August 2026 China EV sales: BYD's exports close in on Chery's lead

August's batch of monthly results confirms BYD as China's volume king, with 433,384 passenger cars sold (+16.7% YoY) — and an export tally of 188,746 that now sits within striking distance of Chery's export-leading 196,984. Chery shipped out roughly 70% of the 280,128 vehicles it sold in total. The overseas push has become central to BYD's business: 53% of its first-half 2026 revenue was earned abroad.

Inside BYD's lineup, the Dynasty and Ocean ranges accounted for 375,373 units, Fang Cheng Bao added 41,568 (+155.6% YoY), Denza contributed 16,001 (+33.4%) and Yangwang 442 (+9.1%). Among other established groups, SAIC posted 187,037 NEVs (+44.1%), Geely 175,877 (+9.4%) with Galaxy leading at 119,115 and Zeekr hitting an all-time high of 36,981 (+109.8%), Chery's NEV arm delivered 120,909 (+69.8%), and Changan's new-energy division reached 105,000, split between Qiyuan (45,885), Deepal (28,659) and Avatr (8,082).

Leapmotor again led the startup camp with 103,129 global deliveries (+80.7%), the only newcomer to clear 100,000 units in back-to-back months. Huawei-backed HIMA slid 5.6% year-on-year to 42,101 — its first annual drop — with Aito supplying about 20,652 of those. Xpeng delivered 39,107 (+4%), with the flagship GX at 7,338 and cumulative MONA sales passing 310,000. Li Auto's 37,679 (+32.1%) came with an eye on September's new MEGA and i9 launches. Nio posted 35,836 (+14.5%), powered by 21,174 units from the core brand (+101.2%), 8,810 Onvos and 5,852 Fireflies, while Xiaomi cleared 30,000 deliveries for a fifth straight month.