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China's automotive export industry saw significant growth in the first half of 2025, with a total of 3,083,000 vehicles exported, marking a 10.4% year-on-year increase. This growth was led by several key vehicle models, as revealed by data provided by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
Top Exported Models
The BYD Song Plus emerged as the most exported vehicle, with 134,105 units sent overseas, representing a year-on-year surge of 184.0%. The Chery Discovery 06 C-DM, which saw a massive year-on-year increase from 15 units to 51,372 units, moved up from 271st place in exports last year to 8th this year. The MG ZS came in second with 91,706 vehicles exported, up 45.4% year-on-year.
New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) on the Rise
While gasoline-powered vehicles still dominate the top 20 most exported models, nine new energy vehicles (NEVs) made the list. The number of NEVs exported saw a year-on-year increase of 40.2% for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and 210% for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). A total of 1,060,000 NEVs were exported, including 670,000 BEVs and 390,000 PHEVs.
The Tesla Model Y, although a popular choice, was overtaken by the BYD Sealion 07 EV, which exported 42,543 units. Another significant entry on the list was the BYD Seagull, with 61,314 units exported, and the Geely Binyue (Coolray) with 53,199 units.
Leading Exporters
Chery took the lead as the top vehicle exporter in the first half of 2025, with 548,000 vehicles exported, a 3.1% year-on-year increase. BYD ranked second with 472,000 vehicles exported, a 130% year-on-year increase, making it the brand with the highest growth rate among the top ten vehicle exporters. SAIC, Changan, and Geely are also among the top ten, with 438,000, 299,000, and 236,000 vehicles exported respectively.
The Future of China's Automotive Export Industry
These figures provide a detailed insight into which specific vehicle models drove China's automotive export growth during the first half of 2025 and their comparative year-on-year performance. As China continues to tighten used car export rules, raising barriers for zero-kilometre vehicles in foreign markets, the focus on new, innovative, and high-quality vehicles is likely to intensify. The growing NEV exports suggest that China's push towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions is gaining momentum.
- The significant growth in China's automotive export industry in the first half of 2025 was not limited to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, as nine new energy vehicles (NEVs) made it onto the list of top 20 most exported models.
- The finance sector played a crucial role in this growth, as the number of NEVs exported saw a year-on-year increase of 40.2% for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and an impressive 210% for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
- The automotive business in China is forecasted to increasingly focus on new, innovative, and high-quality vehicles, as the government continues to tighten used car export rules, leading to an emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions, such as new energy vehicles.
