Data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) shows that from January to May 2026, China exported 4.24 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 49%.
Exports of new energy vehicles reached 1.89 million units, a year-on-year increase of 61%. During the same period, the export value of auto parts reached 288.964 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 1.8%.
Against the backdrop of continuously expanding export volume, trade policies in several major export destinations have recently been adjusted, involving tariffs, quotas, and localization requirements.
my country’s top 10 automobile export destinations from January to May
From January to May 2026, China exported 4.24 million automobiles, a year-on-year increase of 49%.
In May alone, vehicle exports reached 988,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 42%. The top 10 countries for my country’s automobile exports from January to May are shown in the following figure:
Compared to the same period last year, Brazil rose from fourth to first place in terms of export destinations; Algeria and the UK markets saw relatively rapid growth, with year-on-year increases of 298.61% and 80.46% respectively; while the UAE and Mexico experienced significant declines in export volume.
From January to May, the top 10 countries for my country’s new energy vehicle exports
From January to May 2026, my country exported 1.89 million new energy vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 61%.
In May alone, exports reached 463,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 59%.
my country’s new energy vehicles are mainly exported to the two major markets of Europe and Asia.
The top 10 countries to which my country exported new energy vehicles in the first five months of 2026 were: Brazil (289,558 vehicles), Belgium (154,646 vehicles), the United Kingdom (132,570 vehicles), Australia (122,022 vehicles), Thailand (99,425 vehicles), the Philippines (83,691 vehicles), Italy (69,431 vehicles), Germany (68,241 vehicles), South Korea (63,351 vehicles), and Spain (58,030 vehicles).
In the first five months, Brazil surpassed Belgium to become my country’s largest export market for new energy vehicles, with a year-on-year increase of 174.43%.
Australia and Thailand also saw strong growth in new energy vehicle exports, with year-on-year increases of 115.46% and 89.94%, respectively.
Changes in the structure of complete vehicle exports:
Recent changes in trade policies of major export markets
While my country’s automobile exports continue to expand, trade policies in several major export destinations have recently been adjusted.
EU: Proposes imposing countervailing duties on plug-in hybrid vehicles
According to a report by the German business daily Handelsblatt on June 19, following the imposition of additional anti-subsidy tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese-made pure electric vehicles in 2024, the European Commission is working to extend the policy boundaries of similar trade remedies to include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) imported from China.
The report states that preparations are complete and implementation will commence once approved by a majority of EU member states.
In addition to tariffs, the EU is also continuously raising industry compliance thresholds.
From February 18, 2027, the EU Battery Act stipulates that all new energy vehicles exported to Europe must fully declare the carbon footprint data of their batteries throughout their entire lifecycle.
The European Commission’s Industrial Accelerator Act, released on March 4, proposes to introduce “Made in the EU” requirements into public procurement and financially supported projects, covering “key strategic areas” such as electric vehicles, batteries, and photovoltaics.
Brazil: Reinstates Duty-Free Import Quotas for Electric Vehicles
On June 23, the Executive Management Committee of Brazil’s Foreign Trade Committee (CAMEX) decided to reinstate zero-tariff import quotas for CKD (completely disassembled vehicles) and semi-knocked-down (SMD) vehicles, effective July 1, 2026, for a period of six months, totaling US$463 million, the same standards as before January of this year.
For imports exceeding the quota, SMD vehicles will still be taxed at a rate of 35%, and CKD vehicles will continue to be taxed at a rate of 14%. CBU (completely assembled vehicle) vehicles will not be subject to any quota restrictions.
Mexico: Imposing tariffs on 1,463 products, with rates reaching up to 50%.
In December 2025, the Mexican Congress passed a tariff bill, imposing tariffs ranging from 5% to 50% on 1,463 categories of goods from non-free trade partner countries such as China, India, Thailand, and South Korea, effective January 1, 2026. These tariffs cover key industries including automobiles and auto parts, steel, and textiles.
Specifically, import tariffs on passenger vehicles will increase significantly from 20% to 50%, tariffs on auto parts will rise to 7% to 36%, and tariffs on core components such as engines and transmissions will be concentrated between 30% and 36%.
Haolian Technology, with over 30 years of import and export experience, deeply integrates its full-chain service capabilities in customs, finance and taxation, legal affairs, logistics supply chain, and digital technology to create a stable and sustainable path for Chinese enterprises to expand overseas, providing comprehensive support from initial strategic design to operational implementation.
