April 2025 China Automotive Retention Rate Report: Xiaomi Makes Its Debut, GL8 Loses First Place

On May 7, 2025, the China Automobile Circulation Association and Jingzhengu jointly released the April 2025 China Automotive Retention Rate Research Report. This study aims to reflect the brand’s product strength, recognition, and reputation, providing essential data for future repurchase, trade-in, leasing, financing, and new car pricing, thereby reducing business risks and enhancing operational efficiency.

The retention rate data is calculated based on the sales price of second-hand vehicles (B2C) in good condition. Here are the performance rankings:

Policy Directions

Local policy support for the replacement of out-of-town vehicles is prevalent in Shanghai, where consumers have genuine transportation needs and considerable purchasing power. This subsidy policy is an implementation of the national “two new” policies. The Implementation Rules first benefit local dealers’ new car sales and then facilitate the external trade of second-hand cars. The timing of the document’s release coincides with the Shanghai Auto Show, setting a clear growth expectation for the 2025 automotive market.

Key Events

The improvement of electric vehicle safety standards is a top priority from the user’s perspective. “No fires, no explosions, and no harmful smoke to occupants” represents the essential safety requirements of consumers. From an industry standpoint, there is still significant time before the new national standards are officially implemented, allowing companies ample time for research and development. Meanwhile, stricter standards will push the industry towards further competition and consolidation.

Online Vehicle Supply Changes

The supply of second-hand vehicles has significantly rebounded, indicating a robust demand in the market. The peak trading season for the first half of 2025 has already begun, with increased activity in second-hand vehicle transactions compared to the same period last year.

Retention Rates by Segment

After the price adjustments at the beginning of the year, various brands have found new market positioning, restoring a more “ordered” competitive landscape. In addition to model updates and new pricing, some vehicles have been discontinued, leading to a rational recovery in the highly competitive mid-size sedan and SUV segments, where differentiated products are gradually emerging, stabilizing prices.

In the second-hand market, prices for less popular models are rapidly depreciating. The retention rate for luxury brands, particularly Lexus, has increased due to the impact of tariffs on new imported vehicles, which may face supply shortages or price hikes, further driving up second-hand prices. Although the German BBA brands include some imported models, the mainstream in the second-hand market remains domestic models, with prices stabilizing. The American brand Cadillac has not faced price increases due to tariffs, maintaining stability in local supply and demand.

Mainstream Overseas Brands

The retention rates for joint venture brands have shown a significant recovery as they rapidly enhance their product strengths in terms of appearance, energy consumption, and intelligence through continuous new product development. These changes are being reflected in pricing, entering a positive cycle of product and price enhancement. Volkswagen and the Japanese brands represented by “Two Tian” continue to lead the Chinese market. Buick and Chevrolet’s sedan and SUV offerings are losing competitiveness, resulting in declining sales, still struggling with ongoing price reductions.

Retention Rates for Domestic Brands

In the domestic segment, the retention rate performance is polarized, with leading brands seeing increases. GAC Trumpchi remains at the top. In a competitive market, continual efforts in brand strength and product quality are essential for maintaining a leading retention rate.

Popular Retention Rate Rankings

Joint Venture Mid-Size SUVs

Among joint venture mid-size SUVs, the VW Teramont has demonstrated superior retention rates compared to others like the Explorer and the Tiguan X, leading the segment with its spaciousness, precise handling, and high configuration.

20-25 Million Joint Venture Mid-Size SUVs

In the 20-25 million joint venture mid-size SUV category, both traditional joint venture brands and domestic brands are continuously enhancing their product strengths and market competitiveness to meet increasing consumer demands. The Volkswagen Tiguan L, with its long-standing reputation for quality, ranks first in retention rates.

Domestic Plug-in Hybrid MPVs

With the gradual increase in market penetration of new energy vehicles, plug-in hybrid MPVs are becoming the preferred choice for consumers due to their spaciousness and low fuel consumption. GAC Trumpchi, leveraging years of MPV manufacturing experience and outstanding hybrid technology, sees its Trumpchi E8 and E9 ranked first and second, respectively, in the domestic plug-in hybrid MPV retention rates.

Under 100,000 Domestic Compact Cars

The MG5 holds a strong reputation in the market, offering high performance, comfort, and reliability at a price point below 100,000. It ranks first among its peers in retention rates, providing an excellent driving experience for young consumers.

Joint Venture Pure Electric Mid-Size SUVs

As Buick’s first model based on the Ultium platform, the Buick E5 has shown excellent performance in safety, space, comfort, and energy consumption since its delivery, ranking first in retention rates. The Volkswagen ID.6.X ranks second, with the IQ E-Golf following in third.

Mainstream Joint Venture MPVs

Introduced in 2021, the Toyota Sienna excels in retention rates, thanks to its flexible space, comfortable ride experience, and excellent fuel efficiency, ranking first in its class, followed by the Buick GL8 and Honda Odyssey in second and third place, respectively.

Changes in the New Energy Vehicle Market

The initial goal of promoting new energy vehicles extends beyond the automotive industry, encompassing national energy transition and innovations in road transportation. The documents propose an annual increase in the proportion of new energy vehicles among newly added cars, along with enhancing the green electricity consumption ratio of new energy vehicles, achieving both environmental protection and energy security. Additionally, the integration of transportation and energy infrastructure offers significant potential for development.

Retention Rates by New Energy Vehicle Type

Prices for electric vehicles remain stable, while competition among hybrid vehicles continues to intensify. Many second-hand vehicles suffer from outdated technology and high energy consumption, making them less appealing to consumers. During the rise of the exhibition economy, competitively priced new cars attract more buyers. Price reductions on mainstream models like the BYD Han have influenced the average retention rate in the plug-in hybrid segment.

Major Pure Electric Vehicle Retention Rates

In April 2025, the top three retention rates for pure electric vehicles after one year include the Xiaomi SU7, the AITO M9, and the Li Auto MEGA, with domestic brands comprising a significant portion of the top 15 list.

Major Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle Retention Rates

This month, the top-ranked plug-in hybrid model after one year is the Tank 700 New Energy, showcasing strong performance from domestic brands, which dominate the rankings; similarly, domestic brands continue to excel after three years, holding nearly half of the positions on the list.

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Jingzhengu, established in 2014, is a technology company jointly invested by Yiche, COX Automotive, and the China Automobile Circulation Association, providing automotive data services and second-hand vehicle evaluation services. Jingzhengu aims to promote the digital development of the second-hand car industry and is committed to building a trustworthy automotive service brand.