Chinese automobiles going global: a global transformation from product output to system output

In 2024, China's automobile exports reached a historic breakthrough of 6.41 million units, maintaining its position as the world's top exporter. This data reflects the strategic transformation of China's automobile industry from a "manufacturing power" to a "global system exporter". Driven by multiple factors such as policy support, technological innovation, and localized production, Chinese automobiles are taking new energy as a pioneer to reshape the competitive landscape in the global market.

1.Data leadership: New energy drives export structure upgrade

In 2024, China's automobile exports reached 117.4 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 23%, of which 2.01 million new energy vehicles were exported, accounting for 38% of the global new energy vehicle trade volume. This growth is not only reflected in scale, but also in structural optimization: the export of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles surged by 128% year-on-year, becoming an important strategy to avoid EU tariffs. Top companies such as BYD and Chery have performed particularly well, with BYD's overseas sales exceeding 470000 vehicles in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 132%. Its pure electric vehicle sales in the Japanese market have surpassed Toyota for the first time; Chery has remained the champion of Chinese brand passenger car exports for 22 consecutive years with an export volume of 1.144 million vehicles.

2.Strategic Upgrade: From Vehicle Trade to Stereoscopic Competition

Faced with trade barriers in the international market, China's automotive industry is moving from "product going global" to "system going global". Projects such as BYD Brazil factory, Xiaopeng Indonesia localized production base, and Changan Thailand Rayong factory have successively landed, marking the substantive stage of "manufacturing localization". This transformation not only avoids tariff risks, but also deeply integrates into the local economy: Chery has created over 3000 job opportunities at its Annapolis factory in Brazil, and its Tiggo 8 and other models have become benchmarks in the South American market through localized adaptation; Great Wall Motors has established a KD factory in Thailand, achieving a localization procurement rate of over 60% for its components.

The simultaneous promotion of technology output and brand deepening. Xiaopeng Motors is positioned as a "technology company" to enter Europe, with its G9 model ranking first among Chinese brands in the pure electric market with sales of over 40000 euros. Through cooperation with local governments to promote the opening of intelligent driving regulations, it paves the way for the release of future technological advantages; Lynk&Co has launched a "subscription based" business model in Europe, transforming cars from ownership goods to lifestyle carriers, with a brand premium rate increased to 18%. What is even more milestone is that Chinese cars have gained international authoritative recognition in terms of safety performance. In the 2025 Euro NCAP test, 13 Chinese made car models received a five-star rating, accounting for 46% of the total. Models such as the Lynk&Co 02 and the Jike 7X surpassed traditional brands such as Volkswagen and Audi in individual ratings for adult passenger protection and safety assistance systems.

3. Challenge and Breakthrough: Building a New Global Ecosystem

Despite remarkable achievements, Chinese automobiles still face multiple challenges when going global. Starting from 2024, the European Union will impose a 38% anti subsidy tax on Chinese electric vehicles, forcing car companies to adjust their product structure. The proportion of hybrid vehicle exports will increase from 12% in 2023 to 27% in 2024; Australia has recently raised safety standards for imported vehicles, resulting in a 15% increase in research and development costs for some car companies. In addition, the risk of supply chain decoupling has intensified, and the EU is pushing for new regulations such as "carbon footprint tracking" for battery raw materials, attempting to weaken China's industrial chain advantages.

In response, the Chinese automotive industry is building a new ecosystem through a "symbiotic win-win" strategy. At the policy level, the "Opinions on Supporting the Healthy Development of Trade Cooperation in New Energy Vehicles" jointly issued by 9 departments specifies 18 measures, including encouraging overseas research and development cooperation, optimizing the international logistics system, strengthening financial support, etc., to provide institutional guarantees for enterprises. At the industry chain level, Baolong Technology has collaborated with ThyssenKrupp Besiden to develop intelligent suspension systems, and Weishitong has launched an AI large model intelligent cockpit in conjunction with Volcano Engine. This "technology co research" model has enabled Chinese component companies to leap from second tier suppliers to first tier partners. Data shows that in 2024, China's automobile parts exports reached $105.61 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.8%, with key components accounting for over 40%. Core components such as braking systems and suspension systems were exported to traditional automotive powerhouses such as the United States and Germany.

4.Future outlook: From a major exporting country to a rule maker

Industry forecasts show that China's automobile exports are expected to exceed 7 million units by 2025 and approach 10 million units (including overseas production) by 2030, with component exports potentially reaching $120 billion. The achievement of this goal relies on a combination strategy of "localization of manufacturing, standardization of technology, and high-end branding": BYD plans to produce 12 new energy vehicle models in Hungary by 2025, covering the mid-range European market; Geely and Renault form a 'hybrid alliance' to share technology patents in response to EU carbon emission regulations.

The more profound impact is that Chinese automobiles are reshaping the global industry rules. When the Xiaopeng X9 was put into production as a right-hand drive model in Indonesia, and Chery revived its local brand Ebro in Spain, Chinese car companies were no longer simply product providers. Instead, they promoted the global automotive industry towards electrification and intelligence through technology output, standard setting, and ecological co construction. As Zhang Yongwei, Vice Chairman of the Global New Energy Vehicle Cooperation Organization, said, "The essence of China's automobile going global is to reconstruct the industrial value chain with the logic of new globalization.