Chinese Auto Sales Declined Due to Trade War

China's auto sales fell for a second year in 2019, an industry group reported, as a trade war with Washington and an economic slowdown fueled consumer anxiety and demand for electric vehicles weakened.

The downturn is squeezing global and Chinese automakers that are spending billions of dollars to meet government mandates to sell electric vehicles. Sales in the industry's biggest global market declined 9.6% from 2018 levels to 21.4 million sedans, SUVs and minivans, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

After two decades of explosive growth, Chinese auto sales fell 4.1% in 2018 as unease over the tariff war with President Donald Trump and slowing economic growth prompted consumers to put off big purchases.