China’s automotive industry observed a massive surge in car exports in recent years. During the first half of 2023, China became the largest car exporter, overtaking mammoth automotive producing countries like Germany and Japan. Many countries from Europe, South America, and the Middle East tend to buy cars from China because of the state-of-the-art technology implementation and affordability. This blog explores the leading countries where Chinese cars are exported.
The Rise of Chinese Car Exports
China’s rise as a leading car exporter is supported by the Chinese government, which made massive investments. In addition to that, leading Chinese automakers not only manufacture cars but are also Chinese auto parts wholesale suppliers. Especially in the EV car segment, Chinese exports have been through the roofs. Production of Chinese cars rose because of China’s capacity to produce cars more than double its domestic demands.
Which Type of Cars Does China Export Most?
Electrical vehicles (EVs) are the main car type that is being exported to foreign countries. Besides that, the production of New-Energy Vehicles (NEV) also increased, making China one of the leading exporters in NEV production. For this reason, people from across the world have been increasingly buying cars from China.
Among all the cars exported from China, around 1.3 million units were NEVs. In addition to that, Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are also imported by several foreign countries. In addition to that, in countries like the UAE, Chinese SUVs are a rising market. Some of the top exporting Chinese car brands include Chery, Changan, Geely, BYD, and BAIC.
Leading Countries Importing Cars from China
Several EU countries are importing cars from China because of the enhanced cost advantages. Chinese EV car manufacturers provide highly competitive pricing due to lower production costs. In other words, China can keep the prices of cars low because of the complete supply chain, and they have scaled the entire production system. Customers from these importing countries prefer to buy cars from China because of its affordability and advanced features compared to the price. Needless to say, this is slowly but steadily changing the export landscape of the country and taking it to a good position.
Russia
Russia became the highest importer of Chinese cars, filling the vacuum left by Western automobile companies. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Western automakers withdrew from the country. At this time, Russia appeared as a key market for Gasoline-powered vehicles imported from China.
According to experts, Russian people are buying cars from China-based brands because they are producing good quality cars. Moreover, Chinese car exporters are offering cars at a staggeringly lower price than their German and Japanese counterparts. On top of that, European countries are importing Chinese cars because the models’ position is in line with consumer preferences and environmental regulations.
China sold around 1 million vehicles to Russia in 2024, which disrupted the Russian domestic car market. Therefore, the country has imposed high import duties on the cars made by Chinese brands. This has impacted the Chinese car export market a little, as not many people are not reaching out to China auto parts wholesale suppliers for automobile parts.
Mexico
After the high tariffs imposed by the U.S. government on Chinese products, China leveraged the Mexican automotive market. BYD is one of the most sold Chinese EV car brands in Mexico and significantly contribute to China’s market of importing used cars. Mexican customers loved these Chinese EVs because of their unbeatable affordability. Also, getting China auto parts from wholesale suppliers comes at an affordable price point.
However, trade experts predict that Mexican markets are being exploited as Chinese automakers might use the Mexican market to penetrate the automotive market of the United States. Hence, Chinese automakers are planning to expand themselves in Mexico, building manufacturing units to cut the supply chain down even faster.
UAE
UAE has become one of the top Chinese car importers in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024, Chinese car companies captured the market share of the overall UAE market from 4 to 7%. Chinese car manufacturers captured the UAE’s automotive market by offering advanced and affordable cars with well-equipped technology.
Brazil
Brazil is one of the leading marketplaces with a demand for Chinese cars, as Chinese car brands are eyeing Latin American growth. Chinese brands like BYD and Great Wall have heavily invested in EV cars, improving exports to Brazil and enabling people buying cars from China. Needless to say, this is contributing to China’s growth in car exports.
In the first half of 2024, BYD sold 32,574 units in Brazil. Chinese brands are advancing in Brazil as a part of the global expansion strategy.
In the Brazilian car market, people prefer to buy cars from China-based brands due to the cost-effectiveness option and quality products. Since most Chinese cars have a central focus on innovation and technology, buyers from the younger generation find Chinese cars very appealing. Providing people with affordable and technologically advanced cars is helping the brands to win over the public.
Belgium
Belgium has also been one of the leading importers of Chinese EV cars. Antwerp and Ghent, two major seaports of Belgium, have been key in importing Chinese EV cars.
China automakers have used Belgium as the gateway to the European car markets. However, with the recent surge of Brazil as an emerging market for Chinese car brands, Belgium’s market has deflated a bit, with not many people buying cars from China. From January to August 2024, Belgium only imported 180,000 cars from China, thus impacting the export car used car market.
Final Words
The growing surge of Chinese cars in foreign countries makes the Chinese prominence evident in the automotive industry. People buy cars from China brands because of the high affordability and improved supply network that Chinese auto making brands are trying to develop around the world. Competing with German and Japanese automaking giants, leading Chinese car brands like BYD, Cherry and Changan are expanding their presence in foreign lands effortlessly.
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