | -51.95 | 1,979 | 4,119 | -51.95 |
| Changan Benni | 76,438 | 11,266 | 578.48 | 76,438 | 11,266 | 578.48 |
| FAW Besturn B70 | 19,859 | 2,787 | 612.56 | 19,859 | 2,787 | 612.56 |
| Geely Binrui | 52,630 | 72,360 | -27.27 | 52,630 | 72,360 | -27.27 |
| Volkswagen Bora | 248,388 | 331,682 | -25.11 | 248,388 | 331,682 | -25.11 |
| Geely Borui | 17,110 | 21,308 | -19.70 | 17,110 | 21,308 | -19.70 |
| Geely Borui GE | 2,256 | 4,305 | -47.60 | 2,256 | 4,305 | -47.60 |
| Citroen C-Elysee | 1 | 4,832 | -99.98 | 1 | 4,832 | -99.98 |
| Citroen C-Zero | 14 | 1,839 | -99.24 | 14 | 1,839 | -99.24 |
| Citroen C3L | 103 | 484 | -78.72 | 103 | 484 | -78.72 |
| Citroen C5 X | 14,152 | 0 | 0.00 | 14,152 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Citroen C6 | 7,877 | 1,573 | 400.76 | 7,877 | 1,573 | 400.76 |
| Toyota Camry | 216,764 | 185,140 | 17.08 | 216,764 | 185,140 | 17.08 |
| Chevrolet Cavalier | 15,325 | 39,261 | -60.97 | 15,325 | 39,261 | -60.97 |
| Volkswagen CC | 21,081 | 28,428 | -25.84 | 21,081 | 28,428 | -25.84 |
| Hyundai Celesta | 31,996 | 66,259 | -51.71 | 31,996 | 66,259 | -51.71 |
| Honda Civic | 159,026 | 245,126 | -35.12 | 159,026 | 245,126 | -35.12 |
| Roewe Clever | 47,338 | 11,671 | 305.60 | 47,338 | 11,671 | 305.60 |
| Toyota Corolla Family | 321,912 | 350,310 | -8.11 | 321,912 | 350,310 | -8.11 |
| Chery Cowin Xuandu | 3,037 | 0 | 0.00 | 3,037 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Honda Crider | 44,216 | 113,379 | -61.00 | 44,216 | 113,379 | -61.00 |
| Toyota Crown | 4,061 | 1,927 | 110.74 | 4,061 | 1,927 | 110.74 |
| Cadillac CT4 | 14,809 | 16,616 | -10.88 | 14,809 | 16,616 | -10.88 |
| Cadillac CT5 | 62,098 | 45,026 | 37.92 | 62,098 | 45,026 | 37.92 |
| Cadillac CT6 | 17,715 | 21,689 | -18.32 | 17,715 | 21,689 | -18.32 |
| Venucia D60 | 37,784 | 38,472 | -1.79 | 37,784 | 38,472 | -1.79 |
| BYD Dolphin EV | 29,598 | 0 | 0.00 | 29,598 | 0 | 0.00 |
| DS DS9 | 1,831 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,831 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Honda e | 3,752 | 4,078 | -7.99 | 3,752 | 4,078 | -7.99 |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 142,216 | 149,900 | -5.13 | 142,216 | 149,900 | -5.13 |
| Hongqi E-QM5 | 16,641 | 0 | 0.00 | 16,641 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Weltmeister E.5 | 12,121 | 0 | 0.00 | 12,121 | 0 | 0.00 |
| BYD e1 EV | 243 | 1,771 | -86.28 | 243 | 1,771 | -86.28 |
| Baojun E100 | 4,520 | 15,793 | -71.38 | 4,520 | 15,793 | -71.38 |
| Sol E10X | 36,228 | 0 | 0.00 | 36,228 | 0 | 0.00 |
| BYD e2 EV | 34,265 | 19,616 | 74.68 | 34,265 | 19,616 | 74.68 |
| Baojun E200 | 10,210 | 21,114 | -51.64 | 10,210 | 21,114 | -51.64 |
| Chery E3 | 2,922 | 5,177 | -43.56 | 2,922 | 5,177 | -43.56 |
| BYD e3 EV | 3,842 | 2,820 | 36.24 | 3,842 | 2,820 | 36.24 |
| Baojun E300 | 11,056 | 12,918 | -14.41 | 14,134 | 12,918 | 9.41 |
| JMC E300 | 3,078 | 12,918 | -76.17 | 14,134 | 12,918 | 9.41 |
| Chery E5 | 198 | 468 | -57.69 | 198 | 468 | -57.69 |
| BYD e5 EV | 1,544 | 103 | 1,399.03 | 1,544 | 103 | 1,399.03 |
| Sol E50A | 4,310 | 0 | 0.00 | 4,310 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Everus EA6 | 2,513 | 0 | 0.00 | 2,513 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Changan Eado | 170,198 | 166,964 | 1.94 | 170,198 | 166,964 | 1.94 |
| Geely EC7 Emgrand | 209,471 | 233,207 | -10.18 | 209,471 | 233,207 | -10.18 |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | 4,144 | 7,569 | -45.25 | 4,144 | 7,569 | -45.25 |
| Hyundai Elantra | 130,839 | 39,949 | 227.52 | 130,839 | 39,949 | 227.52 |
| Geely Emgrand EV & PHEV | 25,980 | 9,838 | 164.08 | 25,980 | 9,838 | 164.08 |
| Honda Envix | 35,155 | 44,751 | -21.44 | 35,155 | 44,751 | -21.44 |
| Chery eQ1 | 77,003 | 38,249 | 101.32 | 77,003 | 38,249 | 101.32 |
| Ford Escort | 43,001 | 33,049 | 30.11 | 43,001 | 33,049 | 30.11 |
| Buick Excelle | 3,502 | 3,133 | 11.78 | 3,502 | 3,133 | 11.78 |
| Buick Excelle XT/GT | 263,017 | 295,857 | -11.10 | 263,017 | 295,857 | -11.10 |
| BYD F3 | 29,177 | 10,338 | 182.23 | 29,177 | 10,338 | 182.23 |
| Dongfeng Fengguang Mini EV | 861 | 0 | 0.00 | 861 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Dongfeng Fengshen E70 | 30,411 | 4,713 | 545.26 | 30,411 | 4,713 | 545.26 |
| Dongfeng Fengshen Hyun | 68,219 | 40,964 | 66.53 | 68,219 | 40,964 | 66.53 |
| Honda Fit | 96,326 | 62,612 | 53.85 | 96,326 | 62,612 | 53.85 |
| Kia Forte | 15,539 | 20,094 | -22.67 | 15,539 | 20,094 | -22.67 |
| Dongfeng Fukang e-Elysee | 5,081 | 306 | 1,560.46 | 5,081 | 306 | 1,560.46 |
| Chery Fulwin 2 | 240 | 1,440 | -83.33 | 240 | 1,440 | -83.33 |
| Trumpchi GA4 | 3,703 | 1,734 | 113.55 | 3,703 | 1,734 | 113.55 |
| Trumpchi GA6 | 3,756 | 7,800 | -51.85 | 3,756 | 7,800 | -51.85 |
| Trumpchi GA8 | 949 | 890 | 6.63 | 949 | 890 | 6.63 |
| Trumpchi GAC Empow55 | 39,911 | 0 | 0.00 | 39,911 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Zedriv GC | 1,342 | 2,791 | -51.92 | 1,342 | 2,791 | -51.92 |
| Ora Good Cat | 50,931 | 2,016 | 2,426.34 | 50,931 | 2,016 | 2,426.34 |
| MG GS | 6 | 34 | -82.35 | 6 | 34 | -82.35 |
| MG GT | 79,653 | 49,628 | 60.50 | 79,653 | 49,628 | 60.50 |
| Hongqi H5 | 83,875 | 64,687 | 29.66 | 83,875 | 64,687 | 29.66 |
| Hongqi H7 | 6,688 | 6,715 | -0.40 | 6,688 | 6,715 | -0.40 |
| Hongqi H9 | 40,343 | 13,863 | 191.01 | 40,343 | 13,863 | 191.01 |
| BYD Han | 117,665 | 40,556 | 190.13 | 117,665 | 40,556 | 190.13 |
| MG HS | 79,653 | 49,628 | 60.50 | 79,653 | 49,628 | 60.50 |
| Hyundai i30 | 50,763 | 50,483 | 0.55 | 50,763 | 50,483 | 0.55 |
| Roewe i5 | 144,030 | 128,804 | 11.82 | 144,030 | 128,804 | 11.82 |
| Roewe i6 | 21,849 | 36,824 | -40.67 | 21,849 | 36,824 | -40.67 |
| Roewe i6 MAX New Energy | 4,057 | 0 | 0.00 | 4,057 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Volkswagen ID.3 | 6,737 | 0 | 0.00 | 6,737 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Honda Inspire | 56,353 | 55,170 | 2.14 | 56,353 | 55,170 | 2.14 |
| Honda Integra | 4,103 | 0 | 0.00 | 4,103 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Hyundai ix25 | 16,201 | 38,297 | -57.70 | 16,201 | 38,297 | -57.70 |
| Dongfeng Joyear S50 | 11,477 | 432 | 2,556.71 | 11,477 | 432 | 2,556.71 |
| Dongfeng Joyear T5 | 7,722 | 32,693 | -76.38 | 7,722 | 32,693 | -76.38 |
| Kia K2 | 29,389 | 33,515 | -12.31 | 29,389 | 33,515 | -12.31 |
| Kia K3 | 19,925 | 28,753 | -30.70 | 19,925 | 28,753 | -30.70 |
| Kia K5 | 10,929 | 18,499 | -40.92 | 10,929 | 18,499 | -40.92 |
| Mahindra KUV100 | 956 | 956 | 0.00 | 956 | 956 | 0.00 |
| Hyundai La Festa | 9,490 | 35,540 | -73.30 | 9,490 | 35,540 | -73.30 |
| Buick LaCrosse | 49,875 | 54,975 | -9.28 | 49,875 | 54,975 | -9.28 |
| Volkswagen Lamando | 55,713 | 66,020 | -15.61 | 55,713 | 66,020 | -15.61 |
| Nissan Lannia | 3,583 | 15,931 | -77.51 | 3,583 | 15,931 | -77.51 |
| Volkswagen Lavida | 393,496 | 419,793 | -6.26 | 393,496 | 419,793 | -6.26 |
| Toyota Levin | 220,549 | 222,361 | -0.81 | 220,549 | 222,361 | -0.81 |
| Toyota Levin GT | 6,297 | 0 | 0.00 | 6,297 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Honda Life | 24,896 | 6,133 | 305.94 | 24,896 | 6,133 | 305.94 |
| Arcfox Lite | 3 | 12 | -75.00 | 3 | 12 | -75.00 |
| Volkswagen Magotan | 147,340 | 0 | 0.00 | 147,340 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 51,128 | 45,662 | 11.97 | 51,128 | 45,662 | 11.97 |
| Hyundai Mistra | 5,821 | 21,649 | -73.11 | 5,821 | 21,649 | -73.11 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 272,972 | 135,449 | 101.53 | 272,972 | 135,449 | 101.53 |
| Ford Mondeo | 33,302 | 25,027 | 33.06 | 33,302 | 25,027 | 33.06 |
| Skoda Octavia | 13,230 | 26,737 | -50.52 | 13,230 | 26,737 | -50.52 |
| MG ONE | 10,878 | 0 | 0.00 | 10,878 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 124,402 | 145,805 | -14.68 | 124,402 | 145,805 | -14.68 |
| Kia Pegas | 29,389 | 1,441 | 1,939.49 | 29,389 | 1,441 | 1,939.49 |
| Volkswagen Phideon | 7,036 | 10,085 | -30.23 | 7,036 | 10,085 | -30.23 |
| Volkswagen Polo | 39,566 | 45,071 | -12.21 | 39,566 | 45,071 | -12.21 |
| Toyota Prius | 9,676 | 4,442 | 117.83 | 9,676 | 4,442 | 117.83 |
| Infiniti Q50 | 2,644 | 8,979 | -70.55 | 2,644 | 8,979 | -70.55 |
| BYD Qin EV | 19,477 | 36,525 | -46.67 | 19,477 | 36,525 | -46.67 |
| BYD Qin PHEV | 2,086 | 16,599 | -87.43 | 2,086 | 16,599 | -87.43 |
| BYD Qin Plus | 169,807 | 0 | 0.00 | 169,807 | 0 | 0.00 |
| BYD Qin Pro | 2,850 | 23,964 | -88.11 | 2,850 | 23,964 | -88.11 |
| Chery QQ | 1,301 | 1,256 | 3.58 | 1,301 | 1,256 | 3.58 |
| Chery QQ Ice Cream | 12,679 | 0 | 0.00 | 12,679 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Roewe R ER6 | 11,372 | 2,820 | 303.26 | 11,372 | 2,820 | 303.26 |
| Ora R1 / Black Cat | 63,492 | 46,774 | 35.74 | 63,492 | 46,774 | 35.74 |
| Changan Raeton CC | 26,772 | 27,503 | -2.66 | 26,772 | 27,503 | -2.66 |
| Skoda Rapid | 10,150 | 30,157 | -66.34 | 10,150 | 30,157 | -66.34 |
| Skoda Rapid Spaceback | 261 | 4,968 | -94.75 | 261 | 4,968 | -94.75 |
| Baojun RC-5 | 12,043 | 26,766 | -55.01 | 12,043 | 26,766 | -55.01 |
| Buick Regal | 96,605 | 135,877 | -28.90 | 96,605 | 135,877 | -28.90 |
| Hyundai Reina | 10,723 | 35,350 | -69.67 | 10,723 | 35,350 | -69.67 |
| Leapmotor S01 | 640 | 709 | -9.73 | 640 | 709 | -9.73 |
| Volkswagen Sagitar | 235,607 | 299,839 | -21.42 | 235,607 | 299,839 | -21.42 |
| Chevrolet Sail | 50,376 | 22,795 | 121.00 | 50,376 | 22,795 | 121.00 |
| Volkswagen Santana | 137,336 | 175,728 | -21.85 | 137,336 | 175,728 | -21.85 |
| Skoda Superb | 2,129 | 8,328 | -74.44 | 2,129 | 8,328 | -74.44 |
| Nissan Sylphy | 500,160 | 542,725 | -7.84 | 500,160 | 542,725 | -7.84 |
| Nissan Sylphy EV | 6,292 | 4,045 | 55.55 | 6,292 | 4,045 | 55.55 |
| Leapmotor T03 | 40,245 | 9,831 | 309.37 | 40,245 | 9,831 | 309.37 |
| Ford Taurus | 18,588 | 18,071 | 2.86 | 18,588 | 18,071 | 2.86 |
| Nissan Teana | 162,010 | 121,651 | 33.18 | 162,010 | 121,651 | 33.18 |
| Neta V | 49,646 | 3,033 | 1,536.86 | 49,646 | 3,033 | 1,536.86 |
| Jetta VA3 | 54,763 | 42,376 | 29.23 | 54,763 | 42,376 | 29.23 |
| Buick Velite 6 | 22,843 | 15,186 | 50.42 | 22,843 | 15,186 | 50.42 |
| Buick Velite 7 | 875 | 1,079 | -18.91 | 875 | 1,079 | -18.91 |
| Buick Verano | 30,077 | 16,928 | 77.68 | 30,077 | 16,928 | 77.68 |
| Hyundai Verna Yuena | 16,996 | 27,156 | -37.41 | 16,996 | 27,156 | -37.41 |
| Toyota Vios | 52,993 | 53,594 | -1.12 | 52,993 | 53,594 | -1.12 |
| Toyota Vios FS | 21,410 | 22,135 | -3.28 | 21,410 | 22,135 | -3.28 |
| Ora White Cat | 20,605 | 6,651 | 209.80 | 20,605 | 6,651 | 209.80 |
| Baojun x | 5,856 | 5,424 | 7.96 | 5,856 | 5,424 | 7.96 |
| Jaguar XE | 10,497 | 12,307 | -14.71 | 10,497 | 12,307 | -14.71 |
| Jaguar XF | 7,037 | 5,595 | 25.77 | 7,037 | 5,595 | 25.77 |
| Geely Xingrui | 133,596 | 19,094 | 599.68 | 133,596 | 19,094 | 599.68 |
| Sehol Yao | 5,703 | 0 | 0.00 | 5,703 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Toyota Yaris | 80,873 | 88,300 | -8.41 | 80,873 | 88,300 | -8.41 |
| MG ZS | 152,432 | 116,874 | 30.42 | 152,432 | 116,874 | 30.42 |
| ∑ = 9,436,669 | ∑ = 8,787,483 | ∑ = 9,726,618 | ∑ = 8,787,483 |
