According to the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), from January to March 2026, China's NEV exports reached 954,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 120%, highlighting China's leading position in the global NEV market.

Strong overall auto export performance, rising competitiveness of Chinese brands

In the first quarter, China's total auto exports reached 2.226 million units, up 56.7% year-on-year. Among them:

• NEV exports stood at 954,000 units, up 120% year-on-year, accounting for 42.8% of total exports;
  
• Conventional fuel vehicle exports reached 1.271 million units, up 29.9% year-on-year.
  

Looking at March alone, auto exports reached 875,000 units, up 30.2% month-on-month and 72.7% year-on-year, demonstrating a stable growth trend.

Domestic adjustment vs. overseas growth: deepening global footprint of Chinese brands

Although the domestic market has seen a slowdown in growth due to factors such as policy adjustments, Chinese auto brands continue to break through in international markets and strengthen their competitiveness with innovative technology and high-quality products. The CAAM analysis points out that as the industrial chain fully recovers, China's auto exports show strong resilience, particularly in the NEV sector, where Chinese brands are emerging as global market leaders.

Amid the wave of transformation and upgrading in the global automotive industry, China's NEVs are accelerating their international expansion, further consolidating their industry-leading advantages and injecting strong momentum into the high-quality development of China's foreign trade.