'25 Million City' Shanghai Records '0 Cars Sold' in April

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] In Shanghai, China's "economic capital" with a population of over 25 million, no vehicles were sold last month. The cause is the city lockdown due to COVID-19.

On the 16th (local time), Bloomberg News cited the announcement from the Shanghai Automobile Sales Association (SASA), reporting that not a single vehicle was sold in Shanghai in April. This is a sharp decline compared to the 26,311 vehicles sold in April last year.

According to a prior announcement from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), nationwide automobile sales in April were 1.06 million units, a 36% decrease compared to the previous year.

Shanghai has imposed a six-week city lockdown due to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and is currently on the verge of easing the lockdown. However, about 980,000 Shanghai residents remain under the strictest level of lockdown, unable to leave their apartments.

Additionally, the news agency reported that passenger traffic at China Pudong International Airport has dropped by approximately 99% compared to the previous year.