Gasgoo Munich - Data compiled by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) from the General Administration of Customs shows that in 2025, China’s vehicle exports expanded in both scale and value. The surge in year-end shipments not only extends the industry's growth trajectory but also underscores the rising global competitiveness of Chinese automakers, marking steady progress in high-quality overseas expansion.
For the full year, vehicle exports totaled 8.32 million units, a 29.9% increase, while export value reached $142.46 billion, up 21.4%. This synchronized rise in volume and value signals a sustained optimization of the export mix.
Image credit: Chery Automobile
December, the year's closing chapter, delivered a standout performance. Vehicle exports reached 994,000 units — a 21.4% monthly rise and a 73.2% surge from a year earlier. Export value hit $17.14 billion, climbing 23.6% month-over-month and 71.7% year-on-year. The single-month growth rates for both volume and value far outpaced the annual average, providing a critical pillar for the year's overall expansion.
Notably, 2025 brought intensified global competition, alongside challenges such as trade barriers and supply chain volatility. Yet, Chinese auto exports still achieved high-level growth, demonstrating strong industrial resilience.
Behind this dual rise in volume and value is a synergy of factors. At the core is the technological upgrade and improved product strength of China's auto industry. New energy vehicles and intelligent models have become the main force of exports, driving a shift from low-end to mid- and high-end products and lifting per-vehicle value.
Meanwhile, leading automakers are accelerating their push for overseas localization, building full-chain systems that cover R&D, production, supply chains, and service. This strategy effectively sidesteps trade barriers and broadens global market reach, balancing scale expansion with profit improvement.
Looking ahead, as industrial upgrades continue and overseas footprints deepen, China's auto exports are poised to consolidate their advantages. The country is set to secure a more pivotal position in the global automotive landscape, completing the transition from a major auto nation to a global automotive powerhouse.
