Gasgoo Munich- China’s passenger vehicle and new-energy vehicle (NEV) exports kept growing in the first half of 2026, further optimizing their global footprint, according to data from Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute. Traditional exports show regional divergence: Russia and Brazil remain in the lead, while Europe solidifies its core position. NEV exports, meanwhile, sustained their momentum, with Brazil staying out front and Europe and the Asia-Pacific region serving as the main growth engines. As global demand evolves and Chinese automakers deepen their local presence, overseas exports are shifting from sheer volume expansion toward a more diversified, refined stage of development.
Top 10 Destinations for China’s Passenger Car Exports (H1 2026)
No. 1 Russia: Exports to the country reached 432,698 units in the first half of 2026, surging 154.2% from a year earlier.
No. 2 Brazil: Exports totaled 394,410 units, climbing 158.6% year-on-year.
No. 3 United Kingdom: Shipments hit 251,290 units, a 91.4% annual increase.
No. 4 Belgium: Exports stood at 215,184 units, up 46.2% from the previous year.
No. 5 Australia: Deliveries reached 211,965 units, jumping 84.2% year-on-year.
No. 6 Mexico: Exports fell to 148,154 units, slipping 33.7% year-on-year.
No. 7 Italy: Shipments climbed to 146,769 units, soaring 141.9% from a year ago.
No. 8 United Arab Emirates: Exports dropped to 135,713 units, down 36.4% year-on-year.
No. 9 Spain: Exports reached 115,264 units, rising 55.0% year-on-year.
No. 10 Malaysia: Shipments hit 103,745 units, up 38.7% from the previous year.
The landscape for China’s passenger car exports shifted further in the first half of 2026, according to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute. Russia reclaimed the top spot with 432,698 units—a 154.2% surge—overtaking Brazil as demand for Chinese vehicles continued to unleash. Brazil followed in second place with 394,410 units, up 158.6%, driven by front-loading shipments ahead of tariff hikes in July. However, as policy adjustments take effect, future export models are likely to pivot toward knock-down (KD) kits and localized production.
Regionally, Europe remains a core growth engine for Chinese passenger car exports. The UK held steady at third with 251,290 units, while Belgium (215,184 units), Italy (146,769 units), and Spain (115,264 units) all cracked the top ten. Italy, in particular, maintained its rapid ascent with a 141.9% jump. Still, Europe presents headwinds—including trade policies, anti-subsidy probes, and intensifying local competition—meaning future gains will hinge more on brand strength and localized operations.
The Latin American market is showing sharper divergence. While Brazil continues its surge, exports to Mexico slid to 148,154 units—a 33.7% drop—pressured by tariff shifts and a tightening North American trade environment. The Middle East is also adjusting: exports to the UAE fell 36.4% to 135,713 units, cooling off from previous highs. By contrast, the Asia-Pacific region is expanding steadily. Australia ranked fifth with 211,965 units (up 84.2%), and Malaysia surpassed the 100,000-unit mark for the first time with 103,745 units (up 38.7%), signaling ample room for growth in Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Overall, Chinese passenger car exports maintained high growth in the first half of 2026, but the momentum is shifting from reliance on a single market to multi-regional synergy. As the global trade environment evolves and localization policies advance, the competitive battleground for Chinese automakers overseas is moving beyond export volume to encompass brand building, channel operations, and comprehensive localization capabilities.
Top 10 Destinations for China’s NEV Passenger Car Exports (H1 2026)
No. 1 Brazil: NEV exports reached 293,032 units, climbing 158.8% year-on-year.
No. 2 Belgium: Shipments totaled 207,174 units, up 45.3% from a year earlier.
No. 3 United Kingdom: Exports hit 181,880 units, jumping 101.8% year-on-year.
No. 4 Australia: Deliveries stood at 154,305 units, surging 199.7% annually.
No. 5 Germany: Exports reached 83,085 units, soaring 219.5% year-on-year.
No. 6 Thailand: Shipments came to 80,914 units, rising 84.0% from the previous year.
No. 7 Italy: Exports climbed to 77,773 units, a 298.8% annual increase.
No. 8 South Korea: Deliveries hit 73,940 units, up 161.5% year-on-year.
No. 9 Spain: Exports totaled 71,872 units, gaining 69.3% year-on-year.
No. 10 United Arab Emirates: Shipments reached 59,739 units, up 34.7% from a year ago.
China’s NEV passenger car exports maintained rapid growth in the first half of 2026, with destinations increasingly concentrated in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, according to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute. Brazil held onto the top spot with 293,032 units (up 158.8%), as NEVs cemented their status as the dominant force in Chinese auto exports to the country. Belgium and the UK followed with 207,174 and 181,880 units respectively; the UK surpassed 180,000 units for the first time—doubling annually—while Belgium continued to serve as a key European logistics and transshipment hub.
Regionally, Europe remains the core engine for Chinese NEV exports. Five European nations made the top ten: Belgium, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Germany surged 219.5%, Italy skyrocketed 298.8%, and the UK doubled its shipments, reflecting the rising competitiveness of Chinese NEVs in mainstream European markets. Yet, competition in Europe is moving beyond product introduction to a broader contest involving branding, distribution, and localized operations.
The Asia-Pacific region continued its rapid expansion. Australia ranked fourth with 154,305 units (up 199.7%), making it the largest NEV export market outside Europe. Thailand and South Korea received 80,914 and 73,940 units respectively, rising 84.0% and 161.5%, indicating that Chinese NEVs are steadily gaining penetration in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia. In the Middle East, the UAE saw steady growth with 59,739 units (up 34.7%), though the pace has slowed compared to earlier periods.
Overall, Chinese NEV passenger car exports sustained their high momentum in the first half of 2026, expanding their reach from emerging economies to traditional automotive powerhouses. As product competitiveness improves and global channels and localization systems mature, Chinese NEVs are accelerating their shift from volume expansion to high-quality globalization.
