Summary of the Expert Call on China Auto/EV Market Outlook Industry Overview - **Industry**: China Auto/EV - **Focus**: Local demand and exports outlook for 2026E Key Takeaways 1. **Declining Market Demand**: Market demand has been on a declining trend since late October 2025, primarily due to the expiration of national subsidies [1][2][3] 2. **Subsidy Standards**: There is a likelihood of higher standards for subsidies in 2026E to ensure healthy growth, despite anticipated impacts on demand [1][2] 3. **Export Focus**: Exports are expected to become a key focus for Chinese OEMs to mitigate the effects of a potentially muted local market [1][2][10] 4. **Battery and Technology Trends**: The trend towards larger batteries and increased intellectualization in vehicles will be significant as the industry aims for high-quality growth [1][11] Market Dynamics 1. **Order Trends**: Orders have been declining since mid-late October 2025, with a notable slump in November as customers await national subsidies [3][4] 2. **OEM Performance**: Weekly orders for major OEMs have decreased, with BYD at less than 70k units and Geely at less than 30k units for its Galaxy brand [4] 3. **EV Penetration Rate**: The discount ratio for ICE car models is decreasing, leading to a record-high monthly EV penetration rate, expected to exceed 60% in November 2025 [5] Policy Outlook 1. **Tightening Policies**: A tightening policy is anticipated for 2026, with potential continuation of trade-in/scrapping policies until the end of 2027E [6][8] 2. **Subsidy Adjustments**: Future trade-in subsidies may be based on a percentage of the average selling price (ASP) of vehicles, potentially reducing discounts for lower-end models [6][8] Competitive Landscape 1. **Impact of EV Tax Exemption**: The reduction of the EV purchase tax exemption in 2026 may slightly benefit ICE models, while upgraded hybrid cars could challenge low-end PHEV models [9] 2. **Luxury Brand Challenges**: Luxury brands are facing significant challenges, with many BMW dealerships closing and shifting focus towards NEV players [9] Export Strategies 1. **Government Support for Exports**: The Chinese government is encouraging exports, with many OEMs expanding their international presence [10] 2. **Global Market Expansion**: BYD, Chery, and Geely have established over 1,000 shops in overseas markets, while Leapmotor and XPENG are also increasing their international footprint [10] Future Trends 1. **Technological Advancements**: The focus will shift from price wars to technology and platform upgrades, with large-size batteries and advanced intelligent features becoming essential for competitiveness [11] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the expert call regarding the future of the China auto market, highlighting both challenges and opportunities as the industry navigates through changing demand dynamics and policy landscapes.