Rising Car Exports Show China’s Automakers Committed to Overseas Markets
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Chinese car exports continued to grow in the first seven months of this year, propelled largely by surging demand for new-energy vehicles (NEVs) as domestic carmakers sped ahead with global expansion plans in the face of challenges at home.
From January to July, China’s vehicle shipments abroad rose 12.8% year-on-year to 3.68 million cars, according to a report released Monday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
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- China exported 3.68 million vehicles from January to July 2024, up 12.8% year-on-year; NEV exports surged 84.6% to 1.31 million units.
- Chery led exports with 667,000 cars, BYD ranked second with 553,000, and SAIC third with 510,000; major expansion included overseas manufacturing facilities.
- Mexico was the top destination; exports to Russia and Brazil declined, partly due to increased Russian trade barriers and taxes.
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Who’s Who
- Chery Automobile Co. Ltd.
- Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. is China's largest auto exporter, selling 667,000 cars overseas in the first seven months. They have a manufacturing partnership with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and are considering building a second European factory in the U.K. as part of their "localization strategy."
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
- Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. has formed an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing partnership with Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. This collaboration contributes to Chery's position as China's leading auto exporter.
- BYD Co. Ltd.
- BYD Co. Ltd. emerged as China's second-largest vehicle exporter in the first seven months of the year, with overseas shipments more than doubling to 553,000 cars. The company's "going global" strategy began in May 2021, and it has since entered over 100 countries and regions. A notable part of this strategy is the groundbreaking of a $32 million electric car plant in Cambodia.
- SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd.
- SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. is a state-owned Chinese automaker. In the first seven months of this year, it ranked as China's third-largest vehicle exporter, shipping 510,000 cars overseas. This robust export performance occurred as Chinese carmakers expanded globally amidst intense domestic competition.
- Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd.
- Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. is a Chinese automaker behind the Aion EV brand. As part of its international expansion strategy, the company opened a factory in Jakarta in June. This move aligns with a broader trend of Chinese carmakers pushing into overseas markets due to increased domestic competition.
- XPeng Inc.
- XPeng Inc. is an EV manufacturer that has begun local production in Indonesia, making it the company's first overseas manufacturing center. This move, initiated in July, is part of a broader trend of Chinese carmakers expanding into international markets to counter domestic competition.
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What Happened When
- May 2021：
- BYD embarked on its 'going global' strategy, entering more than 100 countries and regions.
- 2022：
- Western carmakers left the Russian market due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- 2023：
- Russia was the biggest importer of Chinese vehicles.
- 2024：
- Russia remained the biggest importer of Chinese vehicles.
- April 2024：
- Russia imposed retroactive duties on cars entering via Central Asia, impacting Chinese vehicle exports.
- October 2024：
- Moscow raised its 'scrappage tax' on imported vehicles by as much as 85%, with annual increases planned through to 2030.
- April 2025：
- BYD broke ground on a $32 million electric car plant in Cambodia.
- June 2025：
- Chery’s U.K. director stated the company was actively considering building its second European factory in the U.K.
- June 2025：
- Guangzhou Automobile Group (Aion EV brand) opened a factory in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- July 2025：
- XPeng began local production in Indonesia, establishing its first overseas manufacturing center.
- First half of 2025：
- Mexico was the biggest destination for vehicle shipments from China.
- First half of 2025：
- Shipments of Chinese cars to Russia and Brazil declined year-on-year—by 62% and 6%, respectively.
- Before August 11, 2025：
- From January to July 2025, China’s vehicle shipments abroad rose 12.8% year-on-year to 3.68 million cars.
- First seven months of 2025：
- Chery sold 667,000 cars overseas, maintaining its status as China’s biggest auto exporter.
- First seven months of 2025：
- BYD’s overseas shipments more than doubled to 553,000 cars, making it China’s second-largest vehicle exporter.
- First seven months of 2025：
- SAIC Motor’s overseas shipments reached 510,000 cars, ranking third among Chinese exporters.
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