China exported over 6.4 million vehicles in 2024, marking a 22.8% increase and cementing its position as the world’s top auto exporter. New energy vehicles led the surge, surpassing 2 million units, with strong demand in Europe and Southeast Asia. Despite global challenges, Chinese automakers are expanding abroad, backed by policy support and growing brand recognition.
BRICS bridge-China’s automotive industry continues to make significant strides on the global stage, with the latest data from the General Administration of Customs revealing that the country’s auto exports (including chassis) exceeded 6.4 million units in 2024, marking a remarkable year-on-year increase of 22.8%. This achievement solidifies China’s position as the world’s leading auto exporter. Notably, electric vehicle exports surpassed 2 million units for the first time, highlighting the strong competitiveness of Chinese new energy vehicles in international markets. Over the past four years, China’s overall auto exports have surged nearly fivefold, from 1.08 million units in 2020 to nearly 6.41 million units in 2024. This dramatic growth is attributed to domestic automakers’ technological innovations and the increasing global recognition of Chinese brands.
Despite the impressive figures, challenges remain. National People’s Congress delegate Zhu Huarong has suggested establishing a unified industry database to enhance automakers’ adaptability in overseas markets and avoid redundant resource allocation. Local governments are also taking action to expand auto and auto parts exports. For example, Guangdong Province is supporting enterprises in expanding overseas markets, especially in emerging fields such as electronic information and electric vehicles. Anhui and Guizhou provinces are also formulating special support policies to promote the internationalization of the automotive industry. In terms of market distribution, China’s core export markets in 2024 included Russia, Mexico, and the UAE, while new energy vehicles performed particularly well in Western Europe and Southeast Asia.
Chinese automakers are actively expanding their overseas presence. BYD and Chery have established multiple whole vehicle or parts factories in Southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East. For instance, BYD’s factory in Thailand is expected to create thousands of local jobs. However, industry experts warn that market competition, policy changes, supply chain localization, and cultural differences pose significant challenges for Chinese automakers. If these issues can be effectively addressed through better resource integration and supply chain optimization, China’s automotive industry is poised for a bright future in the global market.