On March 12, after the "COSCO Prosperity" roll-on ship berthed at the Nansha Automobile Port in Guangzhou Port, it was transported to the Middle East with more than 1,300 commercial vehicles. This is the first voyage of the port's new Middle East route. Nansha Automobile Port is the largest automobile ro-ro terminal cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Eight foreign trade routes have opened, including Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America. In 2022, Nansha Automobile Port will complete foreign trade exports exceeding 100,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 322.8%.
On February 19, the "JIUYANG FORTUNE" ocean-going ro-ro ship, fully loaded with 3,427 vehicles, left the berth at Shanghai Haitong International Automobile Terminal and sailed to the port of Mazatlan, Mexico, which also marked the first ocean-going ro-ro transport of Anhui Haary International Ro-Ro Transport Co., Ltd. The route (China-Mexico route) was opened for operation. Haitong Terminal is one of the largest automobile export terminals in China. Chinese automobiles depart from here and are sold to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. In 2022, the terminal's car exports will exceed one million for the first time, reaching 1.015 million, an increase of 16% over the previous year.
Automobile export is becoming an important engine to promote the rapid development of the automobile industry. According to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on March 10, from January to February this year, my country's automobile exports showed strong momentum, with 630,000 complete automobile exports, a year-on-year increase of 52.9%, of which 170,000 new energy vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase. 62.8%, continuing to be a bright spot in the development of the automotive industry.
Major car companies have also handed over their impressive "transcripts." BYD exported 17,000 vehicles in February, a year-on-year increase of 12 times; Geely exported 17,522 vehicles in February, an increase of about 78% year-on-year, of which the Eastern European regional market increased by 86% year-on-year, the Middle East regional market increased by 54% year-on-year, and the Latin American regional market increased by 22% year-on-year; Changan Automobile's overseas orders in the first quarter exceeded the same period last year, and the annual automobile export is expected to achieve a substantial growth of 30%.
Simultaneously with sales growth is "popularity" - Chinese cars have gained a good reputation in more and more overseas markets.
In Kuwait, a Gulf state, Chinese auto brands are increasingly recognized by local consumers for their technology, safety, and design advantages. Kuwait Finance Corporation, a major private bank in Kuwait, recently held a two-month carnival dedicated to Chinese cars in Farwaniyah Province, Kuwait, and invited auto dealers in Kuwait who represent 13 Chinese auto brands to participate. Kuwait's Al-Arab newspaper commented that Chinese cars, based on their high-cost performance combined with the application of new technologies and designs suitable for the local market, have won the reputation of consumers and the favor of dealers in the local area. According to reports, the market share of Chinese cars in Kuwait has surpassed that of German and Korean cars, while the demand for Chinese cars in the Kuwaiti market is still rising.
China has become the largest source of automobile imports in Chile and South America, with a market share of 39.73% in 2022 and 51.6% of electric vehicle sales from China. Diego Mendoza, secretary-general of the Chilean National Automobile Association, said that China's auto industry has actively adapted to market changes and won the competition in segmented markets. The Chilean market receives its products well. China's auto industry knows how to identify market positioning through a complete product line. China Auto provides new solutions for families, businesses, and other consumer groups that purchase cars for different needs.
Even in Japan, Chinese cars are "changing lanes and overtaking" because of their advantages in the new energy field. Data show that BYD has already occupied about 70% of the Japanese electric bus market. At the end of January, BYD began to sell its pure electric SUV ATTO 3 in the Japanese market, taking the first step to fully entering the Japanese passenger car market. The Japanese media called BYD a "black ship," which means new products and technologies from overseas have had a huge impact on the Japanese market. Experts believe electric vehicles will become mainstream under the global green development trend and allow Chinese auto companies to overtake Japan.
In Japan, BYD's electric forklift was also launched at the same time as the electric bus. The electric forklift solved the pollution problem of agricultural products, such as fuel forklifts, and was highly recognized by the market. Chinese-made electric trucks have also gained a firm foothold in the Japanese market. In 2021, Sagawa Express, a leading Japanese logistics company, announced the purchase of 7,200 electric trucks produced by Guangxi Automobile Group. In the same year, SBS Holdings, a large Japanese logistics company, announced the purchase of 10,000 electric trucks made in China, including those produced by Dongfeng Xiaokang Automobile. In addition, SAIC-GM-Wuling Motors will launch its light electric vehicle, the Hongguang MINI EV, in Japan this spring. Market research shows that the Japanese market has shown interest, and many people think it is suitable as a patrol car for the community.
In Qatar, the Chinese EV buses that once made a stunning debut during the 2022 World Cup are now beautiful on the local streets. According to Yutong, a leading Chinese new energy bus company that won the bid for the Qatar World Cup service vehicle project, driving in Qatar has to withstand the test of hot, dry, strong wind and sand and has strict requirements on vehicle performance. The motor of the pure electric vehicle is equipped with a sand protection structure to improve its adaptability to potholes and gravel roads and ensure its safety; the power battery adopts a liquid cooling system that can control the battery temperature Within the ideal range of no more than 45°C, this reduces the battery capacity decay by 10% in the full life cycle, and the battery has a longer battery life. The air conditioner in the car adopts an intelligent temperature control algorithm, which can automatically detect and identify the temperature inside and outside the car. Change the air volume dynamically; even if the outside of the car is hotter, the inside is still cool.
Because of their high-end product strength, Yutong pure electric buses won the sales championship of pure electric buses in Europe in 2022. Batches of overseas orders from Greece and the United Kingdom have also been produced.
Chinese car companies have continuously expanded their territory in overseas market segments through on-demand customization and independent innovation, achieving differentiated competitive advantages.
With Yutong, Jiangxi Kaima Barluck Bus Co., Ltd. was also amazing at the Qatar World Cup. 155 Barluck buses were exported to Qatar to participate in the World Cup passenger transport guarantee, further enhancing the reputation of Barluck in the Middle East market. According to reports, when the company entered the Middle East market in 2018, it faced competitive pressure from many well-known car companies. When formulating its market strategy, it chose a mid-to-high-end route that emphasized personalized customization and developed in a dislocation. The vehicle's interior has enhanced the refrigeration system to adapt to the Middle East's high temperatures and dry weather. At the same time, special tires for high-temperature-resistant desert areas are used. In terms of interior design, in addition to toilets and restrooms for shift drivers that meet long-distance travel needs, buses are also equipped with small items such as refrigerators, water dispensers, charging sockets, and small dining boards to improve ride comfort. At the same time, the "open front wall" design makes the maintenance and replacement of lights, wiper motors, and wiper water bottles more convenient, saving time and money on vehicle maintenance. It is estimated that in the first quarter of this year, the export volume of BONLUCK will exceed 185 million yuan, surpassing the whole year of last year, and nearly 80% of the orders will come from the Middle East market.
Open up a new channel for cars to "go to sea."
On March 9, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port Area Customs released data showing that in the first two months of this year, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port Area Customs, located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, supervised a total of 55,000 "water-water combined transport" export vehicles, accounting for 50,000 vehicles exported by Waigaoqiao Port Area. 34% of the total.
Through the "water-water combined transport" transportation method, the export vehicles along the Yangtze River can go through the customs declaration procedures where the company is located. After arriving at the Waigaoqiao Port Area by domestic trade ships, they can go through the customs clearance procedures and leave the country directly on ocean-going freighters. The integrated operation of ports along the Yangtze River and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port, domestic trade, and foreign trade have been realized. Feng Ping, deputy general manager of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. International Company, said that in 2022, Chery would export 100,000 vehicles through the "water-water combined transport" mode, accounting for 78% of the company's total vehicle exports. The "water-water combined transport" barge has a large loading capacity. It does not need to be loaded and unloaded, which reduces the vehicle damage rate and saves about 15% to 20% of transportation costs per vehicle.
In recent years, all regions have been actively smoothing the "sea-going" channels for automobiles, urging the new energy automobile industry to strive for greater development opportunities in the global market.
"Nowadays, sea-rail intermodal train lines are getting more and more dense. It is very convenient for domestic and foreign trade goods to 'cross mountains and seas,' and the freight volume is increasing yearly." Huang Jiangnan, director of Qinzhou Port East Station of Guangxi Coastal Railway Company, said that the Western Land-Sea New Corridor Railway Sea-transport freight could reach 393 ports in 119 countries and regions worldwide. In the first two months of this year, rail-sea freight trains transported 120,000 TEUs of goods, an increase of 11.2% year-on-year. Goods from Southwest China are "going out" through new channels. " The effect is obvious.
New energy vehicles in Liuzhou, Guangxi, are transported to ASEAN, the Americas, and other places through the Western Land-Sea New Corridor rail-sea intermodal train. At the Luorong Automobile Logistics Base in Liuzhou, a "Made in China" new energy car was organized, dispatched, and driven into a special double-decker transportation train. According to Chen Jie, foreman of the Luorong Sales Department of Liuzhou Freight Centre, the number of cars shipped by Luorong Automobile Logistics Base exceeded 130,000 last year, maintaining the growth momentum.
The China Railway Express has become an important channel for automobile exports northeast of the old industrial base.
Recently, a China-Europe train carrying 110 FAW-Hongqi E-HS9 cars slowly departed from the Changchun New District International Port Area. After 25 days, these new energy vehicles will arrive in the hinterland of Europe, which is nearly a month earlier than sea transportation. Shorten the delivery cycle of enterprise orders.
To fully support the development of the export business of complete automobiles, Changchun Xinglong Customs established a special class for the export of complete automobiles, set up a special window for the export of complete automobiles, and adopted three measures of priority acceptance, fast processing, and full-process tracking services to fully support Hongqi, Pentium, Jiefang, and other high-quality automobile brands. These measures have accelerated the pace of overseas market expansion. Over 500 FAW vehicles are exported through the Changchun New Area International Port Area China-Europe Express monthly.
"There is a China-Europe freight train at our doorstep, which allows us to achieve 'shipping out of the factory.' The logistics speed is faster, the order delivery cycle is shorter, and the total bonded area can enjoy export tax rebates in advance, saving cash flow and flexibly arranging according to overseas sales plans. Shipment." Mr. Zhang, the person in charge of the relevant business of FAW Group Import and Export Company, said
