On May 11, the Guangzhou Artificial Intelligence Industry Development Office issued the "Guangzhou Artificial Intelligence Industry 2026 Work Points". The document emphasizes advancing the development and promotion of intelligent hardware products, including intelligent connected vehicles, intelligent unmanned systems, whole-house intelligent terminals, intelligent wearable devices, industrial intelligent terminals, and brain-computer interfaces. It also calls for promoting the application of large models on the vehicle side and supporting the development of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence Internet of Things) systems featuring collaboration among home appliances, central control, and sensors. Caixin Automotive commented that this move will drive smart hardware from R&D innovation to large-scale promotion.
Market Data: Automobile Production, Sales and Passenger Car Retail Performance in April
China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) Data
On May 11, CAAM released data showing that in April, China's automobile production and sales reached 2.575 million and 2.526 units respectively, down 11.7% and 12.9% month-on-month, and 1.7% and 2.5% year-on-year. From January to April, cumulative production and sales stood at 9.614 million and 9.574 million units, down 5.5% and 4.8% year-on-year.
In terms of passenger cars, domestic sales in April were 1.334 million units, a decrease of 19.8% month-on-month and 25.5% year-on-year. Among them, sales of traditional fuel passenger cars were 515,000 units, 321,000 units less than the same period last year, down 40.6% month-on-month and 38.4% year-on-year. From January to April, cumulative domestic sales of passenger cars reached 5.347 million units, down 24% year-on-year, with traditional fuel passenger cars accounting for 2.706 million units (a year-on-year decrease of 886,000 units, or 24.7%). CAAM noted that the cumulative decline in automobile production and sales narrowed further in April.
Passenger Car Association (PCA) Data
On the same day, PCA data showed that retail sales of passenger cars in the national market in April were 1.384 million units, down 21.5% year-on-year and 16.0% month-on-month. Cumulative retail sales from January to April totaled 5.604 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 18.5%. April's passenger car market presented the complex characteristics of "overall pressure and structural differentiation".
Specifically, retail sales of new energy passenger cars in April were 849,000 units, down 6.8% year-on-year and 0.3% month-on-month; cumulative retail sales from January to April were 2.758 million units, down 17.2% year-on-year. Retail sales of conventional gasoline-powered passenger cars in April were 530,000 units, plummeting 37% year-on-year and 33% month-on-month. Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of PCA, predicted that automobile production and sales will continue the slow recovery trend in May, with overall month-on-month recovery momentum improving from the terminal rhythm and consumer perspective.
Power Battery: Domestic Loading Volume Rebounds in April
On May 11, the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance released data indicating that domestic power battery loading volume in April reached 62.4GWh, an increase of 10.4% month-on-month and 15.2% year-on-year. From January to April, cumulative loading volume reached 187.2GWh, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%. Caixin Automotive pointed out that the power battery industry has emerged from the early-year trough, with a comprehensive rebound in demand.
Enterprise Dynamics
Xiaomi Automobile: Collision Risk Detection Patent Published
According to Tianyancha's intellectual property information, Xiaomi Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. recently published a patent titled "A Collision Risk Detection Method, Device, Equipment, Medium and Program Product". The patent, belonging to the intelligent driving field, involves acquiring obstacle information, the vehicle's planned route and target area; conducting obstacle intrusion detection in the overlapping area of obstacles and the planned route based on the target area; and activating the vehicle's obstacle avoidance strategy if an intrusion is confirmed. This method can avoid false activation of the obstacle avoidance function caused by incorrect obstacle detection, reduce driver distraction, and improve driving experience. Caixin Automotive stated that this is Xiaomi's key technology layout in the field of active safety.
Honda China: April Terminal Sales Plunge 48.3% Year-on-Year
Honda China released data on May 11 showing that its terminal automobile sales in China in April 2026 were 22,595 units, a year-on-year decrease of 48.3%. From January to April 2026, cumulative terminal sales in China reached 145,065 units, down 28% year-on-year. Caixin Automotive commented that the joint venture sector is still under pressure, with increasingly serious differentiation.
Volvo Cars: New Appointment for Greater China Leadership
On May 11, Volvo Cars announced the latest appointment of its Greater China management team. Yuan Xiaolin, President and CEO of Volvo Cars Greater China, decided to step down from the company's daily operation and management. Duan Jianjun was appointed as the new President and CEO of Volvo Cars Greater China, joining the group's global core management and global sales management, and reporting to the Chinese Board of Directors. Volvo emphasized that the Chinese market will continue to play a key role in its future transformation and growth.
Hon Hai and Mitsubishi Fuso Bus: EU Approves Joint Venture
On May 11, the European Commission announced that it has approved the establishment of a joint venture between Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) and Mitsubishi Fuso Bus in accordance with EU merger regulations. Mitsubishi Fuso Bus is controlled by Germany's Daimler Trucks, and the transaction mainly involves the production and supply of heavy and light passenger vehicles. Caixin Automotive noted that this marks the substantive landing of strategic cooperation between the two parties in the passenger vehicle field.
Toyota: To Build New Car Plant in India with Annual Capacity of 100,000 Units
On May 11, Toyota announced that it will build a new car plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 units in Maharashtra, India, which is expected to be put into operation in the first half of 2029. Located in the local Bidkin Industrial Zone, the plant will be responsible for producing a new SUV model and is expected to create about 2,800 local jobs.
