China exported 1.284 million New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) in 2024 according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), up just under 7% on 2023 (CAAM figures via Just Auto). Total motor vehicle exports from China hit 5.86 million in 2024 (CAAM), eclipsing Japan's exports for the second consecutive year and making China the world's largest auto exporter.
Where the Cars Are Going
Europe is one of the largest destinations for China's NEV exports, with the UK, Belgium and other western European markets prominent. Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Chile) and the Middle East are the other main destinations.
Brand Leaders
BYD's overseas sales grew sharply in 2024, a mix of PHEV and BEV. MG (owned by SAIC) remains one of the biggest Chinese brands abroad. Chery, with its Omoda and Jaecoo sub-brands, has built a large export business, including in Russia and the Middle East. Tesla's Shanghai factory also exports to Europe and Asia-Pacific.
EU Tariff Headwinds
From 30 October 2024 the EU imposed countervailing duties of 7.8% to 35.3% on Chinese-built BEVs, on top of the standard 10% import duty: 17.0% for BYD, 18.8% for Geely, 35.3% for SAIC and 7.8% for Tesla (European Commission). This has not stopped the export wave but has changed the strategy: BYD is building plants in Hungary and Thailand, Chery in Spain, Geely scaling Volvo and Polestar globally, and SAIC exploring local MG production in Europe.
See full export-vs-domestic breakdown patterns in the China dashboard.