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Chinese auto export surge 2026

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2026-08-13 06:41 UTC → 2026-08-13 09:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In early August 2026, Chery announced it had sold over 20 million vehicles worldwide, marking the first Chinese automaker to reach that milestone. The company highlighted a 71.5% rise in exports during the first half of the year, with an average of one vehicle leaving China every 17 seconds and strong growth in Europe, especially the United Kingdom. Data for July 2026 confirmed a sharp rise in overseas sales across the sector. China’s passenger car exports reached 918,000 units in July, with domestic brands accounting for over 84% of that volume. Chery led the export rankings with 202,533 vehicles, a 70.1% year-on-year increase. BYD followed with 179,841 units, a 124.3% increase, while Geely recorded the fastest growth among the top six firms with a 202% jump to 106,663 vehicles. By mid-August, reports indicated that China's automobile exports have exceeded one million units for two consecutive months. Total vehicle exports in July reached 1.043 million units, an 81.3% increase compared to the previous year. New energy vehicles (NEVs) served as the primary driver, with July NEV exports totaling 553,000 units—a 145.5% year-on-year surge. For the second month running, NEVs accounted for more than 50% of China's total vehicle exports. Global electric vehicle (EV) demand also rose for the fifth consecutive month in July, reaching 1.85 million units, a 9% increase year-over-year. While North American sales dropped 27% to 140,000 units following the removal of federal tax credits in the United States, Europe emerged as a primary growth engine. European sales climbed 33% to 450,000 units, supported by the expansion of subsidy schemes in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In Western Europe, Chinese brands captured 14.2% of the battery-electric vehicle market despite EU tariffs. Additionally, EV registrations in Malaysia surged by 148.46% year-on-year in July.

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