China Automobile Dealers Association: October passenger car terminal retail volume is expected to be around 1.65 million units, basically flat compared with September.

According to the China Automobile Dealers Association, the October auto market entered the traditional "Silver October" peak season, but its performance was noticeably lackluster. The National Day holiday effect, together with large autumn auto shows in multiple regions and promotional policies, drove a marked increase in showroom traffic and orders in the first half of the month. However, showroom traffic fell rapidly back to normal levels in the second half, and the release of demand lacked sustainability. At the retail level, a wait-and-see mood persisted, with consumers generally waiting for the year-end discount window, intensifying price-comparison competition, lengthening purchase decision cycles, and eroding the quality of valid leads. Meanwhile, the continued rise in new energy vehicle penetration, compounded by oil price factors as a constraint, continued to divert potential fuel-vehicle customers, and overall transaction performance fell short of peak-season expectations. On a comprehensive basis, October passenger car retail sales are estimated at around 1.65 million units, essentially flat month-on-month versus September.