19/05/2023 (Chongqing, China) - Recent reports indicate that China has surpassed Japan to become the world's top auto exporter, driven by increased demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and a rise in deliveries to Russia. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers revealed that China's automobile exports for the first quarter of this year experienced a substantial 58% surge compared to the same period last year, with shipments reaching 1.07 million units. In contrast, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association reported a more modest 6% year-on-year increase, with Japan exporting 950,000 vehicles during the same quarter.
These findings highlight China's position as a dominant player in the global auto market. The passenger vehicle industry group predicts that Chinese auto exports will continue to climb, with an estimated 30% increase expected for the full calendar year, resulting in 4 million units.
The shift toward EVs has been a driving force behind China's emergence as a major auto exporter. Notably, exports of new energy vehicles, including EVs, saw a remarkable 93% surge in the first quarter compared to the previous year, with 380,000 units exported. These new energy vehicles accounted for approximately 40% of China's total auto exports.
According to reports from Chinese media, Tesla's China division emerged as the leading exporter of new energy vehicles, shipping 90,000 units. Other key players in the market include SAIC Motor's passenger vehicle unit, with 50,000 units, and BYD, with 30,000 vehicles.
Belgium, Australia, and Thailand were identified as the primary destinations for Chinese-made new energy vehicles, signifying Chinese automakers' strategic expansion into Southeast Asia, a region traditionally dominated by Japanese automakers.
The data also revealed Russia as the leading export destination for Chinese-made vehicles in the first quarter, with shipments more than tripling compared to the previous year, totaling 140,000 units. This surge follows the withdrawal of global automakers such as Toyota Motor and Volkswagen from the Russian market after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Chinese automakers, including Chery Automobile and Great Wall Motor, swiftly filled the void left by their global counterparts.
Furthermore, the reports highlighted a substantial increase in the export of trucks from China to Russia, raising concerns about their potential military use. In the first quarter, truck exports to Russia rose nearly sevenfold compared to the previous year. Mexico, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia were among the other prominent export destinations for Chinese-made vehicles.
Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory played a pivotal role in China's export success, serving as a major hub for vehicles destined for various markets, including Europe and Japan. In the first quarter, Tesla's exports from China grew by 20% compared to the previous year. Since its establishment in 2019, the Gigafactory has significantly expanded its production capacity, with plans to increase it further to accommodate up to 1.75 million units.
The reports also indicated that in 2021, exports from the Shanghai Gigafactory constituted nearly 40% of the total production volume, marking a notable increase from the previous year. The factory's recent commencement of Model Y sport utility vehicle production for export to Canada further solidifies its status as a key player in the global auto market.
These developments underline China's rapid rise in the global automotive industry, with the country now taking the lead as the world's largest auto exporter. As China continues to invest in EV technology and expand its manufacturing capabilities, its influence on the international automotive landscape is set to grow even further.