Gasgoo Munich- Data from Gasgoo Institute reveals a significant structural divergence in China's passenger vehicle exports across regions during the first half of 2026. Central and South America saw the most explosive growth, with BYD exporting 222,000 units—a 142.8% year-on-year surge—while Geely and Changan achieved rapid expansion driven by new energy vehicles and channel development. Market penetration in Europe continued as Chery, SAIC, and BYD led the pack, with emerging players like Leapmotor growing at rates exceeding 300%. Southeast Asia remained fiercely competitive among domestic brands; Geely led with nearly 90,000 units, while BYD and Leapmotor rose quickly. Meanwhile, North America and the Middle East faced pressure from trade policies and regional conditions. Export divergence in North America intensified, and most automakers saw declines in the Middle East, though Tesla and Great Wall Motor bucked the trend with localized strategies. Overall, Chinese automakers are shifting from sheer volume expansion to refined regional operations. To navigate trade barriers and demand fluctuations, accelerating localized production and operations has become the inevitable trend.
Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to Europe, H1 2026
1. Chery Automobile: 262,331 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 274.1% year-on-year
2. SAIC Motor: 211,327 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 61.3% year-on-year
3. BYD: 170,765 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 22.9% year-on-year
4. Geely: 93,203 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 134.4% year-on-year
5. Tesla: 68,709 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 28.4% year-on-year
6. Leapmotor: 61,319 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 328.1% year-on-year
7. Spotlight Automotive: 24,950 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 10.5% year-on-year
8. eGT: 19,748 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 44.2% year-on-year
9. Changan Automobile: 14,298 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 468.5% year-on-year
10. Beijing Hyundai: 10,829 units exported to Europe in H1 2026, up 242.3% year-on-year
According to Gasgoo Institute data, Chery Automobile solidified its lead in H1 2026 with 262,331 units exported to Europe, a 274.1% increase. SAIC Motor and BYD followed with 211,327 and 170,765 units respectively, cementing a stable top tier. Chery's multi-brand matrix and deepening channel penetration made it the core engine driving export growth for Chinese automakers in Europe. SAIC relied on the MG brand's long-standing user recognition to defend its market position, while BYD maintained scale leadership with its full lineup of new energy vehicles.
In the second tier, Geely, Tesla, Leapmotor, Spotlight Automotive, and eGT ranked fourth through eighth. Notably, Leapmotor stood out, shipping 61,319 units—a 328.1% surge—demonstrating the potential of Chinese new forces to crack the European market through tech partnerships and value positioning. Changan also saw explosive growth, up 468.5%, making it the fastest-growing automaker in the top ten as it builds its presence in Europe. Beijing Hyundai, with a 242.3% increase, showed a viable path for joint ventures using Chinese manufacturing to re-export to Europe, a trend worth watching as volumes scale.
Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to Southeast Asia, H1 2026
1. Geely: 89,548 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, up 117.3% year-on-year
2. BYD: 78,341 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, up 25.4% year-on-year
3. Chery Automobile: 36,326 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, down 5.0% year-on-year
4. Zhenyi Automotive: 19,143 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026
5. Great Wall Motor: 16,601 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, up 92.5% year-on-year
6. Tesla: 13,856 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, up 45.3% year-on-year
7. JMC: 13,773 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, up 79.0% year-on-year
8. Changan Automobile: 13,364 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, down 17.6% year-on-year
9. Leapmotor: 11,537 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, up 302.1% year-on-year
10. SAIC-GM-Wuling: 10,059 units exported to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, up 65.0% year-on-year
Among the top 10 Chinese passenger vehicle exporters to Southeast Asia in H1 2026, Geely dominated with 89,548 units, widening its lead by leveraging deep regional networks and precise targeting of local needs. BYD and Chery followed with 78,341 and 36,326 units respectively, maintaining significant export volumes.
While Chery appeared to dip 5.0% on the surface, combining its figures with OEM partner Zhenyi Automotive—which exported 19,143 units during the same period (mainly Jaecoo models)—reveals a combined total of 55,469 units. This indicates the overall performance remained stable rather than declining.
In the second tier, Great Wall Motor and Tesla took fourth and fifth place with 16,601 and 13,856 units respectively, growing 92.5% and 45.3%. This highlights a clear dual-track expansion of both traditional fuel and new energy vehicles. JMC ranked sixth with 13,773 units, up 79.0%, serving as a key driver of regional growth.
Notably, emerging players are accelerating their penetration. Leapmotor exported 11,537 units, a 302.1% jump, making it the fastest-growing brand in the top ten and highlighting the potential of high-value new energy models in Southeast Asia. Changan slipped 17.6% amid market adjustments. SAIC-GM-Wuling held onto the top ten threshold with 10,059 units, up 65.0%, further reflecting the diversified layout of Chinese brands in the region.
Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to North America, H1 2026
1. SAIC-GM-Wuling: 61,827 units exported to North America in H1 2026, up 17.4% year-on-year
2. SAIC-GM: 26,331 units exported to North America in H1 2026, up 68.0% year-on-year
3. Changan Ford: 21,001 units exported to North America in H1 2026, up 30.2% year-on-year
4. Geely: 18,323 units exported to North America in H1 2026, up 46.9% year-on-year
5. SAIC Motor: 14,906 units exported to North America in H1 2026, up 9.0% year-on-year
6. Chery Automobile: 12,885 units exported to North America in H1 2026, down 30.2% year-on-year
7. Tesla: 11,910 units exported to North America in H1 2026, up 327.5% year-on-year
8. Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 9,962 units exported to North America in H1 2026, down 39.1% year-on-year
9. JMC: 8,806 units exported to North America in H1 2026, up 25.5% year-on-year
10. GAC Trumpchi: 7,132 units exported to North America in H1 2026, down 21.6% year-on-year
According to Gasgoo Institute data, SAIC-GM-Wuling topped the North American list in H1 2026 with 61,827 units (up 17.4%), followed by SAIC-GM and Changan Ford with 26,331 and 21,001 units respectively. They relied on mature joint-venture channels to maintain stable export volumes.
In terms of growth, SAIC-GM led the pack with a 68.0% increase. Geely exported 18,323 units, up 46.9%, signaling intensified efforts by independent brands. Tesla exported 11,910 units, soaring 327.5%—a growth rate that left others in the dust—driven largely by a 49,000-unit EV quota from Canada.
Conversely, some companies faced significant contraction. Chery's exports fell 30.2% to 12,885 units, while Jiangsu Yueda Kia and GAC Trumpchi dropped 39.1% and 21.6% respectively, seeing their market space squeezed. Influenced by trade policy shifts, high tariff barriers, and a changing competitive landscape, the export structure in North America is diverging, with the line between growth and contraction becoming increasingly distinct.
Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to Central & South America, H1 2026
1. BYD: 222,199 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 142.8% year-on-year
2. Chery Automobile: 115,028 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 95.1% year-on-year
3. Geely: 70,563 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 445.6% year-on-year
4. Great Wall Motor: 57,359 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 65.6% year-on-year
5. Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 35,178 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 45.4% year-on-year
6. Changan Automobile: 31,654 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 296.5% year-on-year
7. JMC: 26,125 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 70.8% year-on-year
8. SAIC-GM-Wuling: 21,758 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 66.1% year-on-year
9. SAIC Motor: 20,857 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 151.4% year-on-year
10. Tesla: 17,893 units exported to Central & South America in H1 2026, up 1771.7% year-on-year
According to Gasgoo Institute data, the top 10 Chinese passenger vehicle exporters to Central and South America in H1 2026 continued a trend of "new energy leadership and comprehensive growth." BYD led with 222,199 units, up 142.8%, firmly holding the top spot. Chery followed with 115,028 units, leveraging its long-standing market foundation. Geely surged to third place with 70,563 units, skyrocketing 445.6% and showing extremely rapid market expansion.
Several companies achieved breakthrough growth. Changan's growth accelerated to 296.5%. Tesla's surge of 1771.7% made it the most explosive player on the list. Great Wall Motor, JMC, SAIC-GM-Wuling, and SAIC Motor all maintained rapid growth above 65%, presenting a picture of collective advancement.
Overall, Central and South America's strategic role in the globalization of Chinese auto brands is becoming increasingly prominent. BYD has established absolute leadership with its new energy matrix, while Chery, Geely, and Great Wall are doubling down through channel deepening and product adaptation. Emerging forces are accelerating, creating a multi-tiered competitive landscape. Notably, adjustments to Brazil's new energy vehicle import policies will profoundly impact export models. As tariffs on fully built vehicles rise, Chinese brands are likely to accelerate a shift toward CKD/SKD assembly and localized production, moving from simple exports to deeper regional operations.
Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to the Middle East, H1 2026
1. Chery Automobile: 71,978 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 48.8% year-on-year
2. BYD: 44,364 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 14.8% year-on-year
3. SAIC Motor: 27,352 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 40.7% year-on-year
4. Geely: 27,106 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 42.4% year-on-year
5. Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 23,541 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 48.4% year-on-year
6. Changan Automobile: 23,182 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 42.3% year-on-year
7. Great Wall Motor: 22,881 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, up 6.7% year-on-year
8. Beijing Hyundai: 14,967 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 42.4% year-on-year
9. Karry: 13,431 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, up 13.9% year-on-year
10. Soueast Motor: 11,600 units exported to the Middle East in H1 2026, down 56.3% year-on-year
Among the top 10 Chinese passenger vehicle exporters to the Middle East in H1 2026, Chery Automobile continued to lead with 71,978 units but fell 48.8%. BYD and SAIC Motor followed with 44,364 and 27,352 units, down 14.8% and 40.7% respectively. The decline among the top tier suggests a cyclical adjustment in market demand or the competitive landscape in the Middle East.
The competitive landscape in the Middle East is diverging, with most automakers sliding into decline. Geely, Jiangsu Yueda Kia, Changan, and Beijing Hyundai all saw drops exceeding 40%, reflecting the dual pressure of weak regional demand and intensified competition across mainstream brands. Soueast Motor ranked tenth with 11,600 units but plummeted 56.3%, the sharpest contraction.
However, a few brands held onto growth against the current. Great Wall Motor exported 22,881 units, up 6.7%, demonstrating strong resilience. Karry followed a steady, upward rhythm with 13,431 units, up 13.9%. Overall, affected by demand fluctuations, geopolitical factors, and a high base from previous periods, the Middle East market has entered a deep adjustment phase. Chinese automakers must rely on new energy product iteration, localized operations, and brand deepening to find new growth breakthroughs in this traditionally advantageous region.
—— Recommended: 2026 Chinese Automaker Global Layout Map ——
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