CHINA. For the first time in history, none of the models are purely internal combustion engines in the TOP10. Mostly BEVs, with some PHEVs as well.

For the first time in China’s car sales history, in May 2026, no model powered solely by an internal combustion engine (ICE) appeared in the TOP10 list of most popular cars. The TOP3 and most of the TOP10 were all fully electric vehicles (BEV), with a few hybrid vehicles (PHEV, EREV) completing the list. There were seven models with only internal combustion engines in January, five in March, one left in April (Geely Binyue), and none at all in May.

Chineses are gradually moving away from internal combustion engines

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Chineses are gradually moving away from internal combustion engines

Geely EX2, at the bottom of the TOP10 and the only ICE vehicle in the ranking

The TOP10 list of cars in May looked as follows. Fully electric vehicles are marked in bold, while vehicles with different types of powertrains are partially bolded (source):

Geely Xingyuan or Geely X2 – 38,751 units,

Tesla Model Y – 28,911 units,

Xiaomi SU7 – 24,023 units,

Leapmotor A10 – 22,306 units,

Li Auto Li i6 – 20,878 units,

Tesla Model 3 – 18,370 units,

Wuling Hongguang Mini EV [in Europe this would be considered a microcar; not a full-sized car – red.] – 18,308 units,

Huawei Aito M6 – 18,148 units,

BYD Yuan Up – 17,043 units,

FangChengBao Bao 7 PHEV – 16,247 units.

The top seven entries in the list are all electric vehicles, including at least two enduring hits: the Tesla Model Y and Xiaomi SU7. Since its launch, the budget-friendly Leapmotor A10 has also sold well. While the brilliance of the Tesla Model 3 has dimmed slightly, it still attracts a considerable number of buyers. The Leapmotor A10 will arrive in Europe as the Leapmotor B03X, and its prices look highly promising, as we are likely to pay less for this B-segment crossover than for a Toyota Yaris Hybrid.

The Leapmotor A10 will enter Europe as the Leapmotor B03X. It might also appear under the Opel or Fiat brands... (c) Leapmotor

Geely EX2, in the bottom part of the TOP10, and the only internal combustion engine vehicle in the ranking

The real hit is the Geely Xingyuan, or Geely Wish-to-a-Falling-Star, which is known as the Geely EX2 in other markets. It features a sleek hatchback design (4.135 meters long, 2.65 meters wheelbase) with LFP batteries offering 30.1 or 40.2 kWh capacity, a multi-link suspension at the rear, 410 CLTC miles of range, around 320 WLTP miles of range, and an engine of 85 kW/116 hp [for the larger battery]. All of this comes at a price ranging from 65,800 yuan (smaller battery) to 94,800 yuan (larger battery, maximum specification).

Cars with optional internal combustion engines (PHEV/EREV) occupy the bottom end of the TOP10 rankings. The first purely internal combustion engine model, Geely Boyue, which was a bestseller until recently, ranked only 17th in May, just ahead of four more internal combustion engine vehicles. China is currently the world’s largest automotive market, so companies at the top of sales charts can expect a steady stream of cash inflows. Meanwhile, brands missing from the TOP10 or even the TOP20 should work urgently to change their product strategies.

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