According to the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, China's passenger vehicle exports showed clear regional differentiation from January to May 2026. Central and South America emerged as the fastest-growing market, with brands such as BYD and Geely achieving rapid expansion driven by NEV advantages and channel development. Europe continued its strong penetration trend, with Chery, SAIC PV, and BYD maintaining leading positions. Southeast Asia saw intensifying competition among Chinese brands, with Geely leading the market and emerging players such as Leapmotor gaining momentum.
By contrast, North America and the Middle East faced greater pressure amid shifting trade policies, competitive dynamics, and regional uncertainties, although some brands continued to grow through localized strategies and product advantages. Overall, Chinese automakers' overseas expansion is shifting from scale-driven growth toward more refined regional operations, with different markets showing distinct development paths.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Europe
Chery Auto: 202,549 units, up 277.5% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 180,010 units, up 61.9% year-on-year
BYD Auto: 116,681 units, up 8.8% year-on-year
Tesla: 60,230 units, up 17.7% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 56,218 units, up 88.1% year-on-year
Leapmotor: 45,313 units, up 258.3% year-on-year
Spotlight Automotive: 20,954 units, up 15.6% year-on-year
eGT: 15,593 units, up 26.5% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 12,710 units, up 634.3% year-on-year
smart Automobile: 11,425 units, up 221.0% year-on-year
According to the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, from January to May 2026, Chery ranked first among Chinese automakers in European passenger vehicle exports, with 202,549 units and a 277.5% YoY increase. SAICPV and BYD ranked second and third with 180,010 units and 116,681 units, respectively, forming the leading tier. Chery's growth was driven by its multi-brand strategy, expanding product portfolio, and broader sales networks, making it a key contributor to Chinese automakers' expansion in Europe. SAIC maintained its market position through the accumulated strength of the MG brand, while BYD continued to benefit from its NEV product advantages.
The second tier included Tesla, Geely, and Leapmotor, ranking fourth to sixth. Among them, Leapmotor delivered the strongest growth, with exports reaching 45,313 units, up 258.3% YoY, highlighting the growth potential of Chinese emerging EV brands in Europe. Changan Automobile and Smart also recorded rapid expansion, with exports increasing 634.3% and 221.0%, respectively, further accelerating their European market presence.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Southeast Asia
Geely Auto: 67,381 units, up 92.4% year-on-year
BYD Auto: 53,692 units, up 2.0% year-on-year
Chery Auto: 31,199 units, up 4.0% year-on-year
Great Wall Motor: 12,608 units, up 83.2% year-on-year
Tesla: 12,378 units, up 35.2% year-on-year
Jiangling Motor: 11,865 units, up 80.2% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 11,641 units, down 6.2% year-on-year
Zhenyi Auto: 10,147 units
Leapmotor Auto: 9,510 units, up 338.0% year-on-year
SAIC-GM-Wuling: 7,844 units, up 59.0% year-on-year
According to the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, among the top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Southeast Asia from January to May 2026, Geely ranked first with 67,381 units, up 92.4% YoY. Leveraging regional strategies and strong product adaptation capabilities, Geely continued to strengthen its leading position. BYD and Chery ranked second and third with 53,692 units and 31,199 units, respectively, maintaining strong export volumes. In the second tier, Great Wall Motor and Jiangling Motor delivered strong performances, exporting 12,608 units and 11,865 units, with YoY growth of 83.2% and 80.2%, becoming key drivers of regional growth. Tesla ranked fifth with 12,378 units, up 35.2%, continuing to expand its presence in Southeast Asia.
Notably, emerging EV brands accelerated their regional expansion. Leapmotor recorded 9,510 exported units, surging 338.0% year on year, making it one of the fastest-growing automakers and highlighting the growth potential of cost-competitive NEV models in Southeast Asia. In addition, Zhenyi Automobile entered the top 10 for the first time with 10,147 units, further reflecting the increasingly diversified presence of Chinese automotive brands in the regional market.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to North America
SAIC-GM-Wuling: 51,859 units, up 19.2% year-on-year
SAIC-GM: 21,332 units, up 57.2% year-on-year
Changan-Ford: 16,702 units, up 22.3% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 14,430 units, up 32.1% year-on-year
Chery Auto: 12,214 units, down 26.1% year-on-year
Jiangling Motor: 7,016 units, up 37.2% year-on-year
Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 6,947 units, down 49.0% year-on-year
GAC Trumpchi: 5,981 units, down 26.7% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 4,937 units, down 59.1% year-on-year
Tesla: 4,110 units, up 79.8% year-on-year
According to the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, among the top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to North America from January to May 2026, SAIC-GM-Wuling ranked first with 51,859 units, up 19.2% YoY. SAIC-GM and Changan-Ford ranked second and third with 21,332 units and 16,702 units, respectively, maintaining stable export volumes through established channel networks.
In terms of growth performance, several automakers showed strong resilience in the North American market. SAIC-GM recorded a 57.2% YoY increase, making it one of the fastest-growing major exporters. Geely exported 14,430 units, up 32.1% YoY, while Jiangling Motor grew 37.2% YoY, maintaining steady expansion. Although Tesla ranked tenth with a relatively small export volume of 4,110 units, its exports surged 79.8% YoY, showing strong growth momentum.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Central and South America
BYD Auto: 206,171 units, up 150.1% year-on-year
Chery Auto: 84,412 units, up 64.0% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 62,120 units, up 426.4% year-on-year
Great Wall Motor: 52,078 units, up 54.9% year-on-year
Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 27,848 units, up 33.6% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 23,499 units, up 304.9% year-on-year
Jiangling Motor: 20,325 units, up 109.1% year-on-year
JAC: 15,861 units, up 362.4% year-on-year
SAIC-GM-Wuling: 15,367 units, up 98.7% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 14,990 units, up 114.3% year-on-year
According to the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, the top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Central & South America from January to May 2026 showed a competitive landscape characterized by "NEV-driven growth and broad-based expansion." BYD ranked first with 206,171 exported units, up 150.1% YoY, becoming the largest Chinese exporter in the region. Chery ranked second with 84,412 units, maintaining its leading position through years of market presence, while Geely climbed to third with 62,120 units, surging 426.4% year on year and demonstrating strong expansion momentum.
In terms of growth performance, Central & South America has become a key growth engine for Chinese automakers' global expansion, with multiple brands achieving rapid growth. Changan Automobile increased exports by 304.9% YoY, JAC by 362.4%, and Jiangling Motor by 109.1%, all achieving significant breakthroughs. Great Wall Motor, SAIC-GM-Wuling, and SAIC PV also maintained strong growth, further expanding their influence in the regional market.
Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Middle East
Chery Auto: 74,975 units, down 36.6% year-on-year
BYD Auto: 38,684 units, down 9.2% year-on-year
SAIC PV: 21,526 units, down 45.7% year-on-year
Great Wall Motor: 19,517 units, up 17.1% year-on-year
Changan Auto: 18,646 units, down 47.2% year-on-year
Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 17,783 units, down 53.5% year-on-year
Geely Auto: 16,890 units, down 59.2% year-on-year
Karry Auto: 10,924 units, up 1.8% year-on-year
Beijing Hyundai: 10,549 units, down 52.2% year-on-year
DFPV: 6,327 units, up 30.3% year-on-year
According to the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, among the top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to the Middle East from January to May 2026, Chery ranked first with 74,975 units, but exports declined 36.6% YoY, indicating growing pressure on traditional leading brands in the region. BYD ranked second with 38,684 units, down 9.2% YoY, maintaining relatively stable performance through its NEV product strategy. SAIC PV ranked third with 21,526 units, although exports fell 45.7% YoY.
Overall, the Middle East market showed increasing divergence among Chinese automakers. Great Wall Motor was one of the few major brands to achieve growth, with exports rising 17.1% YoY to 19,517 units, demonstrating stronger market resilience. In contrast, Changan Automobile, Geely, Jiangsu Yueda Kia, and other brands experienced notable declines, with Geely's exports falling 59.2% YoY, reflecting greater market pressure.
