China's auto exports are expected to reach 4 million in the second half of the year
The latest data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) shows that in the first half of the year, my country exported 3.083 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 10.4%. Under the continuous influence of trade barriers, geopolitics and other factors, auto exports face great uncertainty. The export volume exceeded 3 million in the first half of the year, demonstrating the resilience of China's auto development in the international market.
New energy vehicles drive auto exports
On the one hand, China's auto quality and brand building have made significant progress, and the global competitiveness of its products has continued to improve. Data shows that the average value of the industry's new car overall quality PPH (Problems Per Hundred, that is, the number of failures per 100 new cars) in 2024 is 153, which is significantly lower than 181 in 2023; on the other hand, under the background of "carbon peak", the global automotive industry is accelerating its transformation to intelligence and electrification, and the demand for electric vehicles in domestic and foreign consumer markets is growing. Asia, Latin America and other places have become new engines for the growth of global electric vehicle sales. China's automotive products remain ahead in electrification and intelligence, which has enabled China's smart new energy vehicles to gain a group of consumers around the world.
From January to June, 2.023 million traditional fuel vehicles were exported, a year-on-year decrease of 7.5%; 1.06 million new energy vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 75.2%. Although the EU has imposed tariffs on electric vehicles made in China, Chinese automakers are seeking a more active local development strategy, which to a certain extent guarantees the sales of Chinese electric vehicle products in Europe.
At the same time, because plug-in hybrid vehicles still implement basic tariffs, China's plug-in hybrid vehicles have achieved sales growth in Europe. Data shows that in the first half of the year, my country exported 390,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 2.1 times. In addition to the European market, Chinese electric vehicles have also shown a good development trend in markets such as Southeast Asia.
Chery leads, BYD closely follows
Data shows that among the top ten exporting companies in the first half of the year, 9 companies achieved positive growth. Among them, from January to June, Chery Group exported 550,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 3.3%, ranking first in exports. In the first half of 2025, Chery Group exported an average of one Chery car every 29 seconds, continuously refreshing the speed of Chinese cars "going overseas".
In the first half of the year, BYD's exports increased by 1.3 times year-on-year to 470,000 vehicles. Many models continued to sell well in Southeast Asia, Europe, South America and other places, pushing BYD to become the fastest-growing Chinese automaker in terms of export growth. BYD's plug-in hybrid (plug-in hybrid) models have performed well in markets such as Southeast Asia and South America, and have successfully ranked among the top three in local sales.
In the European market, BYD's pure electric vehicle orders continue to grow, and the establishment of the European headquarters has laid a solid foundation for BYD's development in the European market. BYD is also actively developing its overseas market capacity layout. Its factory in Camacari, Iia, Brazil, has begun mass production of new energy vehicles. BYD's Thai factory has a capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Production bases in Europe, Indonesia, Mexico and other places are also being planned.
Mainstream automakers such as SAIC, Changan, Geely and Great Wall are also accelerating their overseas development. In May, Changan Automobile's Rayong factory in Thailand officially went into production. In the next three years, Changan Automobile plans to launch 12 new energy vehicles in the Southeast Asian market. With its flexible product line and localization strategy, Great Wall Motors has achieved nearly 55% export growth in the South American market. Geely's globalization is showing a trend of systematic advancement. In the first half of the year, Geely's overseas cumulative sales exceeded 180,000 vehicles. While consolidating the European market, Geely's Lynk & Co and Zeekr brands are accelerating the development of Hong Kong, Macao and Asia-Pacific markets, and supporting the export of charging networks.
Annual sales are expected to reach 7 million vehicles
Standing at a new starting point of 3.08 million vehicles in the first half of the year, automobile exports in the second half of the year are expected to reach a new level. The sales are expected to reach 4 million in the second half of the year, and the annual exports may reach 7 million. By 2030, there is hope to approach the goal of 10 million (including overseas production).
Statistics from relevant international organizations show that China's new energy vehicle sales account for 65% of the world's total, 20% in the EU, 10% in the United States, and 5% in other countries and regions. China's cost-effective new energy vehicles have made important contributions to the market development of new energy vehicles around the world. In particular, with the acceleration of China's new energy vehicle export localization strategy, China's overseas investment has become an important factor in promoting the development of new energy vehicles around the world.