Korean Media: For the First Time, Three Chinese Automotive Brands Enter the Global Top Ten!
On September 9, South Korean media outlet The Global Economy published an article stating that data from the China Passenger Car Market Information Consortium revealed, for the first time in history, three Chinese automotive brands simultaneously secured spots among the top ten in global vehicle sales share.
Over the past decade, Chinese automakers have demonstrated their strength by significantly expanding their market share worldwide. In the context of rapid changes in the global automotive supply chain—worth a staggering 30 trillion KRW annually—this development holds significant implications for South Korea’s global automotive strategy.
According to the 2026 first-half global market share data released by the China Passenger Car Market Information Consortium, BYD ranked sixth globally with a 4.8% market share.
BYD's global market share was only 0.6% in 2016, but it has grown rapidly over the past decade. However, this year’s first-half figures show a slight decline compared to last year’s annual share of 5.4%.
Geely Group ranked seventh globally with a 4.6% market share. Geely’s share was approximately 1.5% in 2016, and its market position has seen substantial growth through the consolidated sales of brands under its umbrella—including Volvo, Smart, Polestar, Lotus, and Proton.
Chery Automobile achieved a 4.1% global market share, tying with American Ford for ninth place. Ten years ago, Chery’s market share stood at just 0.8%, but in recent years, through a dramatic increase in exports, Chery has become one of China’s leading automobile exporters.
Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation leads the global automotive market with an 11% market share. Germany’s Volkswagen Group ranks second with an 8.1% share. South Korea’s Hyundai Motor and Kia remain firmly in third place, each holding a 7.6% share. Despite fierce competition from Chinese brands and increasingly intense global market rivalry, Hyundai and Kia continue to maintain strong competitiveness.
General Motors from the United States ranks eighth with a 4.5% market share, while Ford Motor Company narrowly ties with Chery at 4.1%, placing ninth.
Among other Chinese automakers, SAIC Motor ranks 11th with a 3.7% share, Changan Automobile ranks 17th with 1.9%, and Great Wall Motor ranks 18th with 1.8%. Beijing Automotive Group ranks 21st with a 1.2% share, and Dongfeng Motor ranks 23rd with a 1.1% share.
This surge in Chinese automakers’ growth is a result of their proactive expansion into overseas markets, foreshadowing increasingly fierce competition in the future global mobility landscape.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1875814140761152/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.