GM China Achieves Record NEV Sales as Electrification Accelerates

General Motors reports record new energy vehicle sales in China in 2025, with NEVs exceeding half of total deliveries. Learn what drove the growth.

General Motors closed 2025 in China with record sales of new energy vehicles, making electrification the central pillar of its business in the country. Nearly one million NEVs were sold during the year, and for the first time they accounted for more than half of GM’s total vehicle sales in China.

Overall, GM and its joint ventures delivered close to 1.9 million vehicles in the market, representing a 2.3% year-on-year increase. Against this backdrop, NEV sales grew much faster, rising by 22.6% compared with 2024. As the broader Chinese auto market showed signs of slowing, electric and plug-in hybrid models clearly emerged as GM’s main growth engine.

The company attributes the result to a refreshed product portfolio and disciplined management of production and inventories. GM continues to expand across multiple segments, from compact urban electric cars to premium models, while placing increasing emphasis on locally developed technologies.

A key highlight of the year was the market launch of the first two models under Buick’s premium ELECTRA sub-brand, the L7 and ENCASA. Built on the locally developed Xiao Yao architecture and equipped with an advanced driver assistance system co-developed with Chinese tech firm Momenta, both models debuted in the fourth quarter and were well received by customers.

GM’s long-standing strength in the MPV segment also supported performance. Buick maintained its leadership in China’s premium MPV market, expanding its lineup from internal combustion engines to NEV offerings. In the mass market, the Wuling Hong Guang MINIEV once again proved to be GM’s best-selling NEV nameplate in China, surpassing 435,000 units in annual sales.

Other brands contributed to the momentum as well. Cadillac recorded strong double-digit growth in deliveries of its electric luxury SUVs, while Baojun and Wuling benefited from new and updated models. These results came as NEV penetration across China continued to rise throughout 2025, with electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids approaching half of all new car sales.

Looking ahead, GM has outlined its next step: starting in 2026, every new product launched in China will include a new energy vehicle option. In a market increasingly dominated by local manufacturers and intense competition, this strategy appears less a choice than a necessity for maintaining relevance and scale.