From January to June, China's auto exports increased by 73% year-on-year, of which exports to Russia increased by 622%

Since 2021, with the outbreak of the new crown epidemic in the world, the advantages of the strong resilience of China's auto industry chain have been fully reflected, and China's auto export market has shown super growth in the past three years. In 2021, the sales volume in the export market will be 2.19 million units, a year-on-year increase of 102%. In 2022, the auto export market will sell 3.4 million units, a year-on-year increase of 55%. From January to June 2023, China's auto exports will reach 2.343 million units, and the export growth rate will continue to grow by 73%.

From 2021 to the beginning of 2022, with the export of wholly-owned automobile enterprises, China's automobile exports to European developed countries have made a huge breakthrough. New energy vehicles are the core growth point of China's auto exports, which has changed the passive situation of auto exports relying on some poor and non-standard countries such as Asia and Africa. In 2020, the export of new energy vehicles will be 224,000, which is a good performance; in 2021, the export of new energy vehicles will be 590,000 units, which will continue to grow; in 2022, the cumulative export of new energy vehicles will be 1.12 million units; from January to June 2023, the export of new energy vehicles will be 800,000 units, an increase of 105% year-on-year; among them, the export of new energy passenger vehicles in 2023 is 770,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 113%, accounting for 96% of new energy vehicle exports.

China's new energy vehicles are mainly exported to Western Europe and Southeast Asia. In the past two years, Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom in Western and Southern Europe have become export highlights. This year, exports to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand have strengthened. Self-owned brand SAIC Passenger Vehicles, BYD, and other new energy models performed strongly.

In the early stage, China's exports to America, such as Chile, performed relatively well. This year, China exported 370,000 vehicles to Russia, a substantial increase of 622%. Among them, the sharp increase in exports of heavy trucks and tractors has made a huge contribution to Russia. European exports continued to maintain steady and strong growth.

1. The overall trend of China's auto exports

1. Characteristics of the growth rate of automobile export


China's auto exports have experienced a million-level platform period for many years and finally began to break through in 2021. After the sharp decline in the global economic downturn from 2013 to 2016, the export growth rate gradually stabilized and improved from 2017 to 2020, and the annual export volume remained at around 1 million units. Exports in 2020 reached 1.08 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 13%. Then entered a period of high growth.

Due to the impact of the world epidemic and Tesla's domestic production, China's auto exports have achieved huge sales and unit price breakthroughs. From January to June 2023, China's automobile exports will reach 2.34 million units, and the export growth rate will continue to grow at a rate of 73%. As long as there is stable international market demand, there is still huge room for the development of China's auto exports in the future.



The sales volume for the whole year of 2020 reached 1.085 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 13.1%. In 2021, the sales volume in the export market will be 2.187 million units, a year-on-year increase of 102%.

In 2022, the sales volume in the export market will be 3.4 million units, a year-on-year increase of 55%, mainly due to insufficient overseas supply and the substantial increase in the export competitiveness of Chinese auto companies. In the past two years, China's exports have increased significantly under the international epidemic + Russia-Ukraine crisis.

In June 2023, China's automobile exports will reach 410,000 units, and the export growth rate will continue to grow by 61%. From January to June 2023, China's auto exports will reach 2.34 million units, and the export growth rate will continue to grow by 73%. The performance is super strong. Compared with the gradual recovery of domestic auto sales, the performance of the export market is still super strong. The main driving force this year is still the improvement of the competitiveness of Chinese products, breakthroughs in the European and American markets, and the replacement of international brands in the Russian market by Chinese cars under the Russia-Ukraine crisis, especially the huge increase in exports brought about by the improvement of China's new energy export competitiveness.

2. Monthly trend of vehicle exports



From the perspective of monthly trends, exports in recent years still show seasonal characteristics, showing the characteristics of peaking and falling in the summer roller coaster. In 2022, the auto market had a strong start, but from February to April affected by the Shanghai epidemic, the export volume showed a downward trend of month-on-month decline and continued to rise from May to September. However, under the global epidemic, due to problems in overseas supply chains, China's auto exports have risen strongly.

In 2023, exports will continue to remain strong, and sales in the fourth quarter of 2022 will be maintained, reflecting a significant increase in the world competitiveness of China's auto industry.

In June 2023, China's auto exports reached 410,000 units, and exports in June continued to maintain a historically high trend. Due to the high base brought by the recovery of Shanghai in 2022, exports in June this year increased by more than 61%, so China's auto exports surged situation has continued.

3. Structural characteristics of vehicle exports


The export car market from 2017 to 2019 has grown relative to the same period. In 2021, the export of complete vehicles (including chassis) will be 2.19 million units, and the growth rate of 102% is considered very good. The better export performance in 2021-2022 is the four-wheel drive SUV and other passenger cars.

From January to June 2023, the export of automobiles will be strong in an all-around way. Passenger cars will be the main export force, with the highest growth rate of 89%. Among them, the exports of four-wheel drive SUVs and unlisted passenger cars will be better. The export performance of passenger cars and special vehicles this year is mediocre.

From January to June 2023, customs trucks will export 330,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 37%. Compared with the downturn in domestic trucks, the export performance of all types of trucks has rebounded recently.



From a structural point of view, the increase in the export performance of passenger cars is the export of unlisted passenger cars. In 2023, the export of unlisted passenger cars will reach 36% of passenger cars.

Among the trucks, the growth of tractors was better, and the export performance of light trucks fell. Light passenger cars in passenger cars are worse.

4. Structural characteristics of new energy vehicle exports


The export volume of new energy vehicles before 2019 is relatively large, but passenger vehicles are miniature low-speed electric vehicles, and the actual number of mainstream new energy vehicles is not large.

The export structure and quantity of new energy passenger vehicles have improved. New energy exports will perform well in 2020-2022, and a total of 1.12 million new energy vehicles will be exported in 2022.

From January to June 2023, 800,000 new energy vehicles will be exported, a year-on-year increase of 105%. Among them, 770,000 new energy passenger vehicles will be exported in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 113%, accounting for 96% of new energy vehicle exports. The export of new energy special vehicles also grew rapidly.



The export growth rate of passenger vehicles in 2023 will be faster than that in 2022. The export of pure electric trucks is very strong, which is a good performance.



In 2023, the export of new energy vehicles for passenger cars will account for 40% of passenger cars, while the export of new energy for trucks will account for 7%, and the export of new energy for passenger cars will account for 15%. The high degree of recognition.

2. Overseas Market Pattern of Automobile Exports

1. Regional characteristics of export manufacturers


The importance of Shanghai to China's exports is extremely obvious. In 2021, Shanghai will account for 23% of China's exports; in 2022, Shanghai will account for 24% of China's exports; from January to June 2023, Shanghai will account for 21% of China's exports. This is mainly due to the relatively good local enterprises in Shanghai, especially the two enterprises of SAIC Motor and Tesla, which have relatively strong export volumes, so they have a relatively large growth performance, but SAIC-GM's export performance is stable.

Anhui's export performance is relatively strong, mainly due to Chery's relatively strong export performance.

The contribution of automobile exports in Zhejiang, Chongqing, Shandong, Beijing, and Tianjin dropped significantly. In 2022, Tianjin's export performance will be strong, mainly due to the relatively strong export performance of new energy vehicles. In 2023, Tianjin's auto export performance will be weak.

2. Regional trend analysis


In terms of sales volume, exports from 2017 to 2023 will gradually pick up, mainly due to the contribution of Europe. In 2023, Europe will account for 39%, far exceeding other regions. The recent market share growth in developed markets in Europe and North America has been outstanding, and the markets in developed countries have performed strongly.

The performance of Africa and South America fell back relatively. Export demand in poor and backward parts of the world is unstable and unsustainable.

The main region of China's auto exports is Europe, and the growth rate is in economically developed regions. Currently, the trend in developed regions is super strong. Exports from poorer Asia were weaker, and Africa was mediocre.



The Russian market has changed dramatically this year, and other foreign capital has withdrawn, so China's exports to Russia have also increased. Last year, more cars were exported to Belgium. This year, the European economy is sluggish, but the market share of Germany and the United Kingdom has increased.

The Chilean auto market plummeted by 50%, which was stronger in previous years. Asia remains the market for Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. The recent Mexican market has been strong.

The average export price in 2021 will be US$16,000, and the average export price of automobiles in 2022 will be US$18,000, rising to US$20,000 this year. The quality of exports this year will increase steadily compared to last year's average price.

3. Monthly increase and decrease trend of vehicle export


In 2023, the export of complete vehicles will mainly be in Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other markets. In June, markets such as Bangladesh, Chile, and Vietnam fell sharply; the Mexican and Russian markets both performed relatively strongly, and even the Russian market has become the core market for incremental growth.


From January to June 2023, the relatively large increase is in the markets of Russia, Europe, North America, and Asia, and Russia, Mexico, and Australia are all very strong.

Generally speaking, the world epidemic has brought a certain boost to the export of China's auto market. Due to overseas conflicts and the increase in the cost performance of Chinese autos, China's exports to various countries have also increased to a certain extent.

4. Analysis of changes in new energy export regions


With Tesla entering China, the pattern of China's auto exports has changed. In 2023, regions with relatively strong exports of new energy vehicles are Shanghai, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Hubei.

At present, micro electric vehicles in the northern region have a greater advantage in the export of new energy vehicles, and the performance of low-speed electric vehicles in Tianjin, Beijing, and Hebei is relatively strong.

Judging from the current increase in exports, the increase in Shanghai is relatively large, which is mainly due to the relatively good demand in the export market for SAIC passenger vehicles.

5. Analysis of changes in exporting countries


The effect of overseas bases on automobile exports in the early stage was not ideal. In 2020, the realization of automobile exports will mainly be in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Chile, which will fluctuate violently.

In 2021, the structure of automobile exports will improve, mainly in Belgium, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, and other countries.

In 2022, the main markets for automobile exports will come from Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Belgium, Australia, the Philippines, Russia, etc., with many underdeveloped countries.

In 2023, the main markets for automobile exports will come from Russia, Mexico, Belgium, Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and other countries, and the European and American markets will be stronger. Recently, the performance of relatively developed countries such as Australia, Belgium, and the United Kingdom has improved.

The target market demand for auto exports fluctuates greatly. In the early stage, exports from countries such as Iran, Mexico, and Bangladesh were boosted. These countries suffered a lot from the epidemic. Countries such as Chile and Egypt have also suffered recent export losses.

6. Analysis of changes in exports to Russia


Russia has suddenly become the largest market for China's auto exports. This is the first major change in China's auto exports after 15 years. Back then, China's independent brands entered the Russian market and performed well. However, as Russia imposed huge tariffs on the Chinese autos Policy, Chinese cars almost withdrew from Russia that year.

Recently, cars from other countries have withdrawn from Russia, and Chinese car companies quickly ensured the vehicle supply and demand in Russia. The current Chinese car companies should be safe in Russia for the time being, but they still need to be cautious.

The export of tractors, heavy trucks, and other products to China has increased countless times, which is also a characteristic of good performance.

7. Structural characteristics of new energy passenger vehicle exports


In 2022, the export of new energy vehicles will increase by 90% year-on-year. New energy vehicles are mainly exported to Europe and Asia.

From January to June 2023, China exported 800,000 new energy passenger vehicles, a strong growth of 146%. The annual export of new energy vehicles to European countries performed very well. Export trends to India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines are divided, but the average price is very low.

8. National characteristics of new energy passenger vehicle export


In 2023, exports to European countries such as Belgium and the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia such as Thailand are the two main directions. Recently, Spain, Australia, Thailand, and the Philippines have performed relatively well.

3. Export Trends of Passenger Cars by Category

1. Export of passenger cars by displacement


The displacement of passenger cars for export is mainly in the range of 1 liter to 1.5 liters, which is also the comprehensive advantage of China's self-owned passenger car products.

The product grade of electric vehicle models has been continuously improved, and the export of high-end electric vehicles has improved greatly.

2. Structural characteristics of passenger vehicle exports


China's passenger car exports from January to June 2023 will mainly decline in economically underdeveloped countries such as Egypt, Chile, and Pakistan.

In 2023, Spain, Thailand, and Australia will have a strong export performance of passenger vehicles to developed countries.

4. Export trend of trucks by category

1. Truck export


The export growth rate of the truck market has not been strong in recent years, and its share in the automobile export market has continued to shrink slightly.

The main force in the truck market is gasoline and diesel trucks below 5 tons, and there is a strong demand for heavy-duty diesel trucks above 20 tons.

With the gradual easing of overseas epidemics and the rise in mineral prices, the export of Chinese trucks has been promoted, effectively offsetting the downward pressure in the country.

2. Changes in the truck export market


The overall performance of the top players in the truck export market was stable. In 2022, the main export will perform better.

From January to June 2023, Russia and Mexico have strong truck exports. Truck exports fell in Chile and Vietnam.

5. Export trend of passenger cars by category

1. Bus export



Due to the outbreak of the epidemic, the demand for buses in the world has declined to a certain extent, resulting in the continuous shrinkage of China's bus exports in the past two years, from 64,000 units in 2019 to 37,000 units in 2021.

World demand will recover after the epidemic in 2023, and China's bus exports from January to June will increase to 32,000 units. The export of pure electric buses continued to recover.

2. Characteristics of changes in the passenger car export market


The main export markets of China's passenger cars are relatively scattered, mainly belonging to underdeveloped countries, and the market is relatively complicated, so it is difficult to carry out export in an orderly and continuous manner. The increase in exports this year is in markets such as Saudi Arabia, Peru, and Russia, and the demand for passenger cars in Vietnam and other countries is also strong in June. It is the developing countries that are shrinking, and markets such as Egypt and Venezuela have experienced relatively large declines.