The resilience of China's auto industry in the global market is evolving from 'product exports' to 'system expansion.' This transformation is reflected not only in sales growth but also stems from a comprehensive, integrated approach encompassing overseas factory construction, technology transfer, and brand development, laying the foundation for sustainable global competitiveness.

Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers shows that in the first half of this year, my country exported 3.083 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 10.4%. Amidst the ongoing impact of multiple international uncertainties, this breakthrough fully demonstrates the resilience and competitive resilience of China's auto industry in the global market.

A representative from GAC Group stated that overseas markets have become a key growth driver for the company's sales. While expanding exports, GAC is actively promoting localized production and expanding its global ecosystem, adopting a 'small-batch, fast-paced' approach. The company has already established a presence in five key regions: the Middle East, the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.

A representative from BYD stated that BYD's overseas sales exceeded 470,000 vehicles in the first half of this year, exceeding last year's total and representing a year-on-year increase of over 130%. BYD has overtaken Tesla in markets like Italy, Spain, Turkey, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, and its brand reputation has steadily improved.

Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, believes that overseas factory construction should be combined with localized operations. Companies should establish a stable supply chain system in the local market, partner with high-quality suppliers, and introduce domestic suppliers of core components. They should ensure manufacturing quality by training local employees, providing reasonable salaries, and dispatching key personnel to guide production. They should establish a policy research and government communication mechanism to secure policy support. While strictly controlling the scope of core technology transfer, they should also develop a unified brand strategy and tailor it to local culture.

Expanding overseas markets has become a trend.

In the first half of this year, China's automotive global expansion accelerated significantly. Major automakers such as GAC Group, BYD, Changan Automobile, and Xpeng Motors have invested in factories across the globe, transitioning from solely exporting complete vehicles to a new phase of 'localized production + global service.' This trend is not only necessary for sales expansion but also a crucial measure to address trade barriers, reduce transportation costs, and stay aligned with market demand.

Xpeng Motors recently launched its flagship model, the Xpeng X9, in Indonesia and announced that production of the right-hand-drive version will begin in Indonesia in July. This marks not only a significant step in its Southeast Asian expansion but also a crucial step in its globalization strategy. As of June this year, Xpeng Motors has entered over 40 countries and regions worldwide, continuing to expand its market presence.

On May 16, Changan Automobile's Rayong plant in Thailand officially commenced production, marking the 28.59 millionth vehicle produced globally. Chairman Zhu Huarong stated that the company plans to achieve global sales of over 5 million vehicles by 2030, with sales of 3 million intelligent, connected new energy vehicles.

Following its 'Ocean of Inclusiveness' globalization plan, Changan Automobile is accelerating its expansion into five key regional markets outside of China. It plans to build a total of 20 overseas complete vehicle and KD (knockdown/knockdown) plants. Nine KD plants and one complete vehicle plant are currently completed and operational. The completion of the Thailand plant marks the initial formation of Changan Automobile's production network in Southeast Asia.

BYD's overseas expansion is also progressing rapidly. Data shows that BYD's overseas sales exceeded 470,000 vehicles in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of 132%. According to the plan, overseas sales for the entire year of 2025 are expected to exceed 800,000 vehicles. Currently, its new energy vehicle models are available in over 110 countries and regions across six continents.

In terms of production capacity, BYD has established production bases in Thailand, Brazil, Hungary, Uzbekistan, and other locations. Among them, the new plant in Camaçari, Brazil, formerly Ford's gasoline-powered vehicle production base in the United States, will soon be transitioned to producing BYD electric vehicles. The Szeged plant in southern Hungary is expected to begin production by the end of 2025 and will launch 12 new energy vehicle models, primarily mid-range and plug-in hybrid models.

'Last July, our factory in Thailand commenced production; in early July of this year, we delivered our 90,000th new energy vehicle in Thailand. Simultaneously, the first vehicle rolled off the assembly line at our Brazilian passenger car plant, making this our largest overseas vehicle manufacturing base,' said a BYD representative.

GAC Group is also accelerating the implementation of its global production and service network. On June 12, GAC Indonesia's smart factory was completed and put into operation in Jakarta. Production capacity will gradually expand from 20,000 to 50,000 vehicles, serving the ASEAN and global markets. On June 25, GAC International opened a flagship experience center and battery service center in Thailand, promoting the local implementation of its dual-track 'sales + energy services' strategy.

A GAC Group representative stated that the company is seizing the window of opportunity as China's auto industry shifts from exporting complete vehicles to overseas production, accelerating its '1551' internationalization strategy. Since 2023, the company has launched KD production in Nigeria, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries, and is actively expanding into markets such as Brazil and Egypt. In July of this year, GAC Group officially entered the UK market, marking a significant step in its European expansion. At the upcoming Munich Motor Show, GAC Group will officially launch sales of the AION V model in Europe and showcase the new UT. More European market plans will be announced in the future.

Globalization has a long way to go.

China's new energy vehicle overseas expansion is entering a new phase. In the past, automakers primarily focused on exporting complete vehicles; now, overseas factory construction, technology transfer, channel expansion, and even capital operations are becoming key levers for them to compete for international market share. Beyond the surge in overseas investment and factory establishment, some companies are leveraging the capital market to accelerate their global expansion, with SERES being a prime example.

On March 31st of this year, SERES officially announced the launch of its H-share offering, aiming to list on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company stated that the H-share issuance is not only a financing measure but also a key step in deepening its globalization strategy. Proceeds will be used for new energy vehicle technology research and development, overseas market expansion, and supply chain optimization, aiming to enhance overall competitiveness through an international capital platform.

The prospectus reveals that SERES's overseas strategic objectives are clear and diverse. On the one hand, the company plans to promote the localization of its high-end brands overseas, developing international models that meet the regulations and consumer preferences of different regions. On the other hand, it will accelerate its integration with high-quality global industrial resources and explore various approaches, including self-built factories, reverse joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions, to enhance its localized production capabilities in various markets. Furthermore, leveraging its technological advantages in extended-range systems, SERES also hopes to enter the parts export market, capitalizing on the growing global demand for extended-range powertrains and exploring more overseas expansion paths.

On the market side, SERES is not content with simply entering overseas markets, but instead emphasizes deepening its presence and continuously improving its service capabilities. The company proposes to build a sales and service network characterized by 'front-line leadership and multi-point linkage.' By increasing channel density and reaching high-end users, it will establish a refined retail system from headquarters to regional locations and then to retail stores, thereby strengthening its retail capabilities. To date, its new energy vehicles have entered 62 countries across Europe, America, and Africa, and have established a stable presence in Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

According to public data, by 2024, the Asian market will account for over 40% of China's total new energy vehicle exports. Thanks to policy support and price advantages in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Chinese brands have accelerated their presence in markets like Indonesia, Thailand, and the UAE, achieving breakthrough sales. At the same time, the resurgence of trade protectionism and frequent policy adjustments across various countries have also posed challenges to exports. The UK has postponed its ban on fuel-powered vehicles to 2035, Germany has eliminated subsidies for electric vehicle purchases, and the US has relaxed its emissions and electric vehicle sales targets. Many European and American automakers have also begun slowing down their electric vehicle production plans. This means that Chinese automakers must not only cope with the uncertainty of market demand but also adapt to a constantly changing policy environment. Faced with this situation, industry experts recommend that Chinese automakers focus on products, partnerships, and services to build a more resilient global ecosystem.

Zhang Xinyuan, research director at the Kefangde Think Tank, believes that prioritizing the development of right-hand-drive models and tropical climate adaptability should address market differences. Regarding partnership models, it is important to select leading local dealer groups and leverage joint ventures to mitigate policy risks. For after-sales service, a hybrid network of '4S dealerships + mobile services' can be established, with on-site maintenance promoted in emerging markets. At the same time, a dedicated regulatory certification team should be established, and certification work for target markets should begin 18 months in advance to ensure a manageable entry process.

Wang Peng also pointed out that to ensure sustainable overseas business growth and risk resilience, automakers must forge a synergistic approach in three areas: product adaptation, partner selection, and after-sales network. On the product side, performance, configuration, and design should be adjusted based on thorough market research; on the partnership side, local partners with resources and credibility should be identified and long-term evaluation mechanisms established. On the after-sales side, service outlets should be strengthened, staffed with professional personnel and sufficient spare parts to ensure rapid response capabilities. On the regulatory side, it is necessary to continuously monitor policy trends in target markets and establish risk warning and response mechanisms.