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CPCA's Cui Dongshu: China's auto exports reached 8.63 million units in Jan-Sep, up 52% year-on-year...
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Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, released data on October 23 showing that China's automobile exports from January to September 2026 totaled 8.63 million vehicles, up 52% year on year. Among them, exports in September were 1.18 million vehicles, up 55% year on year and 13% month on month. These data continue the growth trend of China's automobile exports in recent years.
Since surpassing the one-million-unit level in 2021, China's automobile exports have entered a stage of sustained high growth. In 2021, they grew 102% year on year; from 2022 to 2023, year-on-year growth remained above 50%. From 2024 to 2025, the growth rate fell back to around 30%. In the first three quarters of 2026, exports reached 8.63 million vehicles, with year-on-year growth rising again to 52%.
Cui Dongshu said that the main drivers of exports this year remain high oil prices, improved competitiveness of Chinese products, and continued market growth in Global South countries. High oil prices provide support for demand in some markets. The competitiveness of Chinese products and market growth in Global South countries together drive the expansion of export scale.
New energy vehicles have become an important driving force in the export structure. In September 2026, China exported 612,000 new energy vehicles, up 104% year on year. In the January-September period, cumulative exports were 4.07 million vehicles, up 75% year on year. In September, NEV exports rose 23% month on month from August.
Looking at the single month of September, China's automobile exports were 1.18 million vehicles, up 55% year on year and 13% month on month. In the same period, new energy vehicle exports were 612,000 vehicles, with a year-on-year growth rate of 104%. The growth rate of new energy vehicle exports was higher than the overall growth rate of automobile exports.
The export scale of 8.63 million vehicles in the first three quarters reflects that China's automobile exports are still continuing to grow. Market growth in Global South countries provides automakers with new incremental space. Improved product competitiveness also continues to support the performance of Chinese automobiles in overseas markets.
Cui Dongshu expects that China's automobile exports for the full year will reach 12 million vehicles. If this target is achieved, full-year exports will maintain growth. The rapid growth of new energy vehicle exports will remain an important indicator for observing the overseas performance of Chinese automobiles.
