China April 2014 (Updated)

Zotye Zhidou E20, a surprising player in China's emergent EV Scene

The Earth has Moved Edition

Chinese EV Sales mounted to 17.642 units in 2013, which made it the fourth lartgest market globally and represented a 38% increase over 2012, when sales reached 12.791 units, but because the Chinese Auto Market is gigantic, it translated in just 0,08% Share.

Sales this year are now at 7.591 in just four months, with new entries coming soon and limitations to ICE circulation in major Chinese cities, sales will only improve, will we see them hit 30.000 by year end? 

For now EV Share is at 0,12%, an encouraging improvement allowing China to have a higher EV Share this year than Italy (0,08%) or Spain (0,07%), for example.

Based on certified data and past performances, the presumed Top 5 had plenty of changes regarding last year ranking, with a new leader, the BYD Qin, selling 3.294 units and collecting 43% on the market, which is also on its way to obliterate Chery's QQ3 EV yearly record (5.305 units in 2012). One could say that the Qin is shaking things up, eh?

Despite increasing sales significantly, the Chery QQ3 EV dropped to #2, selling roughly 2.600 units, followed by the BYD e6, up one position and doubling sales (881 registrations) regarding a year ago (Is it the Qin-factor spreading to the older e6?), while the JAC J3 EV dropped three positions to #5, with some 200 sales, no doubt affected by the younger competition.

Finally, a surprise at #4: The Zotye E20, with 396 units. Like the Qin, it's a recent addition to the market and it comes with the purpose of being the king of the small (Think Smart ED) electric cars, a segment experts say it will balloon in China in the following years.

By brands, two manufacturers dominate the market: BYD leads the ranking, with 55% share, followed by Chery with 36%. In a distant Third we get Zotye with 5%.

Pl	Model	YTD '14
1	BYD Qin	3.294
2	Chery QQ3 EV (e)	2.616
3	BYD e6	881
4	Zotye Zhidou E20	396
5	JAC J3 EV e)	213

(e) - Estimate

Source: Best Selling Cars Blog; China Auto Web