# Price war in the Chinese auto industry: margins and sales under pressure > In China, a wave of discounted launches and a persistent price war accompany a marked decline in sales and a compression of sector margins, which fell to 1.4% in September and 3.3% over nine months. BYD and Leapmotor are seeing their volumes decline, while older BYD models are undergoing price cuts. Globally, overproduction of Chinese electric vehicles is weighing on prices and automotive values. In the United States, Xpeng stock hit a 52-week low on Wall Street; in Germany, the press is questioning potential fallout in Europe. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 29 events involving BYD, SAIC Motor, BMW and 7 more, in 3 countries (Chine, Allemagne, États-Unis), followed from 31 October 2026 to 1 November 2026. 44 articles from 11 sources (sales and market, plants, jobs and earnings, launches and reviews); last updated on 1 November 2026 at 13:00. Figures reported: 520 vehicles. - Status: ongoing - Scope: International - Category: Sales and market, Plants, jobs and earnings, Launches and reviews - Countries: Chine, Allemagne, États-Unis - Brands: BYD, SAIC Motor, BMW, Chery, Geely, Leapmotor, Luxeed, Nissan, Tesla, Xpeng - First detected: 31 October 2026 at 03:35 - Updated: 1 November 2026 at 13:00 - Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/17-price-war-in-the-chinese-auto-industry-margins-and-sales-under-pressure ## National stories (4) - China — 20 country-specific events, 30 articles - France — 0 country-specific event, 4 articles - Germany — 0 country-specific event, 4 articles - United States — 0 country-specific event, 2 articles ## Reported figures - 14 000 euros - 15 000 euros - RMB 10.02 billion - 76,900 to 97,900 yuan ## What is established _“Confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets (outlets of the same group count as one). AI cross-check of the collected headlines and extracts._ **Confirmed by several sources** - Chinese auto industry margin: 1.4% in September 2026 and 3.3% over nine months, for 267.5 billion yuan in profit. (2 independent sources: [财新](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZEFVX3lxTE43UnpzSWlMSW1jUEd4NkNORjV3TUZpRUVVdGVVVVd5Y1JDLXdZbElhUHdJR1RjOHBuWnl3SkJfemdXeG8xTll6MGZGTGdOUlZjU2VlNnltT2h4N2N3SERtaGdEVHc?oc=5), [网通社](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWkFVX3lxTE9Nb1otbF96ME9xdkRkVmZOVHFGbUw3dW9Ld1V1T21kVXZDSzdreXR1aFozVmhiNXdZZG1PY181bnR1alFkeDJTNjNGMXd1NkEyS0M5VEZJMl9Bdw?oc=5)) - Overproduction of Chinese electric vehicles weighs on global automotive prices and values. (2 independent sources: [글로벌이코노믹](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxQWFNURllrQl9yTTJ4Y1lLQlYwdTZjMzY3WVZmdHdnNjN4OXB5X0tpSkZaNVQ1TWtJcDFtX255N0FZTkF0eUxEbWE2UEVxTkJYUUF4OXlRMF9XODc0LTNYYngyVWc5WFE2V0JwUE42TmlEa1NwcF9mX0VQLWktMWsyRlB4TTctV3hx?oc=5), [バロンズ・ダイジェスト](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiTkFVX3lxTE9QeHJWbHNtM05mVGlYWkpyZkJfU2dPQmt4Vm1SR0JkOC1rWXJWNWhHWHVFMjBQRFlUV2prNVBybW1Kdy1HZVF6N2NVckFwZw?oc=5)) - BYD presents the Qin Max (630 km, under 15,000 euros) and renews the Qin Plus DM-i (under 14,000 euros, over 2,000 km). (2 independent sources: [Auto Plus](https://www.autoplus.fr/environnement/630-kilometres-dautonomie-et-moins-de-15-000-euros-byd-frappe-tres-fort-face-a-la-tesla-model-3-1457648.html?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=unknown), [ad-hoc-news.de](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/boerse/news/unternehmensnachrichten/byd-refreshes-its-lineup-as-analysts-split-on-whether-growth-is-worth-the-price/70441110)) **Single source so far** - The CPCA indicates that new car sales in China this year are falling back to 2014 levels. (according to [手机新浪网](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicEFVX3lxTFB0REhMWTZ5dWNsOFBpejBCUEdXSTkyeXktQ1ZrNllTV01jQm1UcFI2cExtWUZrblFBY2xhYVV5V3ppM3hzQWZ4V1ZqOVhzSVpXVWNUQVBtYjZEczJrZ3VDNHB1OXNDTlR3YkxQZElOX3U?oc=5)) - Retail sales of the Chinese auto market have dropped by 5.2 million units. (according to [汽车之家](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiW0FVX3lxTE5EcEQ2d3lyODFnUkF1czNEQWZUTFh4MGRvY2xlOUdZU2otZlNBNE14VmFpaDAzSXJOQzFLQzFfb3lCVXJsZmJDMF9TMGwyX0lUdktVYk5pUlE1Q28?oc=5)) - Cumulative sales volumes of BYD and Leapmotor have sharply declined. (according to [汽车之家](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMia0FVX3lxTE81RlBBckVoZ0s5Tk5MYWM4a2Q2a2dSOXRRQVo0Z0RXakd0UVhJTUxUclZkU2VVWUFkeHE3WTZOOURKWlpUOVF1d2N2MEktakRkX3ViTnBKRGVhZWczVktfOU91MjcwOXlxRU5Z?oc=5)) - Chinese automakers are developing their overseas sales as domestic demand does not absorb supply. (according to [indianwitness.com](https://www.indianwitness.com/news/business/chinas-auto-industry-expands-overseas-as-too-many-cars)) - BYD's net profit in Q3 2026 reached 10.02 billion yuan, up 28.08%, below estimates, with discounts on older models. (according to [ad-hoc-news.de](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/boerse/news/unternehmensnachrichten/byd-refreshes-its-lineup-as-analysts-split-on-whether-growth-is-worth-the-price/70441110)) - Xpeng stock reached a 52-week low on Wall Street. (according to [Stocktwits](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxORzhrc3I4TWRsLUNtQXRSTk5QSlB6UldMZTNqRmE3MXJnSTBQT2JWb3pDOG5KRVluY3hrdHVWWW45WFFVMWFvWnE2akZtN0tkQ0dOQ3BqcWpqSnBQTjh2R3VMWGg1RHZjM3dXb0hYUlFTNC03eERSN2pfU1BOaUlPaTUyVHduQ25oNmI2WVBmTmt1eHNxbFNhTkRHOVJZeXdCdENsU2oxXzZMVUU1S3NtR3ZfS05Fdw?oc=5)) - BYD is also refreshing the Seagull with increased range and optional LiDAR. (according to [ad-hoc-news.de](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/boerse/news/unternehmensnachrichten/byd-refreshes-its-lineup-as-analysts-split-on-whether-growth-is-worth-the-price/70441110)) **Updates** - 1 November 2026 at 17:35: Addition: BYD refreshes the Seagull with increased range and optional LiDAR. - 1 November 2026 at 14:31: Addition: price cuts on older BYD models, weighing on revenue. - 1 November 2026 at 14:31: Addition: sharp decline in cumulative volumes of BYD and Leapmotor. - 1 November 2026 at 07:53: Xpeng stock: 52-week low on Wall Street. - 1 November 2026 at 07:53: BYD Q3 2026 net profit: 10.02 billion yuan, up 28.08%, below expectations. - 1 November 2026 at 04:14: BYD presents the electric Qin Max (630 km, under 15,000 euros) and updates the Qin Plus DM-i (under 14,000 euros) - 1 November 2026 at 04:14: Addition: Chinese auto industry margins: 1.4% in September and 3.3% over nine months **Checked on the web** _Automatic web search, official sources first; “contradicted” only when an official source is cited._ - Not confirmed at this stage: Chinese auto industry margin: 1.4% in September 2026 and 3.3% over nine months, for 267.5 billion yuan in profit. ([revolutionpermanente.fr](https://www.revolutionpermanente.fr/L-empire-des-voitures-electriques-chinoises-vacille-succes-mondial-effondrement-interne), [autoactu.com](https://www.autoactu.com/actualites/sous-pression-en-chine-mercedes-mise-sur-une-offensive-de-productivite), [boursorama.com](https://www.boursorama.com/bourse/actualites/mercedes-benz-abaisse-ses-previsions-pour-2026-apres-un-deuxieme-trimestre-difficile-en-chine-452fe8f15929999f2d03c173dbfe0659), [atradius.fr](https://atradius.fr/actualites-et-presse/reports/tendances-du-secteur-automobile-%E2%80%93-juillet-2026), [french.china.org.cn](http://french.china.org.cn/foreign/txt/2026-07/31/content_118627740.htm)) - Confirmed: Overproduction of Chinese electric vehicles weighs on global automotive prices and values. ([autoactu.com](https://www.autoactu.com/actualites/sous-pression-en-chine-mercedes-mise-sur-une-offensive-de-productivite), [boursorama.com](https://www.boursorama.com/bourse/actualites/mercedes-benz-abaisse-ses-previsions-pour-2026-apres-un-deuxieme-trimestre-difficile-en-chine-452fe8f15929999f2d03c173dbfe0659), [revolutionpermanente.fr](https://www.revolutionpermanente.fr/L-empire-des-voitures-electriques-chinoises-vacille-succes-mondial-effondrement-interne), [bfmtv.com](https://www.bfmtv.com/auto/avec-11-3-millions-de-vehicules-vendus-en-2025-toyota-conforte-sa-place-de-numero-un-mondial-devant-volkswagen_AV-202601290324.html), [atradius.fr](https://atradius.fr/actualites-et-presse/reports/tendances-du-secteur-automobile-%E2%80%93-juillet-2026)) - Not confirmed at this stage: The CPCA indicates that new car sales in China this year are falling back to 2014 levels. ([journalauto.com](https://journalauto.com/constructeurs/benefice-net-divise-par-deux-pour-mercedes-benz-en-2025/), [luxurytribune.com](https://www.luxurytribune.com/mercedes-benz-en-difficulte-voit-son-chiffre-daffaires-reculer-de-45-en-2024), [guideautoweb.com](https://www.guideautoweb.com/articles/83260/l-industrie-presse-le-congres-americain-de-bannir-les-vehicules-chinois-pour-de-bon), [automobile-propre.com](https://www.automobile-propre.com/articles/finalement-la-model-2-serait-de-nouveau-a-lordre-du-jour-chez-tesla/), [autojournal.fr](https://www.autojournal.fr/actu/wuling-minivan-a-moins-de-10-000-euros-bonne-affaire-ou-non-366654.html)) ## Background _Context and reference points, separate from the story’s news; every item links to its source._ **Key terms** - **Price war**: A form of competition where companies in the same sector pursue an aggressive pricing policy, characterized by repeated price cuts below those of their competitors, each competitor seeking to match or lower the other's prices. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerre_des_prix)) - **Unsold goods**: A good bought, processed or intended for sale that, at a given time, has found no buyer and remains in stock; stock represents all goods involved in the company's operating cycle or that can be sold as is. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock)) - **Automotive supplier**: Industrial company that designs, manufactures and supplies components, systems or modules intended for automakers (original equipment) and/or the aftermarket. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89quipementier_automobile)) ## Sources by country and language - China: 30 articles, 12 outlets - Germany: 4 articles, 2 outlets - France: 4 articles, 1 outlets - United States: 2 articles, 2 outlets - United Kingdom: 1 articles, 1 outlets - Japan: 1 articles, 1 outlets - South Korea: 1 articles, 1 outlets - unknown: 1 articles, 1 outlets **Languages**: Chinese (30), English (7), French (4), German (1), Japanese (1), Korean (1) ## Timeline (29 events) ### 31 October 2026 — [La part des ventes de voitures thermiques en Chine passe sous les 30 %](https://mecapress.com/events/696-la-part-des-ventes-de-voitures-thermiques-en-chine-passe-sous-les-30.md) La part des véhicules à moteur thermique dans les ventes automobiles en Chine est tombée sous les 30 %. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [La CPCA indique que les ventes de voitures neuves en Chine reculent au niveau de 2014](https://mecapress.com/events/676-la-cpca-indique-que-les-ventes-de-voitures-neuves-en-chine-reculent-au-niveau.md) Selon la CPCA, le volume de ventes de voitures neuves en Chine cette année revient à son niveau de 2014, signe d'une contraction marquée du marché. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [China: dealer stock alert index at 62.2% in October 2026](https://mecapress.com/events/659-china-dealer-stock-alert-index-at-62-2-in-october-2026.md) A Chinese industry association publishes a vehicle stock alert index for dealers of 62.2% for October 2026, signaling high stock levels. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [China: six mid-size SUVs exceed 10,000 sales, BMW X5 sole premium](https://mecapress.com/events/634-china-six-mid-size-suvs-exceed-10-000-sales-bmw-x5-sole-premium.md) The ranking of mid-size SUV sales in China is shaken up: six models exceed 10,000 units and the BMW X5 remains the sole representative of traditional premium brands. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Les ventes mensuelles de la BYD Seagull reculent en Chine](https://mecapress.com/events/626-les-ventes-mensuelles-de-la-byd-seagull-reculent-en-chine.md) La BYD Seagull, citadine électrique la plus vendue en Chine, voit ses ventes mensuelles chuter et perdre son statut de référence du segment. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Chine : palmarès des berlines les plus vendues au premier semestre, le thermique domine](https://mecapress.com/events/864-chine-palmares-des-berlines-les-plus-vendues-au-premier-semestre-le-thermique.md) Le classement des berlines les plus vendues en Chine au premier semestre place les modèles thermiques en tête. BYD n'apparaît pas dans le top 10 de cette catégorie. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Shangjie Z7 reaches 6,296 monthly sales in China](https://mecapress.com/events/207-shangjie-z7-reaches-6-296-monthly-sales-in-china.md) The Shangjie Z7 electric sedan, born of cooperation between SAIC and Huawei, reached 6,296 registrations in one month and enters the top three models in the HarmonyOS ecosystem. 1 sources, 3 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [China: top 10 sedan sales in September](https://mecapress.com/events/202-china-top-10-sedan-sales-in-september.md) The ranking of the ten best-selling sedans in China in September includes only one combustion model, driven by promotions, against new entrants. Electric brands are gaining ground in this segment. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Sedan sales plunge in China, combustion declines](https://mecapress.com/events/174-sedan-sales-plunge-in-china-combustion-declines.md) September sedan sales rankings in China show electrified models dominating, with only one combustion car in the top 10 and the Nissan Sylphy falling to 26th place. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Luxeed sales remain low and brand must react](https://mecapress.com/events/121-luxeed-sales-remain-low-and-brand-must-react.md) The Luxeed brand, backed by Chery, continues to post disappointing sales volumes in the Chinese market and is seeking a commercial turnaround. 1 sources, 2 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Geely défie BYD pour la couronne des ventes de véhicules à énergies nouvelles en Chine](https://mecapress.com/events/939-geely-defie-byd-pour-la-couronne-des-ventes-de-vehicules-a-energies-nouvelles.md) Geely mise sur une double stratégie produit pour contester la position de BYD sur le marché chinois des véhicules à énergies nouvelles, où la concurrence sur les prix reste vive. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [The CPCA releases September passenger car sales in China](https://mecapress.com/events/516-the-cpca-releases-september-passenger-car-sales-in-china.md) The Chinese manufacturers' federation (CPCA) releases its passenger car sales statistics for September. 1 sources, 2 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [BYD unveils Qin Max, electric sedan with 630 km range under 15,000 euros](https://mecapress.com/events/29-byd-unveils-qin-max-electric-sedan-with-630-km-range-under-15-000-euros.md) BYD is gradually presenting the features of its new Qin Max, an electric sedan with 630 km of range priced under 15,000 euros, intended to compete with the Tesla Model 3. 2 sources, 2 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Chinese auto market plagued by unsold inventory, favorable to good deals](https://mecapress.com/events/20-chinese-auto-market-plagued-by-unsold-inventory-favorable-to-good-deals.md) Faced with unsold inventory stocks, Chinese consumers could benefit from discounts on new vehicles. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [SAIC launches new model with price cut of 60,000 yuan](https://mecapress.com/events/476-saic-launches-new-model-with-price-cut-of-60-000-yuan.md) SAIC is launching a new vehicle on the market with a price reduction of up to 60,000 yuan, according to Chinese automotive press. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [BYD updates the Qin Plus DM-i, a plug-in hybrid sedan under 14,000 euros](https://mecapress.com/events/103-byd-updates-the-qin-plus-dm-i-a-plug-in-hybrid-sedan-under-14-000-euros.md) BYD renews its Qin Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan, priced under 14,000 euros. The automaker highlights a total range of over 2,000 km. 3 sources, 3 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [A major Ningbo supplier penalized by the price war](https://mecapress.com/events/167-a-major-ningbo-supplier-penalized-by-the-price-war.md) A Ningbo automotive supplier, weighing around 60 billion yuan, is hit head-on by the Chinese market's price war. 1 sources, 1 articles · Ningbo — Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [China's best-selling car gains equipment and cuts price](https://mecapress.com/events/453-china-s-best-selling-car-gains-equipment-and-cuts-price.md) The best-selling model on the Chinese market benefits from an update with more equipment and a revised lower price. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Xpeng stock hits 52-week low on Wall Street](https://mecapress.com/events/824-xpeng-stock-hits-52-week-low-on-wall-street.md) Chinese automaker Xpeng's shares hit a 52-week low during the Wall Street session. 1 sources, 1 articles · États-Unis, Chine ### 31 October 2026 — [Chinese electric vehicle overproduction disrupts the global automotive industry](https://mecapress.com/events/354-chinese-electric-vehicle-overproduction-disrupts-the-global-automotive-industry.md) The excess production capacity of China's electric vehicle industry weighs on prices and disrupts automakers worldwide. 2 sources, 2 articles · Worldwide (Chine) ### 1 November 2026 — [Chinese auto market declines sharply, BYD and Leapmotor sales collapse](https://mecapress.com/events/484-chinese-auto-market-declines-sharply-byd-and-leapmotor-sales-collapse.md) Retail sales in China are recording a marked decline, with around 5.2 million units lost. Cumulative volumes for BYD and Leapmotor are declining sharply. 1 sources, 4 articles · Chine ### 1 November 2026 — [Chinese auto sector margin falls to 1.4% in September](https://mecapress.com/events/588-chinese-auto-sector-margin-falls-to-1-4-in-september.md) The profit margin of China's auto industry reached only 1.4% in September, as automakers face pressure on their third-quarter results. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 1 November 2026 — [Chine : le profit du secteur automobile recule sur neuf mois, marge à 3,3 %](https://mecapress.com/events/652-chine-le-profit-du-secteur-automobile-recule-sur-neuf-mois-marge-a-3-3.md) Sur les neuf premiers mois de 2026, les profits de l'industrie automobile chinoise tombent à 267,5 milliards de yuans, avec une marge de 3,3 %. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 1 November 2026 — [Les véhicules électriques chinois pèsent sur les valeurs automobiles mondiales](https://mecapress.com/events/781-les-vehicules-electriques-chinois-pesent-sur-les-valeurs-automobiles-mondiales.md) L'afflux de véhicules électriques chinois sur les marchés mondiaux met sous pression les actions des constructeurs automobiles. 1 sources, 1 articles · Worldwide ### 1 November 2026 — [BYD : la baisse des prix des anciens modèles pèse sur les marges](https://mecapress.com/events/843-byd-la-baisse-des-prix-des-anciens-modeles-pese-sur-les-marges.md) Les modèles plus anciens de BYD voient leurs prix baisser, ce qui érode la rentabilité du constructeur. Cette politique de prix agressive s'inscrit dans la guerre des prix qui touche le marché chinois. 2 sources, 2 articles · Chine ### 1 November 2026 — [Chine : la pression sur les prix pèse sur les profits du secteur automobile](https://mecapress.com/events/974-chine-la-pression-sur-les-prix-pese-sur-les-profits-du-secteur-automobile.md) La demande intérieure chinoise reste faible et la guerre des prix continue de comprimer les marges des constructeurs, qui cherchent de nouveaux relais de profit. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 1 November 2026 — [Sous la pression de la demande intérieure, le secteur automobile chinois cherche des marges](https://mecapress.com/events/1023-sous-la-pression-de-la-demande-interieure-le-secteur-automobile-chinois-cherche.md) La faiblesse de la demande intérieure pousse les constructeurs chinois à combiner marché domestique et exportations pour préserver leurs marges. 1 sources, 4 articles · Chine ### 1 November 2026 — [La crise de l'automobile chinoise pourrait retomber sur l'Europe](https://mecapress.com/events/1205-la-crise-de-l-automobile-chinoise-pourrait-retomber-sur-l-europe.md) Un article allemand analyse les difficultés du secteur automobile chinois et s'interroge sur le coût que pourrait en supporter l'Europe, entre surcapacités et guerre des prix. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine, Allemagne ### 1 November 2026 — [Le boom de la voiture électrique chinoise a coulé l'un de ses propres constructeurs](https://mecapress.com/events/1329-le-boom-de-la-voiture-electrique-chinoise-a-coule-l-un-de-ses-propres.md) Analyse de la façon dont l'explosion du marché électrique chinois et la guerre des prix ont fragilisé puis emporté un constructeur local. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine --- Cite as: Mecapress, “Price war in the Chinese auto industry: margins and sales under pressure”, https://mecapress.com/stories/17-price-war-in-the-chinese-auto-industry-margins-and-sales-under-pressure Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology