As October begins, major automakers have successively released their September sales data. Based on published figures from nine major traditional automakers (excluding GAC Group which has not disclosed data), traditional car companies achieved impressive performance driven by continuous efforts in new energy vehicles and overseas markets. Except for BYD Company Limited, all eight automakers recorded sales growth in September.

September witnessed significant changes in traditional automaker rankings, with SAIC Motor Corporation Limited reclaiming the championship position, BYD Company Limited ranking second, and Chery overtaking Geely to secure fourth place. Additionally, six automakers - SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, BYD Company Limited, FAW Group, Chery Group, Geely Auto, and Changan Automobile - achieved cumulative sales exceeding 2 million units.

**Championship Changes as SAIC Returns to Top**

After losing the top position in June 2024, SAIC Motor Corporation Limited has reclaimed the "championship" title. In September, SAIC Motor Corporation Limited achieved wholesale sales of 440,000 units, representing a 40.4% year-over-year increase and 21% month-over-month growth, ranking first in the industry.

Since the beginning of this year, SAIC Motor Corporation Limited has achieved nine consecutive months of year-over-year sales growth, maintaining stable double-digit percentage increases. SAIC-GM-Wuling contributed 36% of total sales with 158,000 units sold in September, up 37.81% year-over-year. Meanwhile, SAIC-GM, SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle, SAIC Maxus, and IM Motors all achieved double-digit year-over-year growth.

September saw SAIC Motor Corporation Limited launch multiple new models including the new-generation IM LS6, all-new MG4, Roewe M7 DMH, Transcend H5, and Buick Zhijing L7, driving continued sales breakthroughs and further boosting the group's performance.

Unlike SAIC Motor Corporation Limited's "nine consecutive increases," BYD Company Limited has experienced slowing growth since the second half of this year, with 0.6% growth in July, 0.1% in August, and a 5.5% year-over-year decline in September. Official data shows BYD Company Limited sold 396,000 units in September, up 6.1% month-over-month.

The sales decline was primarily influenced by plug-in hybrid vehicle drops. In September, BYD Company Limited's plug-in hybrid sales reached 188,000 units, down 25.7% from 253,000 units in the same period last year, while pure electric vehicles, buses, and other vehicle types all achieved year-over-year growth.

Analysts remain optimistic about BYD Company Limited's technology-driven product and brand enhancement, accelerated overseas expansion, and steady premium positioning progress. Recent adjustments to high-end brands include management changes at Denza, aimed at strengthening systematic brand building and breaking through premium market barriers.

From cumulative sales perspective, the competition between SAIC Motor Corporation Limited and BYD Company Limited remains tight. Official data shows SAIC Motor Corporation Limited achieved cumulative wholesale sales of 3.193 million units in the first nine months, up 20.5% year-over-year. BYD Company Limited recorded cumulative sales of 3.26 million units over the same period, up 18.6% year-over-year.

However, SAIC Motor Corporation Limited also disclosed terminal deliveries of 3.378 million units in the first nine months, exceeding its wholesale sales figures and leading the industry, surpassing BYD Company Limited.

**FAW's Steady Growth, Chery Overtakes Geely**

In September, FAW Group sold 302,000 vehicles, up 6.3% year-over-year. Self-owned brand sales reached 88,000 units, with self-owned new energy vehicle sales at 38,900 units, maintaining high-speed growth. Joint venture brand sales totaled 213,900 units, continuing to consolidate market leadership.

For the first nine months, FAW Group achieved cumulative sales of 2.383 million units, up 5.6% year-over-year, with continued improvement in operational quality. Hongqi brand accumulated 340,000 units sold, up 8.8%, maintaining its leading position among luxury domestic brands.

Following in fourth place is no longer Geely Auto, but Chery Group. In September, Chery Group sold 280,000 vehicles, up 14.7% year-over-year. New energy vehicle sales reached 92,000 units, up 55.4%, while vehicle exports totaled 138,000 units, up 26.2%, marking five consecutive months of exports exceeding 100,000 units and maintaining China's top automotive export position.

In comparison, Geely Auto recorded September sales of 273,000 units, up 35% year-over-year and 9% month-over-month. Despite the ranking drop, Geely Auto's overall performance and growth rate remained impressive, with new energy vehicles reaching a historical high of 165,000 units, up 81% year-over-year and 12% month-over-month, representing 60% of total sales.

For cumulative sales, Geely Auto still leads Chery Group with 2.17 million units versus 2.008 million units, ranking fourth. From January to September, Geely Auto achieved cumulative sales of 2.17 million units, up 46% year-over-year, already reaching 2024's full-year sales scale.

**Strong Growth Momentum for Changan and Great Wall**

Changan Automobile, Dongfeng Motor, BAIC Group, and Great Wall Motor maintained their positions, though Changan Automobile and Great Wall Motor demonstrated stronger growth momentum.

September saw Changan Automobile achieve sales of 266,000 units, up 25% year-over-year, ranking among the industry's top three growth rates. New energy vehicles sold 103,000 units, up 87%, while overseas sales reached 60,000 units, up 23%. Nine-month cumulative sales totaled 2.066 million units, up 8.5%.

Great Wall Motor sold 134,000 new vehicles in September, up 23.3% year-over-year, achieving the best September performance in company history. For the first nine months, Great Wall Motor accumulated 923,000 units sold, up 8.2%, with both new energy and overseas sales reaching historical highs.

Looking ahead, Great Wall Motor's strategy for the next five years remains focused on long-term development, concentrating on intelligent new energy vehicles, strengthening off-road advantages, and accelerating ecosystem overseas expansion to create value for China's automotive industry sustainable development.