Honda announced the number of new vehicles sold in China in February 2020 were 11,288 units, down 85.1 percent compared to same period last year. It was the largest decline in a single month.
Mazda sold 7430 vehicles, down 2430 units, and Mitsubishi sales are down 90.7 percent, to 691 units. Demand for new cars in China has dropped sharply due to the spread of the coronavirus, and sales of Japanese manufacturers, which had been relatively strong, have fallen across the board.
Many retailers were unable to open in early February due to the new corona, and even after reopening, consumers voluntarily stopped going out.
According to Honda, about 80 percent of approximately 1,200 dealers in China have resumed business as of March 6. However, demand is sluggish.
Toyota sales also fell 70.2 percent in the month of February, its largest monthly drop since at least 2000. Nissan has yet to announce its sales results.
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China’s passenger car sales in February were down about 80 percent overall. “It’s a major anomaly and the biggest fall in the last 20 years,” says an industry association representative.
