Car exports maintain strong momentum in April
China's automobile exports surged in April, with 901,000 vehicles shipped—up 74.4% year-on-year—led by new energy vehicles (NEVs), which accounted for 53.2% of domestic sales and dominated 61% of the global NEV market in Q1. Chinese automakers like BYD, Chery, and XPeng are expanding overseas production and R&D, targeting Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America as demand for affordable EVs rises globally.
China’s auto exports reached 901,000 vehicles in April, a 74.4% increase from the previous year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. New energy vehicles (NEVs) drove growth, with 430,000 units exported—a more than twofold rise—and accounting for 53.2% of total new vehicle sales in April. Chinese brands dominated the global NEV market, capturing 61% of the first-quarter share, though slightly down from a 68% peak in 2025. The top 10 export markets for Chinese NEVs in Q1 included Brazil, Belgium, the UK, the UAE, Italy, Australia, Germany, Thailand, Spain, and South Korea. Demand surged in Europe, where inquiries for EVs under €30,000 jumped 87% in Germany, and used EV demand tripled in the UK for models aged 5–7 years. Chinese automakers are accelerating overseas expansion beyond exports, investing in localized production and R&D. BYD is advancing plants in Hungary and Malaysia, while Chery opened its first regional operation center in Barcelona, Spain. XPeng plans to expand manufacturing in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America this year. Xiaomi Auto, Leapmotor, and Geely are also prioritizing Europe for R&D, with engineering centers in Germany and other regions to support long-term global growth. The shift reflects rising demand for affordable EVs amid elevated global fuel prices, accelerating the transition to greener consumption.
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