With the release of third-quarter auto export data, China’s position in the global electric vehicle market has become clearer.
According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), from January to September this year, China exported 5.71 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 21%. September’s figures were particularly impressive, with exports reaching 763,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 26%.
Regarding new energy vehicles, exports reached 2.32 million units in the first three quarters, a year-on-year increase of 52%, compared to a year-on-year growth of 22% in the same period last year. In September, 300,000 new energy vehicles were exported, a year-on-year increase of 66%.
Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the CPCA, believes that the main driver of this year’s auto export growth remains the increasing competitiveness of Chinese products.
Market Evolution: From Dependence on Russia to Diversified Development
Behind the growth of China’s auto exports this year, the relevant landscape has quietly evolved. From last year’s reliance on the Russian market, the market has gradually shifted to relatively strong performance in Central and South America and Europe.
From 2022 to 2024, the Russian market was the core source of growth for China’s auto exports, but this pattern shifted in 2025.
The rise of emerging markets such as Mexico and the UAE replaced Russia’s position. From January to September 2025, Mexico became the largest destination for Chinese auto exports, with 410,739 vehicles shipped. The UAE ranked second with 367,796 vehicles, and Russia ranked third with 357,708 vehicles.
While Russian exports plummeted, emerging markets surged.
In the first nine months of this year, the UAE saw a year-on-year increase of 137,138 vehicles, a 59% increase; Australia saw 90,077 vehicles, a 68% increase; the Philippines saw 73,694 vehicles, a 60% increase; the UK saw 73,614 vehicles, a 49% increase; and Algeria saw 73,543 vehicles, a 275% increase. Meanwhile, Russia saw a year-on-year decrease of 491,880 vehicles, a 58% drop.
Judging from sales over the years, the gradual recovery of automobile exports from 2017 to 2022 was mainly contributed by the European market. After 2022 to 2024, the Russian market saw huge growth and became the core growth of China’s automobile exports.
Regional Flows: Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are the Main Markets
From the perspective of export flows, Chinese electric vehicles are flourishing in multiple locations around the world, forming a diversified market landscape.
The European market is the core area for China’s electric vehicle exports, among which Belgians and British people are most fond of buying Chinese electric vehicles.
From January to September 2025, Belgium became the largest destination for Chinese new energy vehicle exports, with 223,532 units, followed by the United Kingdom with 153,265 units.
In September alone, Belgium (20,869 units) and the United Kingdom (19,521 units) ranked first and third, respectively. Germany also entered the top ten with 10,534 units.
The Middle East market has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions, with the UAE showing remarkable performance.
In the first three quarters of this year, the UAE imported a total of 92,784 Chinese new energy vehicles, a 70% year-on-year increase. September alone saw imports reach 20,859 units, ranking second. The monthly increase of 13,996 units was the highest among all markets, representing a 204% growth rate.
The Southeast Asian market also performed strongly.
The Philippines imported a total of 153,386 Chinese new energy vehicles in the first three quarters, ranking second; Thailand and Indonesia imported 97,319 and 76,843 vehicles, respectively. In September alone, the Philippines (16,012 units) and Indonesia (15,596 units) both ranked in the top five.
In addition, markets such as Australia and Brazil also performed steadily, becoming important importers of Chinese electric vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere.
Cui Dongshu warned that the EU remains the dominant market for pure electric vehicle exports, while demand in markets like Southeast Asia and the Middle East is relatively volatile. This is particularly true with the slowdown in new energy vehicle development overseas, coupled with China’s excessive focus on high-end, large-scale pure electric vehicles and a lack of quality small electric vehicles. This creates significant pressure on pure electric vehicle exports.
At the same time, however, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles are replacing pure electric vehicles as new growth points for exports, demonstrating the diverse adaptability of China’s new energy vehicle technology pipeline.
From January to September 2025, China’s exports of plug-in hybrid vehicles reached 690,000 units, a 208% year-on-year increase. Cui Dongshu believes this is the result of Chinese automakers continuously exploring markets like Australia and the EU.
In September alone, exports of plug-in hybrid vehicles reached 96,000 units, a 292% increase. This growth is primarily driven by growing demand for plug-in hybrid vehicles in the EU, with exports to Middle Eastern markets like Turkey also emerging as new growth points.
Price trend: Average export price has fallen
However, it’s worth noting that while exports are expanding, the average price of Chinese auto exports is declining. Data shows that the average price of Chinese auto exports will be $17,000 in 2025, down from $19,000 in 2023 and $18,000 in 2024.
Industry analysts believe this change is related to Tesla’s declining share of Chinese exports and also reflects the growing influence of Chinese auto brands in the mid- and low-end markets.
As the global energy transition accelerates, Chinese electric vehicles, leveraging their industrial chain advantages and accumulated technological expertise, are carving out ever-larger opportunities in the global market.
However, trade barriers such as EU tariffs and fluctuating demand in different markets remain challenges for Chinese electric vehicles going global.
Recently, at the 2025 Chery Global Innovation Conference, Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Automobile (9973.HK), also discussed the challenges of going global. He noted that some brands struggled with local conditions, others stumbled in safety and quality, and some, due to insufficient local support, sparked complaints from governments and users, damaging the overall image of Chinese brands.
Yin Tongyue believes that globalization cannot simply pursue scale and speed; sustainability is key. Chinese automakers should establish a new image of being “safe, reliable, and high-end” through affordable prices, reliable quality, and sustainable development.
Cui Dongshu stated that China’s auto exports have recently shown exceptional growth, and as long as the international market environment remains stable, there remains significant room for growth in China’s auto exports.
