Key facts
- Chinese automakers are projected to achieve a record 12 million overseas sales in 2026.
- Chery Automobile aims to export over 1.5 million vehicles in 2026, following 1.3 million in 2025.
- BYD Co. Ltd. targets 1.3 million overseas vehicle sales in 2026.
- Leapmotor expects its first overseas plant in Spain to start production in October.
- Geely plans to increase exports by 52% to 640,000 units in 2026.
- Mexico's tariffs on Chinese autos will rise to 50% in 2026, and Brazil's will reach 35% for NEVs by July 2026.
Chinese automakers are accelerating their global expansion, with projections indicating a record 12 million overseas sales in 2026. This push is driven by a "go global" strategy aimed at offsetting a cooling domestic market, where growth is estimated to be around 1% year-on-year from 2025.
Leading companies such as Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., China's top auto exporter, aim to ship over 1.5 million vehicles abroad in 2026, building on a 33.2% increase in exports to 1.3 million units in 2025. Overseas markets accounted for nearly half of Chery's sales volume and revenue in 2025, significantly contributing to its profit growth. Chery operates 10 manufacturing plants internationally, including in Spain and Brazil.
BYD Co. Ltd. is also expanding its international footprint, targeting 1.3 million overseas vehicle sales by 2026, a 24% rise from its 2025 sales outside China. The company is increasing localized production with plants in Thailand and Brazil, and plans for new facilities in Hungary and Turkey. Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd. expects its first overseas plant in Spain to commence production in October, with a target of 100,000 to 150,000 overseas sales in 2026.
Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. aims to increase exports by 52% to 640,000 units in 2026, planning to leverage existing local capacity and partnerships, such as its collaboration with Renault SA in Brazil. The company's chairman noted a global surplus in auto production capacity.
New energy vehicles (NEVs) are a key driver of China's export growth. In 2025, NEV exports reached 2.61 million units, doubling from the previous year and representing over 37% of total exports. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) expects NEVs to continue driving exports, projecting a total of 7.4 million vehicle exports for 2026, up from 7.09 million in 2025.
However, rising tariffs present a challenge. Mexico has increased its tariffs on Chinese autos to 50% in 2026, and Brazil will implement a 35% rate for NEVs by July 2026.