Korean Media: China's auto exports poised to surpass 10 million units, leaving Japan and Germany far behind!

On June 21, South Korean media outlet *Herald Economy* published an article stating that China's automotive industry continues to expand globally with unstoppable momentum. Some forecasts even suggest that China's auto exports could exceed 10 million units for the first time this year.

He Yi, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Automotive Industries, said at the recent China Automotive Industry Development Forum held in Tianjin, "In 2026, China’s auto exports are very likely to surpass 10 million units."

The actual growth rate is astonishing. Last year, China’s auto exports reached 7.1 million units, up 21.1% year-on-year, overtaking Japan to become the world’s largest auto exporter. If this year’s forecast comes true, the growth rate will once again exceed 40%.

Electric vehicles are at the core of this explosive growth. Last year alone, China’s new energy vehicle exports amounted to 2.615 million units—nearly doubling compared to the previous year.

Benefiting enterprises include BYD, Chery, and SAIC Group. These companies are rapidly expanding their sales networks, focusing particularly on markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. In this context, analysts point out that China has solidified its position as the world’s largest auto exporter, and the global automotive supply chain center is swiftly shifting toward China.

In April, China’s auto exports hit a record high of 901,000 units, surging 74.4% year-on-year. Cumulative exports from January to April this year reached 3.13 million units, up 61.5% compared to the same period last year.

Chinese enterprises maximize price competitiveness by establishing vertically integrated systems covering not only electric vehicles but also batteries, software, and supply chains. Additionally, they are expanding localized production—especially in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East—to enhance their global influence.

According to a South Korean automotive industry expert: “China was once the world’s factory, but now it is reshaping the global automotive market order. The reason the U.S. and Europe are raising tariff barriers is that the growth of Chinese auto competitiveness has far exceeded expectations.”

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868589898945612/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.