export 10 million units

China has multiplied its car exports. While sales in the local market seem slightly stagnant, the number of vehicles leaving its borders has skyrocketed to the point that, everything indicates, we will see a new export record this year.

And it makes perfect sense.

Almost a million. China exported 901,000 vehicles last April, of which 796,000 units were passenger vehicles, they explain in Associated Press. It is a figure slightly higher than that of last March but, above all, it is completely disconnected from the 2025 data since 85% more cars have been exported than in April of last year.

So far this year, the total number of vehicles exported now exceeds 3.13 million units, which represents a growth of more than 60% compared to the January-April 2025 period, they explain in CNEV Post.

10 million. It is the objective, they point out in this latest publication, for this year. If the pace is maintained, exports would far exceed this figure. Last year, China placed 7.1 million vehicles in other markets and the forecasts They pointed out that this year they would grow slightly to 7.4 million.

However, this new barrier of 10 million vehicles that looms on the horizon represents a new historical milestone. Last year it already grew by 21.1%. If we maintain this pace we would be talking about growth above 30%.

Because? China has an internal problem. With aid for the purchase of electric cars withdrawn, sales of this type of vehicle have fallen. The first months of the year were especially bad but little by little they have been recovering. The rise in fuel prices as a result of the crisis Hormuz has had a lot to do with.

China, which in 2025 once again broke a new record for cars sold, faces a new problem. Last year, with a view to the withdrawal of aid, many cars were self-registered which were difficult to find an outlet for. The market fell into a wild price war and sales of new cars slowed down.

The result is a perfect storm for an industry without aid, with a lot of stock that needs to sell cars to a culture that continues to prioritize family savings. Between January and April of this year, 25% fewer vehicles have been sold in China of passengers than last year.

We sell them outside. The only way out for the Chinese industry is to take its cars outside its borders. This is being the lifeline for some of their companies. BYD, for example, is reaching export levels that were not expected until 2030.

All this movement is allowing China to position itself as a country that offers technological cars at affordable prices. This has allowed them to grow more than 220% in Brazil and reach close to 200% growth in South Korea, Australia and Germany, they point out in Al Jazeera.

The perfect car for each market. Although the Chinese market is aimed at new energy vehicles (NEVs in China include plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles), the country’s advantage is that right now it has the perfect technology for each place.

This type of vehicles has increased its exports in more than 40% so far this year but its main market continues to be Asia. Where electricity has very little penetration, such as Australia or Japan, its growth rates can be very high.

But in other markets like Europe, China has plug-in hybrids that are not subject to tariffs. These types of vehicles are being welcomed with open arms, especially in countries like Spain where the purchase price is the determining factor. Four of the 10 best-selling models with this technology are Chinese.

More and more objectives. It must be added that the country has been making efforts to reach new markets. Despite warnings from the United States, some Chinese brands aim continue gaining followers in Mexico. And exports to Canada have been shot. Even in Japan, BYD will try to sell its own kei car a rarity that no foreigner had dared until now.

Besides, all Latin America is accepting the arrival of more and more Chinese vehicles. The cars continue to arrive while BYD puts the plant built in Brazil into full operation and announces new releases specific to Europe of its plug-in hybrids.

And without forgetting the rest of the companies. While BYD has grown its exports by around 10% at the beginning of the year, Chery has grown by more than 200%, Geely by more than 51% and Leapmotor, now backed by Stellantis, by almost 400%.

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