Nio Founder Predicts China Car Sales Will Plunge 20% in 2026

Electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio Inc. founder William Li predicted that China’s passenger car sales will fall 15% to 20% in 2026, while saying that automakers can survive the market downturn by building an integrated system spanning technology, supply chain and after-sales service.

The grim forecast underscores a fundamental shift in the world’s largest auto market, which is transitioning from an era of rapid expansion into a saturated landscape defined by fierce rivalry and stagnating demand.