Car sales forecast to rise by 3% while US tariffs pose challenge

The PCTC market has seen little movement in early 2025, aside from major listed companies reporting quarterly results in line with expectations. GlobalData forecasts global light vehicle sales to grow by over 3% year-on-year, reaching 91.6 million units in 2025. While potential US trade tariffs pose a risk to international trade and economic growth, lower interest rates, new car model launches, and competitive market dynamics are expected to support steady sales growth throughout the year.

Slow start for China – expectations remain strong for 2025
Chinese car sales dropped over 3% year-on-year in January, reaching 87,000 units, impacted by shipping delays and weaker demand. However, long-term projections remain bullish. China’s car exports are expected to surge to 7.3 million units by 2030, up from 4.7 million units last year, reinforcing the country’s growing dominance in global auto trade.