China Auto Exports Surge to $112.7 Billion in 2025, Driven by EVs and Global Shipping Expansion

11/11/2025

In a powerful demonstration of its industrial transformation, China’s automotive exports surged to $112.7 billion in the first ten months of 2025, setting a new record with 14.3% year-on-year growth according to customs data. This remarkable achievement comes as Chinese automakers expand their global reach through sophisticated shipping networks and strategic market diversification.

The export value of 798.39 billion yuan ($112.7 billion) underscores China’s position as the world’s largest vehicle-exporting nation, with the automotive sector outperforming the broader manufacturing average and becoming a cornerstone of the country’s export economy.

Driving Forces Behind the Export Boom

The Electric Vehicle Revolution

New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), including electric and plug-in hybrids, have become the primary engine of China’s export growth. During the first nine months of 2025, NEVs represented over 60% of total vehicle exports through Shanghai Port alone, highlighting the global shift toward electrified transportation.

This transition is supported by China’s extensive EV manufacturing ecosystem and strong supply chains, enabling automakers to produce vehicles that compete on both price and technology in international markets. Chinese brands have successfully capitalized on tightening emission standards worldwide, particularly in European markets.

Leading Automakers and Their Global Reach

China’s automotive export success is driven by a mix of established players and emerging champions:

• Chery Auto: Maintained its position as export leader with substantial shipments to Latin America, Europe, and Southeast Asia

• BYD Auto: Recorded explosive 235.5% growth in European exports while establishing manufacturing facilities in Brazil and Hungary

• SAIC Motor: Consistently ranked among top exporters to Europe with over 113,000 units shipped in the first five months of 2025

• Geely Auto and Great Wall Motor: Continued strong performance across diverse international markets

These manufacturers have benefited from strategic partnerships with port operators and shipping companies to streamline their export logistics. For instance, BYD’s deepened collaboration with Shenzhen Port Group has enhanced its export capacity through specialized vehicle terminals.

Shipping Infrastructure: Backbone of the Export Boom

Shanghai Port – The Global Volume Champion

As the world’s premier automotive shipping hub, Shanghai Port handled over 3.6 million finished vehicles in the past year, with its Haitong International Automobile Terminal operating 289 shipping routes serving more than 130 countries. Between January and September 2025, the port facilitated the export of 2.05 million vehicles – accounting for more than one-third of China’s total vehicle exports during this period.

The port’s advanced infrastructure includes dedicated RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) berths capable of handling 7,000 daily vehicle movements, with digital VIN tagging systems that significantly reduce export wait times. Its “river-sea intermodal transit” model allows vehicles manufactured inland along the Yangtze River to be transported via waterway to Shanghai, streamlining logistics for automakers like Chery, 95% of whose vehicles utilize this method.

Emerging Ports and Specialized Vessels

Beyond Shanghai, China has developed a network of specialized automotive export hubs:

• Shenzhen’s Xiaomo International Logistics Port: Rapidly evolved into a key RoRo hub with 13 domestic and international routes launched since its opening, handling nearly 100,000 vehicles

• Fuzhou Port: Enhanced its export capacity with new direct routes to the Persian Gulf via COSCO SHIPPING’s specialized car carriers

The vessels themselves represent cutting-edge maritime technology. The “ORCHID LEADER” – a 7,000 CEU (car equivalent units) dual-fuel car carrier that recently serviced Fuzhou Port – exemplifies this trend with its LNG power system reducing environmental impact while transporting thousands of vehicles to Middle Eastern markets.

Global Destinations: Mapping China’s Automotive Reach

*Table: China’s Top Vehicle Export Destinations (January-May 2025)*

Regional Market Dynamics

Southeast Asia & Emerging Economies

Southeast Asian markets have shown remarkable growth, with Malaysia imports increasing 43.7% and Thailand and Indonesia implementing favorable NEV policies including tax exemptions for EV-related industries. Chinese automakers are accelerating their presence in the region through local production facilities, with XPENG beginning operations at its first overseas plant in Indonesia in July 2025.

European Expansion

European markets continue to be a strategic focus for Chinese automakers, particularly for premium EV models. Belgium serves as a key distribution hub, receiving over 119,000 NEVs in the first five months of 2025. The establishment of BYD’s European headquarters and R&D center in Budapest underscores the long-term commitment to this market.

Latin America’s Mixed Landscape

While Mexico has emerged as the top destination with 189,273 units imported from January to May 2025, other Latin American markets show varied performance. Brazil, though still showing a year-on-year decline, is seeing increased investment including BYD’s first locally assembled vehicles at its Camaçari plant.

Future Outlook and Strategic Implications

Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the record performance, Chinese automakers face evolving challenges in the global marketplace:

• Trade restrictions and potential tariffs in key markets

• Softening global demand in some developed economies

• Intensifying competition from established international brands

• Logistical complexities of maintaining efficient supply chains

However, the underlying trends continue to favor China’s automotive export machine. The country’s manufacturing scale, technological advancement in EV production, and diversifying market presence provide strong fundamentals for continued global expansion.

The Road Ahead

As 2025 progresses, industry analysts expect full-year auto exports to remain above 2024 levels, though potentially at a moderated pace. The strategic focus on higher-value production, environmentally friendly transportation, and deepened global integration positions China’s automotive industry for sustained leadership in the evolving global automotive landscape.

The ships, ports, and logistics networks that enabled this record export performance will continue to evolve, with increased investment in green shipping technologies, digital management systems, and specialized infrastructure ensuring that China’s automotive ambitions remain firmly on course to destinations worldwide.

This analysis is based on official customs data, industry reports, and shipping records through October 2025.

References

1. China Customs Statistics, “Vehicle Export Data January-October 2025,” November 2025.

2. Shanghai Port Authority, “Automobile Throughput and Export Statistics Q1-Q3 2025,” October 2025.

3. China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), “New Energy Vehicle Export Report,” September 2025.

4. International Automotive Shipping Review, “Global RoRo Shipping Capacity Analysis,” August 2025.

5. BYD Global Operations Report, “European Market Expansion and Manufacturing Investment,” July 2025.

6. Shenzhen Port Group, “Xiaomo International Logistics Port Operational Data,” October 2025.

7. COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers, “Vessel Deployment and Route Expansion Announcement,” September 2025.

8. ASEAN Automotive Federation, “Southeast Asian Vehicle Import Statistics,” November 2025.

9. European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), “EV Market Share and Import Analysis,” October 2025.

10. Latin American Automotive Association, “Regional Vehicle Trade Patterns,” September 2025.