According to data compiled by the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, the regional distribution of Chinese independent automakers' passenger vehicle exports in March 2026 showed clear differentiation among BYD, Geely Holding, and Chery Holding. BYD continued to rely on Central and South America as its core growth engine, Geely pursued balanced expansion across diversified markets such as the CIS and Southeast Asia, while Chery maintained a leading position through its dual-core presence in the EU+UK+EFTA region and the CIS.
The distinct regional strengths of the three automakers not only reflect the diverging globalization strategies of Chinese auto brands, but also highlight the shift in China's passenger vehicle exports from pure volume growth toward deeper structural expansion across overseas markets.
The regional export destination ranking of BYD passenger vehicles (Jan. - Mar. 2026) is as follows:
Central & South America: In March 2026, BYD exported 41,037 units to the region.
EU+UK+EFTA: In March 2026, BYD exported 27,039 units to the region.
Rest of Asia: In March 2026, BYD exported 8,707 units to the region.
Southeast Asia: In March 2026, BYD exported 8,614 units to the region.
Middle East: In March 2026, BYD exported 5,745 units to the region.
Oceania: In March 2026, BYD exported 5,325 units to the region.
CIS Countries: In March 2026, BYD exported 3,257 units to the region.
Africa: In March 2026, BYD exported 2,202 units to the region.
Rest of Europe: In March 2026, BYD exported 332 units to the region.
North America: In March 2026, BYD exported 255 units to the region.
According to data compiled by the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, BYD's global passenger vehicle exports in March 2026 showed a clear concentration in core markets. Central and South America ranked first with 41,037 units, driven by strong growth in markets such as Brazil, while the EU+UK+EFTA region followed with 27,039 units, reflecting continued momentum in Europe's mature NEV markets.
Rest of Asia and Southeast Asia recorded very similar export volumes at 8,707 units and 8,614 units, respectively, maintaining stable export demand as geographically close and traditionally important markets. The Middle East and Oceania followed with 5,745 units and 5,325 units, representing steadily developing markets where demand and NEV acceptance continue to grow.
Meanwhile, exports to the CIS and Africa reached 3,257 units and 2,202 units, respectively, indicating that both regions are still in the early stages of market penetration and channel development.
Notably, exports to the Rest of Europe and North America remained limited at 332 units and 255 units, respectively. Affected by geopolitical tensions, trade conditions, and policy uncertainties, BYD has maintained a relatively cautious approach in these markets.
Overall, BYD's export strategy remains centered on Central & South America and the EU+UK+EFTA region. The former provides stable volume growth and risk diversification, while the latter supports brand positioning and technology recognition. As BYD further strengthens its advantages in these core markets and improves growth resilience in regions such as the Middle East, its global leadership in electrification is expected to become even more solid.
The regional export destination ranking of Geely Holding passenger vehicles (Jan. - Mar. 2026) is as follows:
CIS Countries: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 17,037 units to the region.
Southeast Asia: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 11,353 units to the region.
EU+UK+EFTA: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 10,682 units to the region.
Central & South America: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 10,054 units to the region.
Africa: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 7,863 units to the region.
Rest of Asia: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 3,547 units to the region.
Oceania: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 2,396 units to the region.
North America: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 1,799 units to the region.
Rest of Europe: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 188 units to the region.
Middle East: In March 2026, Geely Holding exported 96 units to the region.
From the March 2026 export data, Geely Holding's global layout showed a pattern of CIS leadership, balanced multi-region expansion, and steady growth in emerging markets. The CIS region ranked first with 17,037 units, remaining Geely's most important overseas market. This reflects the company's long-term efforts in product localization, channel development, and localized operations, which have helped establish a solid market position in the region.
Southeast Asia, the EU+UK+EFTA region, and Central & South America ranked second, third, and fourth respectively, each with exports exceeding 10,000 units, highlighting Geely's steady expansion and increasingly balanced growth across multiple regions. Africa, Rest of Asia, Oceania, and North America formed the middle tier, with exports at the thousand-unit level, serving as stable secondary growth markets. Meanwhile, exports to the Rest of Europe remained limited at just 188 units, indicating relatively low market penetration and significant room for future expansion.
Notably, Geely Holding exported only 96 units to the Middle East in March, likely affected by geopolitical tensions and quarter-end demand fluctuations.
Overall, Geely is steadily advancing its globalization strategy through a balanced approach of strengthening its presence in emerging markets while expanding into mature markets. If the company further enhances region-specific product strategies and improves coordination across its overseas production and supply network, the stability and growth potential of its export structure are expected to strengthen further.
The regional export destination ranking of Chery Holding passenger vehicles (Jan. - Mar. 2026) is as follows:
EU+UK+EFTA: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 38,111 units to the region.
CIS Countries: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 34,154 units to the region.
Central & South America: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 21,149 units to the region.
Middle East: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 11,714 units to the region.
Africa: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 10,686 units to the region.
Southeast Asia: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 10,359 units to the region.
North America: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 6,140 units to the region.
Rest of Asia: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 3,746 units to the region.
Oceania: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 3,536 units to the region.
Rest of Europe: In March 2026, Chery Holding exported 420 units to the region.
Chery Holding's global layout has formed a "dual-core market with multi-region support" structure, featuring clear regional tiers and strong resilience. The EU+UK+EFTA region ranked first with 38,111 units, becoming Chery's largest overseas market and highlighting the growing recognition of its products and brand in Europe. The region is increasingly serving as a key growth engine for Chery's exports. The CIS followed closely with 34,154 units, forming another major pillar of similar scale. Together, the two regions contributed more than 70,000 units, reinforcing Chery's dual-core global export structure.
Central & South America recorded exports exceeding 20,000 units, while the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia each surpassed 10,000 units, together forming Chery's second growth curve across overseas markets. This diversified and multi-regional export structure not only provides stable volume support, but also helps mitigate risks from policy shifts and currency fluctuations in any single market, highlighting the resilience of Chery's global expansion strategy.
Notably, exports to North America, the rest of Asia, and Oceania reached 6,140 units, 3,746 units, and 3,536 units, respectively. Although this tier lags behind the top two, all three markets are showing steady growth. Exports to the rest of Europe, at 420 units, rank last, reflecting that this region is still in the early stages of channel development and brand penetration, with scale effects yet to materialize.
Overall, Chery's globalization strategy is accelerating toward a model driven by strong leadership in Europe alongside coordinated multi-regional expansion. If the company can further deepen localized operations across different markets and replicate its compliance and electrification experience gained in Europe into emerging regions, its competitiveness in the global passenger vehicle export market is expected to strengthen further.
