In September, entering the traditional sales season, there is no doubt that the commercial vehicle market sales will continue to grow.

 

According to the latest data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, in September, domestic commercial vehicle sales were 371,000 units, an increase of 19.8% month-on-month, an increase of 33.2% year-on-year, in the main varieties of commercial vehicles, passenger cars, trucks sales were increased in different degrees month-on-month, year-on-year, showing a "more prosperous peak season" state; From January to September, commercial vehicle sales totaled 2.939 million units, an increase of 18.3%. Among the main varieties of commercial vehicles, the sales of buses and trucks showed double-digit growth year-on-year.

 

Truck sales of 326,000 double growth

 

In September, the truck market grew very well, with 326,000 new vehicles sold, up 20.7 per cent from the previous month and 36.5 per cent from a year earlier. In the truck subdivision varieties, compared with last month, the sales volume of the four categories of truck varieties showed varying degrees of growth; Compared with the same period last year, the sales volume of the four categories of truck varieties showed double-digit rapid growth, of which the production and sales growth of heavy goods vehicles was the most significant.

 

From January to September, the cumulative sales of trucks completed 2.592 million, an increase of 17.8%. In the main varieties of trucks, compared with the same period last year, the sales of the four categories of trucks have increased to varying degrees, of which the production and sales growth of heavy trucks is the most obvious.

 

In the view of the industry, the truck market has stabilized and grown significantly, and the recovery rate is higher than expected, which is driven by many factors. First of all, the national level has introduced a series of policies to promote consumption, and the local level has responded positively, creating good conditions for sales growth; Secondly, the autumn enterprise new products are concentrated on the market, the logistics industry to stabilize and rebound also led to the growth of trucks, the market as a whole shows the "off-season is not weak, the peak season is more prosperous" situation, the car market heat continues. In addition, the popularity of natural gas heavy trucks has contributed an important force to the growth of the truck market.

 

Passenger car sales of 45,000 light buses led the rise

 

In September, the passenger car market underperformed the freight car market, with new car sales of 45,000 units, an increase of 14 per cent month-on-month and 13.3 per cent year-on-year. In the passenger car segment, compared with the previous month, the sales of light passenger cars showed double-digit growth, and the sales of medium-sized buses and large buses showed varying degrees of decline; Compared with the same period last year, the sales of light buses increased significantly, and the production and sales of large buses and medium-sized buses declined to varying degrees.

 

From January to September, the cumulative sales volume of passenger cars was 346,000, an increase of 22.4%. In the main varieties of buses, compared with the same period last year, the production and sales of the three categories of buses showed double-digit rapid growth.

 

In recent years, due to the impact of travel modes such as high-speed rail, private cars, online car hailing and civil aviation, China's highway passenger volume continues to decline, and the passenger car market is also affected by this, into the downward channel. In addition, since the outbreak of the new coronavirus epidemic, the demand for tourist passenger transport has fallen off a cliff, making the already depressed bus market "worse". Now, after three years of hibernation, the domestic tourism industry has recovered strongly, and the demand for buses has also ushered in a rapid rebound. Specific to the market segments, the popularity of rural Tours, peripheral Tours, exquisite Tours and other businesses has brought certain growth momentum to the small and medium-sized and high-end tourist bus market.

 

The export market continued its good growth momentum

 

In September, China's automobile exports still continued a good growth momentum. Among them, 63,000 commercial vehicles were exported, an increase of 6.6% month-on-month and 24% year-on-year; From January to September, 549,000 commercial vehicles were exported, an increase of 30.2% year-on-year, which is an important growth point for the commercial vehicle market.

 

In recent years, under the background of the continuous "internal volume" of the domestic commercial vehicle market, going to sea has become the second growth curve for various enterprises to focus on and increase the overseas business layout. Since the beginning of this year, the delivery of overseas orders of major commercial vehicle brands can be described as good news.

 

Not only that, as the commercial vehicle industry enters a new round of adjustment cycle, major commercial vehicle companies have sought a high-quality development road, and continue to increase the layout of new energy tracks. At the same time, the relevant support policies have played a very important role in cultivating the consumer market of new energy commercial vehicles and driving the development of the industry, and have largely promoted the improvement of the technical level of new energy commercial vehicles.

 

Since the beginning of this year, driven by many favorable factors such as macroeconomic recovery, the introduction of favorable policies, and the growth of export and new energy vehicle market segments, the domestic commercial vehicle market has gradually recovered from the trough, and corporate performance has continued to improve. The market performance of "Gold Nine" exceeding expectations also makes the industry full of expectations for the arrival of "silver ten". Looking forward to the fourth quarter, with the continuous landing of various policies to promote automobile consumption and stabilize the growth of the industry, the effect continues to accumulate, and the commercial vehicle market is expected to steadily pick up.

 

Originally published by China Automotive News, October 13, 2023