Is buying a car like trading stocks? One car owner's beloved vehicle has depreciated by nearly 50,000 yuan in a year.

Introduction

Part One || The current automotive market is in a period of transformation, with rapid technological iteration and frequent launches of new models, which directly affect the vehicle's resale value. Especially for new energy vehicles, the rapid progress of battery technology and the upgrading of intelligent configurations have accelerated the depreciation of older models.

Part Two || The market share directly affects the liquidity of used cars. Information from the used - car market shows that models with a large market share usually have a more complete after - sales service system and parts supply, which largely guarantees the second - hand value of the vehicle.

Part Three || Before purchasing a car, consumers should focus on the three - year resale value data of the target model, which can better reflect the long - term value trend of the vehicle. At the same time, they should also pay attention to the differences in resale value among different brands and different levels of models.

In the just - passed September, various automakers launched a large number of new models, setting a new record for the number of new car launches in a single month. Coupled with subsidies and manufacturer promotions, consumers queued up to place orders. The automotive market was extremely bustling throughout September and the National Day holiday. However, beneath the hustle and bustle, many consumers faced an embarrassing reality: their newly purchased cars depreciated by thousands or even tens of thousands of yuan in a blink of an eye. In the car - buying boom of "Golden September and Silver October", how to avoid being a "sucker" has become a concern for consumers.

"I bought an electric car in March. Just half a year later, the official price was cut by 30,000 yuan. The depreciation rate is too fast," said Li Lei, a car owner who came to a 4S store in Beijing for maintenance, helplessly. As automakers launched new models intensively in September, more and more consumers had the same experience as Li Lei.

The "China Automobile Resale Value Research Report for August 2025" (hereinafter referred to as the "August Resale Value Report") jointly released by the China Automobile Dealers Association and Jingzhengu shows that the average resale value of plug - in hybrid models with a three - year age is only 43.9%, and that of pure - electric models is 42.6%, both generally lower than that of traditional fuel - powered vehicles.

The report points out that the average three - year resale value of fuel - powered vehicles remains above 50%, significantly higher than that of new energy models. This data reveals the cruel reality behind the prosperous appearance of the automotive market: Cars, especially new energy vehicles, are becoming consumer goods with an astonishing depreciation rate.

01 The Dilemma of Resale Value under the Prosperous Automotive Market

At the beginning of September, major automakers launched new models one after another. According to incomplete statistics, more than 70 new models (including annual facelift models) were launched in China in September alone, covering various market segments from economy cars to luxury SUVs.

Data from the China Automobile Dealers Association shows that the automobile consumption index in August increased by 15.2% compared with the previous month, indicating the arrival of the traditional sales peak season of "Golden September and Silver October".

Behind this car - buying boom, the price war has intensified. Tesla announced an official price adjustment for the Model 3 Long Range Rear - Wheel Drive version at the beginning of September, with a reduction of 10,000 yuan, triggering a series of chain reactions. New car - making forces followed suit one after another, and traditional automakers also had to join this price melee.

"Buying a car now is like buying stocks. As soon as you buy, the price hits the limit down," said Wang Haitao, a car owner in Shanghai, smiling bitterly. "I bought a joint - venture brand pure - electric car last year with an official guide price of 268,000 yuan. Now, the same new model only costs 218,000 yuan. It has depreciated by nearly 50,000 yuan in one year."

The depreciation rate of new energy vehicles is particularly astonishing. According to the "August Resale Value Report", except for a few brands that performed well, the resale value of most new energy models is still not optimistic. The report shows that the average resale value of new energy models with a three - year age is only 43.25%. In contrast, the three - year resale value of joint - venture brands and luxury brands, which still mainly sell fuel - powered vehicles, is mostly above 45%, and some brands have maintained a three - year resale value of over 55% for a long time.

In this regard, an industry insider said: "The current automotive market is in a period of transformation, with rapid technological iteration and frequent launches of new models, which directly affect the vehicle's resale value. Especially for new energy vehicles, the rapid progress of battery technology and the upgrading of intelligent configurations have accelerated the depreciation of older models."

02 Multiple Factors Affecting Resale Value

Brand influence has always been the core factor determining the resale value. According to the "August Resale Value Report", luxury brands and mainstream joint - venture brands continue to lead in terms of resale value due to their brand premium ability. German brands such as Mercedes - Benz, Audi, and BMW, as well as Japanese brands such as Honda and Toyota, have a three - year resale value basically above 50%, far higher than the industry average.

Among independent brands, the performance varies significantly. Traditional automakers represented by GAC Trumpchi and Changan have stable resale values, while the performance of new car - making forces is uneven. Li Auto ranks first among new forces with a three - year resale value of 47.0%, showing strong brand value recognition. NIO, which has a similar positioning, only has a three - year resale value of 40.4%, a difference of 6.4 percentage points from Li Auto.

The market share directly affects the liquidity of used cars. Information from the used - car market shows that models with a large market share usually have a more complete after - sales service system and parts supply, which largely guarantees the second - hand value of the vehicle.

"Used - car buyers are most concerned about the subsequent usage cost and maintenance convenience, which is why models with a large market share are more valuable in the second - hand market," said Liu Zhihuan, a dealer at the Huaxiang Used - Car Market in Beijing.

It should also be noted that the speed of technological iteration has become a new variable affecting the resale value. Especially in the field of new energy vehicles, the rapid iteration of battery technology and intelligent driving systems has led to the rapid depreciation of older models.

"The technological update cycle of new energy vehicles has been shortened from the previous 3 - 5 years to 1 - 2 years. This means that a car bought last year may become an 'old model' this year," analyzed the above - mentioned industry insider.

The manufacturer's pricing strategy also directly affects the resale value. Frequent official price cuts, although stimulating sales in the short term, damage the brand image and the interests of existing car owners, and thus affect the used - car price. The China Automobile Dealers Association specifically pointed out in the "August Resale Value Report" that a stable price system is an important guarantee for maintaining a high resale value.

03 How Consumers Should Buy Cars

Referring to authoritative resale value data is the first step in making a wise car purchase. The monthly automotive resale value report released by the China Automobile Dealers Association is based on a large amount of actual transaction data statistics, providing consumers with an objective and authoritative reference.

Jingzhengu suggests: "Before purchasing a car, consumers should focus on the three - year resale value data of the target model, which can better reflect the long - term value trend of the vehicle. At the same time, they should also pay attention to the differences in resale value among different brands and different levels of models."

It is also crucial to choose a brand with a stable price system. The "August Resale Value Report" shows that some mainstream brands have maintained a high resale value through a stable pricing policy and product strategy. These brands usually do not participate in frequent price wars but win the market through product strength and service.

In addition, consumers also need to pay attention to the brand's after - sales service guarantee. A person from the automobile circulation association pointed out: "A complete after - sales service system, extensive coverage of maintenance outlets, and reasonable parts prices are all important factors supporting the vehicle's resale value. When purchasing a car, consumers should fully consider the brand's after - sales service capabilities."

Especially for new energy vehicles, the battery warranty policy is particularly important. The 8 - year or 160,000 - kilometer battery warranty policies launched by many automakers have, to a certain extent, alleviated consumers' concerns about battery degradation and helped improve the vehicle's resale value.

At the same time, consumers need to rationally balance technological innovation and practicality. An automotive industry analyst suggested: "Consumers should not blindly pursue the latest technological configurations but should choose models with mature technology and high reliability according to their actual vehicle - using needs. Overly advanced technological configurations tend to depreciate faster."

Choosing the right time to buy a car is also crucial. Usually, the period before a model change, the off - season (such as June - July), and the year - end sales push are all good times to get significant discounts. However, consumers also need to note that excessive discounts may mean an upcoming facelift or price cut, which will affect the vehicle's resale value.

As the "Golden September and Silver October" sales peak season continues, more new models and more attractive promotion policies will be introduced one after another. Faced with a wide range of choices, consumers need to keep a clear head. While pursuing the pleasure of "buying early and enjoying early", they should also consider the long - term value of the vehicle. After all, the value of a car is not only reflected in the joy of purchase but also in the return when reselling in the future.

(Li Lei, Wang Haitao, and Liu Zhihuan in the article are aliases)

This article is from the WeChat official account "Economic Observer", author: Wang Shuaiguo, published by 36Kr with authorization.