Car sales in China have declined for the first time since August 2023 compared to the previous month. According to data published by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Thursday, 2.04 million passenger cars were sold in China in January, 13.9 percent fewer than in December. Sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids also declined for the first time since August – by 29.5 percent to 668,000 vehicles compared to December 2023. Year-on-year comparisons for January and February are generally meaningless due to the fluctuating New Year holidays, when consumption always remains largely dormant.