According to data compiled by the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, China's passenger vehicle exports showed clear regional divergence across major global markets. In Europe, Chery led the market with 147,771 units exported, while SAIC PV and BYD formed a solid leading tier behind it. Emerging players such as Leapmotor and Smart Automobile also gained momentum and expanded rapidly.
In Southeast Asia, Geely ranked first, while several automakers—including Leapmotor and Jiangling Motor—posted strong double- and even triple-digit growth. Meanwhile, the North American market presented a mixed picture: SAIC-GM-Wuling retained its leading position, while SAIC-GM, Changan Ford, and Tesla continued to grow. In contrast, several Chinese domestic brands and Korean joint-venture automakers experienced notable declines amid a more challenging market environment.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Europe
Chery Auto: 147,771 units, up 264.0% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 134,229 units, up 52.5% year-on-year
BYD Auto: 98,315 units, up 29.7% year-on-year
Tesla: 49,850 units, up 18.0% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 40,552 units, up 63.6% year-on-year
Leapmotor: 38,240 units, up 313.6% year-on-year
Spotlight Automotive: 17,378 units, up 36.5% year-on-year
eGT: 14,031 units, up 50.8% year-on-year
Smart Automobile: 10,769 units, up 325.8% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 10,672 units, up 629.5% year-on-year
From January to April 2026, China's passenger vehicle exports to Europe maintained strong momentum, characterized by market leaders pulling further ahead and continued rapid expansion. Chery, SAIC PV, and BYD formed the leading tier, ranking first, second, and third with export volumes of 147,771 units, 134,229 units, and 98,315 units, respectively.
Among them, Chery remained the clear leader, posting an impressive 264.0% YoY increase and significantly widening its lead in the European market. The strong performance highlights the company's deepening market penetration and rapidly expanding distribution network across the region. SAIC PV sustained solid growth with a 52.5% increase, while BYD recorded a 29.7% gain, continuing to strengthen its foothold in Europe.
Tesla ranked fourth with 49,850 units exported, up 18.0% YoY. Growth moderated compared with previous periods, partly due to rising local production capacity in Europe. Geely and Leapmotor placed fifth and sixth with 40,552 units and 38,240 units, respectively. Notably, Leapmotor's exports surged 313.6%, underscoring the growing appeal of competitively priced EVs from emerging Chinese brands in Europe, while Geely also delivered robust growth of 63.6%.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Southeast Asia
Geely Auto: 46,418 units, up 87.6% year-on-year
BYD Auto: 32,351 units, down 25.0% year-on-year
Chery Auto: 24,466 units, up 18.2% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 9,432 units, down 1.4% year-on-year
Jiangling Motor: 8,658 units, up 69.0% year-on-year
Leapmotor: 8,143 units, up 320.0% year-on-year
Zhenyi Auto: 7,985 units, no year-on-year data
Tesla: 7,867 units, up 14.6% year-on-year
Great Wall Motor: 7,586 units, up 45.3% year-on-year
SAIC-GM-Wuling: 6,539 units, up 76.8% year-on-year
From January to April 2026, China's passenger vehicle exports to Southeast Asia showed increasingly divergent performance among leading automakers. Geely ranked first with 46,418 units exported, up 87.6% YoY, benefiting from its targeted market strategy and strong product-market fit across the region. BYD followed in second place with 32,351 units, although exports declined 25.0% YoY, indicating near-term pressure. Chery ranked third with 24,466 units and a moderate growth rate of 18.2%, maintaining stable export momentum. Changan placed fourth with exports totaling 9,432 units.
In terms of growth, several automakers posted impressive gains. Leapmotor led the field with a 320.0% YoY increase, making it the fastest-growing brand in the region. Jiangling Motor, Great Wall Motor, and SAIC-GM-Wuling recorded growth rates of 69.0%, 45.3%, and 76.8%, respectively, emerging as key contributors to export growth. Tesla also maintained steady expansion, with exports rising 14.6% YoY.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to North America
SAIC-GM-Wuling: 37,426 units, up 10.0% year-on-year
SAIC-GM: 17,932 units, up 62.1% year-on-year
Changan-Ford: 12,852 units, up 26.5% year-on-year
Chery Auto: 8,975 units, down 2.3% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 8,552 units, down 10.3% year-on-year
Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 4,732 units, down 56.6% year-on-year
Jiangling Motor: 4,266 units, up 33.7% year-on-year
GAC Trumpchi: 4,099 units, down 36.7% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 3,537 units, down 42.2% year-on-year
Tesla: 3,525 units, up 67.9% year-on-year
From January to April 2026, North America's market was characterized by the dominance of joint-venture brands and increasingly divergent growth trajectories. SAIC-GM-Wuling ranked first with 37,426 units exported, up 10.0% YoY, supported by its established mini-vehicle portfolio and steady demand in select North American markets. SAIC-GM followed with 17,932 units, posting a strong 62.1% increase and demonstrating the export potential of its GM-backed joint-venture operations. Changan-Ford ranked third with 12,852 units, up 26.5% YoY, maintaining solid growth momentum.
In terms of growth rates, Tesla stood out with a 67.9% YoY increase, although its export volume of 3,525 units placed it tenth on the list. Jiangling Motor also delivered steady growth of 33.7%, while SAIC-GM-Wuling and Changan Ford both achieved double-digit gains. By contrast, several Chinese brands and Korean joint-venture automakers faced headwinds in the region. Chery's exports declined 2.3% YoY, while Geely fell 10.3%. GAC Trumpchi, SAIC PV, and Jiangsu Yueda Kia recorded sharper declines of 36.7%, 42.2%, and 56.6%, respectively. Changes in Mexico-related trade policies following higher tariff measures were a key factor weighing on export performance across the market.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Central and South America
BYD Auto: 162,219 units, up 180.2% year-on-year
Chery Auto: 69,257 units, up 97.4% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 49,296 units, up 464.9% year-on-year
Great Wall Motor: 34,269 units, up 33.3% year-on-year
Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 20,861 units, up 30.4% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 16,987 units, up 358.7% year-on-year
Jiangling Motor: 15,519 units, up 117.8% year-on-year
JAC: 12,681 units, up 488.2% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 11,214 units, up 102.0% year-on-year
Tesla: 11,137 units, up 1219.5% year-on-year
From January to April 2026, China's passenger vehicle exports to Central and South America experienced broad-based and rapid growth across the board. Among the leading exporters, BYD ranked first with 162,219 units, up 180.2% YoY, highlighting the strong competitiveness of its NEV portfolio in the region. Chery placed second with 69,257 units and a 97.4% increase, continuing to benefit from its deep-rooted presence in local markets. Geely climbed to third with 49,296 units, posting an impressive 464.9% growth rate and demonstrating exceptional expansion momentum.
Several automakers recorded explosive growth and became key drivers of regional export expansion. Tesla led the growth rankings with a remarkable 1,219.5% YoY increase. JAC, Changan, and Geely followed with growth rates of 488.2%, 358.7%, and 464.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, JMC, SAIC PV, and Chery all achieved growth rates approaching or exceeding 100%, underscoring the strong vitality and accelerating demand across the Central and South American market.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Middle East
Chery Auto: 65,944 units, down 37.5% year-on-year
BYD Auto: 35,817 units, up 17.9% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 19,214 units, down 30.0% year-on-year
Great Wall Motor: 15,915 units, up 48.6% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 14,728 units, down 43.8% year-on-year
Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 13,765 units, down 53.6% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 13,017 units, down 60.8% year-on-year
Karry Auto: 10,008 units, up 62.8% year-on-year
Beijing Hyundai: 9,242 units, down 50.2% year-on-year
DFPV: 5,726 units, up 71.3% year-on-year
From January to April 2026, China's passenger vehicle exports to the Middle East were characterized by stable leadership among top players, diverging growth trajectories, and strong gains from emerging brands. Chery remained the region's largest exporter with 65,944 units, although exports declined 37.5% YoY, indicating a slowdown in momentum for some established market leaders. BYD ranked second with 35,817 units and a 17.9% increase, benefiting from growing demand for new energy vehicles as the region advances its energy transition and consumption upgrade. SAIC PV placed third with 19,214 units, though exports fell 30.0% YoY, reflecting short-term market pressure.
At the same time, market polarization became increasingly evident. Several traditional brands experienced significant declines, with Changan, Yueda Kia, Geely, and Beijing Hyundai recording YoY decreases of 43.8%, 53.6%, 60.8%, and 50.2%, respectively, amid economic fluctuations and intensifying competition across the region. In contrast, a number of automakers achieved strong growth. DFPV expanded 71.3% YoY, while Karry and Great Wall Motor posted increases of 62.8% and 48.6%, respectively. These companies emerged as key contributors to export growth in the Middle East, demonstrating the region's evolving competitive landscape.
