Gasgoo Munich- Data from Gasgoo Automotive Institute shows China's passenger car exports continued their global expansion in the first eight months of 2026. Russia, Brazil, the UK, Belgium, and Australia led the pack, while Brazil, Belgium, the UK, and Australia also stood out in the new energy sector. Germany, Italy, Thailand, and South Korea posted rapid gains. Yet performance varied significantly by destination: while some markets surged, overall shipments to Mexico and the United Arab Emirates declined year on year.
Top 10 Destinations for China's Passenger Car Exports
No. 1 Russia: 619,165 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, climbing 126.8% year on year.
No. 2 Brazil: 457,027 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, surging 152.4% year on year.
No. 3 UK: 359,688 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, jumping 89.1% year on year.
No. 4 Belgium: 315,679 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, rising 52.8% year on year.
No. 5 Australia: 296,501 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, increasing 81.4% year on year.
No. 6 Mexico: 231,785 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, slipping 18.9% year on year.
No. 7 Italy: 199,366 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, soaring 116.7% year on year.
No. 8 UAE: 184,908 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, falling 38.3% year on year.
No. 9 Spain: 163,441 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, climbing 62.2% year on year.
No. 10 Malaysia: 139,507 units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, up 33.8% year on year.
Russia held onto the top spot from January through August, extending its lead from the first seven months with 619,165 units — a 126.8% surge that put it more than 160,000 units ahead of runner-up Brazil. Brazil followed with 457,027 units, a 152.4% spike that marked the fastest pace among the top five. The UK rounded out the top three at 359,688 units, up 89.1%, while Belgium and Australia took fourth and fifth with 315,679 and 296,501 units respectively. All five markets surpassed 290,000 units, with Russia and Brazil driving the bulk of the growth.
Europe remains a critical destination. The UK, Belgium, Italy, and Spain all cracked the top ten. Italy's exports jumped 116.7% to 199,366 units, trailing only Brazil and Russia in growth rate among the leaders, while Spain reached 163,441 units, up 62.2%. Belgium held firm in fourth with over 310,000 units shipped. Expansion across Europe is uneven, however, as performance diverges based on local demand, brand positioning, and market conditions.
In contrast, Mexico and the UAE were the only markets in the top ten to see declines. Shipments to Mexico slipped 18.9% to 231,785 units. The Middle East, pressured by geopolitical tensions, entered a period of adjustment, with exports to the UAE plunging 38.3% to 184,908 units. Overall, China's export landscape is broadening, yet regional momentum remains fragmented.
Top 10 Destinations for China's New Energy Passenger Car Exports
No. 1 Brazil: 327,081 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, surging 163.4% year on year.
No. 2 Belgium: 303,829 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, up 52.5% year on year.
No. 3 UK: 268,528 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, rising 105.0% year on year.
No. 4 Australia: 222,283 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, jumping 175.2% year on year.
No. 5 Thailand: 120,286 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, climbing 103.1% year on year.
No. 6 Germany: 114,308 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, up 140.6% year on year.
No. 7 South Korea: 107,954 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, increasing 112.7% year on year.
No. 8 Italy: 106,666 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, soaring 215.2% year on year.
No. 9 Spain: 105,276 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, up 79.4% year on year.
No. 10 UAE: 73,340 new energy units shipped in the first eight months of 2026, edging up 5.4% year on year.
Brazil dominated the new energy rankings from January to August with 327,081 units, a 163.4% surge. Belgium followed at 303,829 units, though its 52.5% growth lagged behind Brazil's breakneck pace. The UK and Australia took third and fourth with 268,528 and 222,283 units respectively, the latter posting a 175.2% jump. These four markets — all above 220,000 units — form the core of China's NEV export push, with Brazil and Australia delivering the most explosive gains.
Europe claimed multiple spots on the NEV leaderboard, with Belgium, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain all making the cut. Germany shipped 114,308 units, up 140.6%, while Italy emerged as the fastest-growing market in the top ten, soaring 215.2% to 106,666 units. Spain followed with 105,276 units. Asia also showed strength: Thailand and South Korea ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, with both markets more than doubling their imports year on year.
While all top ten markets for new energy vehicles posted growth, the scale and pace varied widely. Brazil, Belgium, the UK, and Australia form the leading tier, supported by robust expansion across Europe and solid demand in Thailand and South Korea. The UAE, at 73,340 units, grew just 5.4%. In short, China's NEV exports are finding support across Europe, South America, Oceania, and Asia, signaling a shift toward multi-regional growth drivers.
