- China's auto exports reached 3.13 million units from January to April, up 61.5% year-on-year.
- Record export figures are offsetting the impact of sluggish domestic consumption.
China's annual auto exports are projected to hit a milestone of 10 million units in 2026, according to He Yi, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
He made the forecast at the International Forum (TEDA) on Chinese Automotive Industry Development in Tianjin on Wednesday, according to a brief report by local media outlet National Business Daily.
The projection underscores the dominance of China's auto manufacturing in the global supply chain. The country overtook Japan to remain the world's largest automobile exporter in 2025.
In 2025, China's auto exports reached 7.1 million units, an increase of 21.1% from the previous year.
He's forecast implies that China's auto exports are on track to achieve an even higher growth rate of 41% in 2026.
New energy vehicles (NEVs) have become the core driver of China's export surge, maintaining strong growth momentum despite facing trade headwinds in certain key markets.
China's NEV exports reached 2.615 million units in 2025, doubling year-on-year, with the export growth of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models being particularly notable.
Although China's domestic auto sales hit a record 34.4 million units in 2025, fluctuating consumer demand has left manufacturers increasingly reliant on overseas profits.
China's NEV sales fell 10.8% year-on-year in April, while a surge in exports during the same period effectively supported overall production and sales volumes, according to CAAM data.
Auto exports in April alone reached a record high of 901,000 units, surging 74.4% year-on-year and rising 3% from the previous month.
From January to April this year, China's auto exports totaled 3.13 million units, representing a year-on-year growth rate of 61.5%.
