On October 9, the China Automobile Dealers Association and Jingzhengu jointly released the "September 2026 China Automobile Residual Value Research Report," according to Zhitong Finance APP.
The report shows that in September, residual value rates across all vehicle classes generally showed a steady, slight upward trend, reversing the downward movement seen in July and August.
As the market entered the traditional peak sales season, the previously continuous decline in residual value performance eased somewhat, though improvements across classes remained mostly marginal adjustments.
From a segment perspective, mid-to-large SUVs and MPVs continued to maintain relatively high residual value levels, mid-size and compact SUVs rebounded, while small SUVs continued to decline.
Online Vehicle Source Volume Changes
Online vehicle source volume rebounded in September, rising 5.2% month-on-month, ending a previous three-month decline as source activity recovered during the peak season.
However, September vehicle source volume still fell 7.3% year-on-year.
The monthly rebound reflected a recovery in monthly rhythms during the peak season but has not yet changed the state of online vehicle source scale being lower than the same period last year.
For the industry, reasonable pricing and improving the turnover efficiency of listed vehicle sources remain the operational focus of this peak season.
Residual Value Rates by Vehicle Class
Residual value rates across all vehicle classes showed a steady, slight upward trend in September, reversing the downward movement in July and August.
As the market entered the traditional peak sales season, the previously continuous decline in residual value performance eased somewhat, though improvements across classes remained mostly marginal adjustments.
From a segment perspective, mid-to-large SUVs and MPVs continued to maintain relatively high residual value levels, mid-size and compact SUVs rebounded, while small SUVs continued to decline.
Divergent trends within the SUV segment indicate that this month's changes were not synchronized across all models, and used vehicle value performance is shifting from broad pressure to differentiated adjustment.
Luxury Brand Residual Value Rates
Luxury brand residual value rates saw a moderate recovery in September, changing from the broadly weakening situation in August.
Porsche ranked first, Lexus continued to stay near the top, and Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi also improved simultaneously, while Lincoln, Volvo, and Jaguar improved somewhat but still lagged behind leading brands.
Overall, the luxury car market is shifting from broad pressure to differentiated adjustment, with monthly gains and residual value levels not moving in sync, and differences among luxury brands remain clear.
Mainstream Overseas Brand Residual Value Rates
Mainstream joint venture brand residual value rates generally stabilized in September.
Compared with the widespread declines among most brands in August, most changes this month were smaller, with the market shifting from broad pressure to differentiated adjustment.
Japanese brands continued to occupy the top three, with Toyota holding first place, while Honda and Mazda edged down slightly, showing divergent trends among leading brands.
Buick, Nissan, and other brands rebounded.
Overall, the pressure of widespread decline among joint venture brands eased in September, the leading residual value landscape remained stable, but monthly performance across brands did not improve in sync.
Domestic Brand Residual Value Rates
Domestic brand residual value rates continued to decline in September.
GAC Trumpchi and Tank continued to rank at the top, with the leading landscape remaining stable; Li Auto, BYD, NIO, and other brands also declined only slightly.
The coexistence of a stable leading brand landscape and continued decline among most brands indicates that domestic brands' residual value performance was still adjusting in September, with pressure varying across brands.
Similarly, pressure from the new car segment for domestic brands continued to drive adjustments in used car pricing for existing models.
Therefore, the market's temporary improvement was not reflected synchronously in domestic brand residual value rates.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Popular Joint Venture Compact Cars
In the popular joint venture compact car market, which covers mainstream family vehicle demand, Lavida ranked first, supported by Volkswagen's long-accumulated user trust, mature and stable product performance, and broad market ownership.
Audi A3 and Corolla ranked near the top, jointly reflecting the continued support of brand recognition, product reliability, and circulation fundamentals for residual value performance in the joint venture compact car market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Mainstream Joint Venture Mid-Size Cars
In the mainstream joint venture mid-size car segment, which balances business travel and family quality use, Passat ranked first, supported by its steady and dignified product image, Volkswagen brand influence, and long-accumulated user reputation.
Magotan and Camry ranked near the top, jointly demonstrating the core value of product maturity and brand trust in the joint venture mid-size car market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Joint Venture Mid-to-Large Cars
In the joint venture mid-to-large car market, which emphasizes luxury texture, brand recognition, and business attributes, Mercedes-Benz E-Class ranked first, supported by luxury brand influence, mature product reputation, and a stable high-end user base.
Cadillac CT6 entered the top rankings with its American luxury design language, spacious comfort, and strong product presence, demonstrating the value support of second-tier luxury brands in the mid-to-large car market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Joint Venture MPVs
In the joint venture MPV market, which relies heavily on scenario recognition and user trust, Buick GL8 ranked first, supported by its business reception advantages built over years of cultivation, stable brand reputation, and a strong user base in the high-end MPV segment.
Granvia and Sienna ranked near the top, jointly forming the high-value camp of the joint venture MPV market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Compact MPVs
In the compact MPV segment, which balances family travel, space practicality, and usage costs, Trumpchi M6 ranked first, supported by its clear family MPV positioning, flexible and practical space performance, and GAC Trumpchi's continued accumulation in the MPV field.
Wuling Hongguang PLUS and Touran L ranked near the top, reflecting the important support of practicality and stable reputation in the compact MPV market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Battery Electric Mid-Size SUVs
In the battery electric mid-size SUV market, which is highly competitive and where users increasingly demand intelligent features and family travel experiences, Onvo L60 ranked first, supported by resource empowerment from the NIO system, clear family SUV positioning, and usage convenience brought by its battery swap ecosystem.
Model Y and Sea Lion 06 ranked near the top, jointly demonstrating the value support of brand strength, charging experience, and product maturity in the battery electric mid-size SUV market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Plug-In Hybrid Compact Cars
In the plug-in hybrid compact car market, a core segment in the electrification transformation of mainstream family sedans, Seal 05 DM-i ranked first, supported by BYD's DM technology system, low-energy usage advantages, and a balanced product positioning for family users.
Changan Qiyuan A05 Classic and Qin PLUS ranked near the top, further reflecting the key role of technical stability and usage economy in the plug-in hybrid compact car market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Plug-In Hybrid Mid-Size Cars
In the plug-in hybrid mid-size car market, which balances family comfort, energy efficiency, and quality upgrade needs, Roewe M7 DMH ranked first, supported by the usage economy brought by its DMH hybrid system, a steady mid-size car product positioning, and Roewe's continued layout in the new energy family sedan market.
Seal 06 DM-i Touring Edition and Seal 07 DM-i ranked near the top, jointly demonstrating the value vitality of the plug-in hybrid mid-size car market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: New Energy SUVs Above 350,000 Yuan
In the new energy SUV market above 350,000 yuan, a core market combining high-end positioning, business and family travel, and charging experience, NIO ES8 ranked first, supported by its market foundation as a popular 400,000-yuan-class product, mature battery swap service system, and comprehensive product strength as an all-scenario technology flagship SUV.
The all-new ES8 not only achieved considerable delivery scale on the first anniversary of its launch but also further strengthened its value recognition in the high-end new energy SUV market through high user recommendation rates and battery swap experience.
AITO M8 and Tank 500 New Energy also ranked near the top, jointly reflecting the important support of brand trust, charging efficiency, and family scenario experience for residual value performance in the high-end new energy SUV market.
Hot Model Residual Value Performance: Battery Electric Small Cars
In the battery electric small car market, where entry-level electrification competition is intense, Seagull ranked first, supported by BYD's mature new energy technology system, flexible and practical urban commuting positioning, and broad user recognition base.
Wuling Bingo and Dolphin ranked near the top, jointly reflecting the comprehensive value of usage cost, product reliability, and brand trust in the small battery electric market.
New Energy Vehicle Market Changes
The power battery recycling system is being accelerated.
This consultation focuses on standard alignment for retired power batteries from collection to processing and utilization.
If subsequent standards are implemented, the source, flow direction, and processing of retired batteries are expected to become clearer, and requirements for coordinated management among vehicle manufacturers, battery companies, repair outlets, and recycling enterprises will also increase.
Competition in the new energy vehicle industry is extending from sales and usage links further to disposal capacity after vehicle retirement.
Residual Value Rates of Different Types of New Energy Vehicles
The residual value advantage of battery electric vehicles widened.
In September, the residual value rate of battery electric vehicles rose to 45.7%, rebounding for the second consecutive month; plug-in hybrid models ended last month's sharp decline.
The gap between the two types widened this month, mainly due to the rebound in battery electric vehicles, with the slight decline in plug-in hybrids contributing little.
Battery electric models correspond to relatively clear urban commuting scenarios, and usage cost, actual range, and battery condition are important factors for consumers evaluating their use value.
Plug-in hybrid models must satisfy both daily pure electric travel and long-distance use; amid continuous iteration of new car products, older models' pure electric range, energy consumption, and usage experience are more easily compared side by side.
New Energy Brand Residual Value Rates
New energy brand residual value rates continued to decline in September, with no widespread halt in the decline at the brand level, but the pace of residual value adjustment has slowed.
Tesla continued to rank first, while Tank and GAC Trumpchi remained near the top, with the relative value position of leading brands still stable.
This month, some leading brands also edged down along with the overall market, and their residual value advantages have not yet translated into independent upward trends.
This shows that brand remains an important reference for judging the value of used new energy vehicles, but it cannot replace analysis of specific products.
Product generational changes, price stability, and used car circulation performance remain key to understanding residual value differences among brands.
Residual Value Rates of Major Battery Electric Models
Among major battery electric models in September 2026, Xiaomi YU7, Li Auto MEGA, and NIO ES8 performed excellently in one-year residual value rates.
Among models with excellent residual value rates, domestic brands account for a relatively large share.
Residual Value Rates of Major Plug-In Hybrid Models
Among plug-in hybrid models this month, the three models with higher one-year residual value rates were Wey Gaoshan, Tai 7, and AITO M8.