According to the China Automobile Dealers Association, the latest "Automobile Consumption Index" was released on October 9. The automobile consumption index for September 2026 came in at 83.2, and the October auto market is expected to continue its peak-season momentum, with sales rising slightly compared to September.

During the National Day holiday in October, large-scale auto shows were held in many places and time-limited promotions were rolled out across the board. Consumers who had previously adopted a wait-and-see approach are expected to release their car-purchasing demand. However, this round of demand release is characterized by being concentrated and short-term, and downward pressure on the market after the holiday still exists. Based on a comprehensive assessment, terminal market sales in October will rise slightly from September, showing an overall pattern of "rising enthusiasm, steady transactions, and weak momentum afterward."

Automobile Consumption Index Trend Chart

Demand Sub-Index: Looking at the sub-indices that make up the automobile consumption index, the demand sub-index for September 2026 was 81.3, a slight increase from the previous month. October market demand is mainly driven by pent-up wait-and-see demand accumulated earlier, combined with new demand generated by local auto shows and dealer promotions during the National Day holiday. However, the holiday bonus window is relatively short and difficult to sustain a sharp rise in demand for the whole month, resulting in an overall moderate increase.

Automobile Consumption Index - Demand Sub-Index

Store Traffic Sub-Index: The store traffic sub-index for September 2026 was 87.7, up from the previous month. October weather is comfortable and pleasant, many places held large auto shows during the National Day holiday, and dealers added multiple promotional activities. Store customer traffic is expected to increase significantly compared with September.

Automobile Consumption Index - Store Traffic Sub-Index Trend Chart

Purchase Sub-Index: The purchase sub-index for September 2026 was 83.9, a slight increase from the previous month. During the National Day period, large auto shows were concentrated, and dealers actively increased promotional efforts to seize the peak-season window. Time-limited discounts and exclusive car-purchase benefits were released in a concentrated manner, effectively activating previously wait-and-see existing customer groups and driving a concentrated conversion of intended orders. As post-holiday marketing enthusiasm fades, downward pressure on the market gradually emerges. Therefore, although October transaction volume is expected to improve month on month, the overall increase will be relatively limited.

Automobile Consumption Index - Purchase Sub-Index Trend Chart

From the perspective of the consumption environment and consumers' willingness to buy cars: during the National Day period, many places across the country held large auto shows, integrating display, experience, time-limited discounts, and local limited-time car-purchase subsidies and other resources, creating a large-scale customer-gathering effect. Multiple brands launched October time-limited car-purchase discounts and benefits, while dealers also increased terminal promotions. Consumers who had previously held cash and waited on the sidelines will release their car-purchasing demand in a concentrated way under the stimulus of National Day holiday promotional policies.

In summary, the October market mainly relies on multiple positive factors such as large-scale National Day auto shows, local limited-time car-purchase subsidies, and increased dealer terminal promotions, effectively activating previously accumulated wait-and-see car-purchasing demand. However, this round of demand release has the characteristics of being concentrated and short-term, and downward pressure after the holiday is relatively prominent. October auto market sales are expected to rise slightly month on month from September, continuing the peak-season operating trend, but the overall increase will be moderate, steadily supporting the year-end final sprint.