In the third week of April, the China EV market was mostly up, with several exceptions. Nio was up 54%, Tesla 26%, Xiaomi was up 14%, and BYD 5% compared to the week before.
The weekly sales were published by Li Auto. However, Li Auto ceased publishing them in March after the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) “recommended” that Li Auto, the media and any third parties end it. CAAM says weekly data “undermines the industry order” and “fuels vicious competition.” Since then, Li Auto has published only its own EV registration.
The weekly data are used by consultants, analysts, or investors to see the sales trend and forecast monthly deliveries. They show how many cars were registered for road traffic, which can be later compared with automakers’ self-reported monthly sales, which, unlike registrations, include cars for showrooms, test cars, and other uses.
China-controlled media have followed CAAM’s recommendation to stop publishing weekly figures. CarNewsChina continues to publish weekly insurance registrations, based on China EV DataTracker data.
The numbers are rounded and present new energy vehicle (NEV) sales, the Chinese term for BEVs, PHEVs, and EREVs (range extenders). To be completely precise, it also includes hydrogen vehicles (FCEVs), but their sales are almost non-existent in China.
Week 16 of 2025 (W16) was between April 14 and 20.
BYD led the week of April 14–20 with 56,300 registrations, a 5.4% increase from the previous week’s 53,400. In the first three weeks of April, BYD registered 154,800 vehicles in China.
BYD’s brand Denza recorded 3,300 registrations, up 10.0% from 3,000 the week before. In the first three weeks of April, Denza registered 8,900 vehicles in China.
As for other brands, Fang Cheng Bao registered 2000 units, while Yangwang registered 30 units.
Li Auto posted 8,800 registrations, up 22.2% from 7,200 the week before. In the first three weeks of April, Li Auto registered 22,200 vehicles in China.
Li Auto sells mainly EREV SUVs. Last year, it launched its first all-electric car, Li Mega. However, the sales were disastrous for the coffin-like vehicle. In response, Li Auto delayed the launch of another all-electric model to Q2 2025 – it will be an all-electric SUV, Li Auto i8, which was already teased in spy shots.
Li Auto reportedly aims to sell 700,000 cars in 2025. In 2024, the company sold 500,508 vehicles.
Stellantis-backed Leapmotor recorded 8,600 registrations, growing 34.4% from 6,400 units the previous week. In the first three weeks of April, Leapmotor registered 20,400 vehicles in China.
Leapmotor managed to outsell both Xiaomi and Tesla.
Xiaomi saw 7,200 registrations, a 14.3% increase from 6,300 the previous week. In the first three weeks of April, Xiaomi registered 18,600 vehicles in China.
Last month, Beijing-based smartphone giant raised its 2025 delivery target by 50,000 units to 350,000 vehicles.
In 2024, the company delivered 135,000 vehicles.
Tesla registered 6,800 vehicles, up 25.9% from 5,400 a week earlier. In the first three weeks of April, Tesla registered 15,800 vehicles in China.
Tesla China sold 78,828 vehicles in March, including domestic sales and overseas shipments from Giga Shanghai. This is 11.5% down from 89,064 units last year and up 156.9% from 30,688 units in February.
Model breakdown:
- Model Y: 4,000
- Model 3: 2,800
Xpeng had 6,600 registrations, down slightly by 1.5% from 6,700 the previous week. In the first three weeks of April, Xpeng registered 20,800 vehicles in China.
Xpeng’s monthly delivery volume has exceeded 30,000 vehicles for the fifth consecutive month as the company announced 33,205 delivered units in March. The Mona M03 entry-level sedan has powered its deliveries, contributing about half of the sales in the last three months. Mona M03 recently reached 100,000 produced units, 216 days after the launch.
Model breakdown:
- Mona M03 liftback: 2,700
- P7+ sedan: 1,600
- G6 SUV: 1,400
- X9 MPV: 500
- G9 large SUV: 300
Nio rose to 5,400 registrations, marking a 54.3% increase from 3,500 the previous week. In the first three weeks of April, Nio registered 10,700 vehicles in China.
For Nio, this is a record-breaking weekly sales in 2025.
The increase in registrations was caused by the stimulus introduced in early April. Nio ramped up incentives to boost sales and clear inventory ahead of the launch of facelifted models. New Nio buyers can get 5 years of free battery swap, with a cap of 240.
Model breakdown:
- ES6 SUV: 1,900
- ET5 Touring: 1,800
- EC6 SUV: 660
- ET5 sedan: 600
- ES8 large SUV: 140
- ET7 sedan: 100
- EC7 SUV: 50
- ES7 SUV: 1
Onvo saw 775 registrations, up 6.2% from 730 the week before. In the first three weeks of April, Onvo registered 2,205 vehicles in China.
Onvo sells a single model, an L60 SUV, launched in September 2024 to compete with the Tesla Model Y. Its initial monthly sales target was to reach 10,000 units in December and 20,000 in March.
The December target was achieved with little help from selling cars to its own employees. However, the March target of 20,000 units was strongly missed; the brand delivered only 4,820 vehicles. As a result, Onvo CEO Alan Ai resigned and was replaced by Shen Fei, head of Nio Power.
Onvo will soon launch its second car, the massive SUV L90, which will have its public debut tomorrow at the Shanghai Auto Show. It will compete with Li Auto L9 and Aito M9 and most likely cannibalise sales of Nio’s first mass-produced EV, the ES8.
Nio Group’s sales target is about 440,000 vehicles in 2024, of which Onvo should contribute half. Last year, the company delivered 220,000 vehicles.
Nio’s third brand launched its first EV, Firefly, on April 19. Yes, the brand’s name is Firefly, and the name of the EV is also Firefly. The small electric hatchback starts at 125,800 yuan (16,770 USD) with a battery.
Firefly supports battery swap. However, it can’t swap batteries currently as there are no compatible swap stations. The container swap stations dedicated to Firefly were scrapped, and the fifth-generation swap station, which should support the Nio brand, Onvo, and Firefly, will launch next year with limited availability.
Firefly will launch between June and August in Europe.
Together, Nio Group registered 6,200 vehicles, up 48% from 4,200 vehicles the week before.
Deepal reported 4,500 registrations, up 3.7% from 4,340 units the previous week. In the first three weeks of April, Deepal registered 12,940 vehicles in China.
Aito climbed to 4,400 registrations, increasing 37.5% from 3,200 a week earlier. In the first three weeks of April, Aito registered 12,400 vehicles in China.
Zeekr reached 2,700 registrations, a 17.4% rise from 2,300 the previous week. In the first three weeks of April, Zeekr registered 7,700 vehicles in China.
Avatr posted 1,400 registrations, down 6.7% from 1,500 the previous week. In the first three weeks of April, Avatr registered 4,200 vehicles in China.
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