Chery leads in export volume, BYD maintains strong multi-region growth丨China’s passenger vehicle exporters overview in H1 2025

In the first half of 2025, China exported 3.083 million vehicles, up 10.4% YoY, marking continued expansion in scale.

According to data compiled by the Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, Chery Auto topped the Chinese passenger vehicle exporter rankings with 545,93 units (+2.9% YoY), while BYD, leveraging its battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric Vehicle (PHEV) products, achieved strong growth across Europe (+249.8% YoY), North America (+165.7% YoY), Southeast Asia (+144.1% YoY), and the Middle East (+208.4% YoY).

The global competitiveness of new energy vehicles (NEV) had surpassed volume alone, becoming a decisive factor in shaping Chinese automakers' future overseas footprint.

Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports in H1 2025

Chery Auto: 105,775 units in June and 545,933 units (+2.9% YoY) from January to June

BYD Auto: 85,957 units in June and 443,098 units (+117.8% YoY) from January to June

SAIC PV: 42,851 units in June and 242,512 units (−4.5% YoY) from January to June

Geely Auto: 40,011 units in June and 184,114 units (−6.5% YoY) from January to June

Great Wall Motor: 34,896 units in June and 167,575 units (−5.5% YoY) from January to June

Changan Auto: 20,000 units in June and 153,080 units (−6.1% YoY) from January to June

SAIC-GM-Wuling: 25,453 units in June and 124,814 units (+16.8% YoY) from January to June

Tesla: 10,115 units in June and 101,064 units (−31.9% YoY) from January to June

Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 16,200 units in June and 85,691 units (+20.0% YoY) from January to June

JAC: 6,753 units in June and 54,732 units (−14.2% YoY) from January to June

In terms of vehicle exports, Chery Auto took the lead with an impressive 545,933 units, although its modest 2.9% YoY growth underscores the slowdown in the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) market. BYD Auto followed closely in second place with 443,098 units, surging 117.8% YoY—a sharp acceleration that highlights the rapid global penetration of Chinese NEVs and validates the effectiveness of its dual pure-electric and hybrid technology strategy. SAIC PV ranked third (-4.5% YoY), maintaining substantial export volumes.

Notably, SAIC-GM-Wuling (+16.8% YoY) and Jiangsu Yueda Kia (+20.0% YoY) were among the few automakers on the list to achieve double-digit growth. In contrast, ICE-focused players such as Geely Auto, Great Wall Motor, and Changan Auto recorded YoY declines of 5%–6%, reflecting mounting geopolitical pressures and weakening demand for ICE vehicle models in overseas markets.

Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Europe (H1 2025)

BYD Auto: 135,918 units, up 249.8% year-on-year

SAIC PV: 128,865 units, up 14.7% year-on-year

Chery Auto: 71,848 units, up 197.7% year-on-year

Tesla: 52,807 units, down 24.4% year-on-year

Geely Auto: 36,807 units, down 52.1% year-on-year

Spotlight Automotive: 22,569 units, up 13.8% year-on-year

eGT: 13,698 units, up 530.7% year-on-year

Volkswagen Anhui: 13,321 units, up 273.7% year-on-year

Geely-Volvo: 9,437 units, up 7.4% year-on-year

Leapmotor: 9,337 units, up 583.0% year-on-year

In terms of exports to Europe, BYD Auto led the pack with 135,918 units （+249.8% YoY), underscoring its strong market penetration in the region. This performance reflects not only BYD's first-mover advantage in electrification but also the rapidly growing recognition of Chinese NEV brands among European consumers. SAIC PV followed closely with 128,865 unit (+14.7% YoY), highlighting its well-established overseas distribution network. Chery Auto ranked third, shipping 71,848 units to Europe (+197.7% YoY)—momentum driven in part by its intensified localization efforts in recent years. At the end of last year, Chery Auto partnered with Ebro-EV Motors to set up the EBRO plant for CKD assembly.

Notably, eGT and Leapmotor posted extraordinary YoY growth rates of 530.7% and 583.0% respectively, underscoring the surging demand for high-value electric vehicles in the European market. As a representative of Sino-German joint ventures, Volkswagen Anhui recorded a 273.7% YoY spike, signaling that traditional automakers are accelerating their transformation and leveraging China's manufacturing strength to supply the European market.

Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Southeast Asia (H1 2025)

BYD Auto: 62,565 units, up 144.1% year-on-year

Geely Auto: 44,906 units, up 64.5% year-on-year

Chery Auto: 38,296 units, up 139.4% year-on-year

Changan Auto: 16,221 units, up 8.5% year-on-year

Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 9,973 units, up 61.1% year-on-year

Great Wall Motor: 8,628 units, up 3.9% year-on-year

Tesla: 8,422 units, up 15.8% year-on-year

XPENG: 8,414 units

Jiangling Motor: 7,696 units, up 13.5% year-on-year

SAIC PV: 7,347 units, down 43.2% year-on-year

In Southeast Asia, BYD Auto led the market by a wide margin with 62,565 units (+44.1% YoY)—a performance that underscores the strong penetration of its NEV lineup in the region. This translates to an average of around 14 BYD vehicles shipped to Southeast Asian ports every hour. Geely Auto ranked second with 44,906 units, its 64.5% YoY growth rate signaling accelerated market expansion, while Chery Auto followed closely in third place with a robust 139.4% increase.

NEVs have become the primary growth engine for Chinese brands expanding into Southeast Asia. Beyond BYD Auto and Chery Auto, XPENG stood out as the only emerging EV maker to make the list, underscoring its initial success in tapping into the region's market.

SAIC PV saw its exports to this market plunge 43.2% YoY, revealing a potentially vulnerable position amid strategic adjustments or intensified competition in Southeast Asia.

Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to North America (H1 2025)

BYD Auto: 66,954 units, up 165.7% year-on-year

SAIC-GM-Wuling: 52,662 units, up 14.6% year-on-year

Chery Auto: 18,416 units, up 22.2% year-on-year

Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 16,369 units, up 14.3% year-on-year

Changan-Ford: 16,133 units, down 20.2% year-on-year

SAIC-GM: 15,669 units, down 22.0% year-on-year

SAIC PV: 13,653 units, down 64.5% year-on-year

Geely Auto: 12,508 units, down 11.9% year-on-year

GAC Trumpchi: 9,097 units, up 272.2% year-on-year

Great Wall Motor: 9,091 units, up 81.7% year-on-year

In North America, BYD Auto topped the list with nearly 66,954 units exported (+165.7% YoY). This performance highlights BYD's leading position in the region's growing market, driven by its mature battery and plug-in hybrid technology platforms, locally adapted product iterations—such as the long-range ATTO 3 tailored for Mexico and the soon-to-be-delivered Seal SUV—and its gradually established sales and service network.

SAIC-GM-Wuling secured second place with 52,662 units. Models like the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV and its derivative Air EV, offering exceptional cost performance, primarily target the entry-level urban mobility segment in Mexico. By contrast, other joint-venture brands—Jiangsu Yueda Kia (+14.3% YoY), Changan-Ford (–20.2% YoY), and SAIC-GM (–22.0% YoY)—faced significant challenges. Amid the broader U.S.-China decoupling, exports to the American market are under considerable pressure.

At the same time, China's local brands and emerging players delivered impressive performances. Chery Auto claimed third place with 18,416 units (+22.2% YoY), demonstrating its continued penetration in the mid-range segment. The standout, however, was GAC Trumpchi, ranked ninth, which soared 272.2% YoY to 9,097 units. GAC Trumpchi's explosive growth is largely attributed to new-generation models like EMKOO, equipped with Toyota's THS hybrid technology, meeting North American consumers' demand for low fuel consumption, high reliability, and practicality. Coupled with its precise positioning in popular segments such as mid-size SUVs, the brand quickly carved out a foothold in the market.

Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Central and South America (H1 2025)

BYD Auto: 91,509 units, down 17.2% year-on-year

Chery Auto: 58,946 units, up 17.6% year-on-year

Great Wall Motor: 34,635 units, up 51.2% year-on-year

Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 23,744 units, up 1.0% year-on-year

Jiangling Motor: 15,299 units, up 120.3% year-on-year

SAIC-GM-Wuling: 13,076 units, down 11.3% year-on-year

Geely Auto: 13,016 units, down 11.7% year-on-year

DFSK: 11,756 units, up 110.3% year-on-year

Changan Auto: 8,445 units, down 18.6% year-on-year

SAIC PV: 8,342 units, down 0.1% year-on-year

In Central and South America, BYD Auto maintained the top spot with 91,509 units exported, although a 17.2% YoY decline suggests its expansion in the Latin American market is facing a temporary bottleneck. Chery Auto (+17.6% YoY) and Great Wall Motor (+51.2% YoY) followed closely, leveraging localized production and a flexible ICE vehicle lineup to drive growth. Notably, Jiangling Motor (+120.3% YoY) and DFSK (+110.3% YoY) recorded the highest increases on the list, with compact SUVs emerging as a key vehicle segment capturing incremental demand in the region.

Currently, countries such as Brazil and Chile are accelerating the phase-out of new energy subsidies and tightening local production requirements, prompting export-reliant automakers to speed up their localization.

Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Middle East (H1 2025)

Chery Auto: 65,973 units, down 6.3% year-on-year

Geely Auto: 52,332 units, up 7.8% year-on-year

BYD Auto: 52,204 units, up 208.4% year-on-year

SAIC PV: 45,984 units, down 7.0% year-on-year

Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 45,639 units, up 54.0% year-on-year

FAW-Toyota: 38,780 units, up 192.2% year-on-year

Beijing Hyundai: 25,975 units, up 206.0% year-on-year

Southeast Auto: 25,268 units, up 540.3% year-on-year

Great Wall Motor: 21,927 units, up 91.1% year-on-year

Changan Auto: 17,362 units, down 6.1% year-on-year

In the Middle East, Chery Auto maintained the top spot with 65,973 units, although a 6.3% YoY decline reflects intensifying competition at the top. Geely Auto held second place with a steady 7.8% YoY growth, continuing its ICE vehicle advantage while gradually expanding in NEV sector, demonstrating resilience through a "dual-track" strategy. BYD Auto surged to third place with a remarkable 208.4% YoY increase, as its NEV models gain traction amid accelerating energy transition efforts in countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, reshaping the regional market landscape.

In addition, FAW-Toyota achieved robust growth, soaring 192.2% YoY to 38,780 units, largely driven by its dealers' parallel export operations.

Top 10 Chinese automakers by passenger vehicle exports to Oceania (H1 2025)

Chery Auto: 23,541 units, up 418.3% year-on-year

SAIC PV: 23,337 units, up 11.1% year-on-year

Great Wall Motor: 22,893 units, up 30.1% year-on-year

BYD Auto: 20,898 units, up 134.8% year-on-year

Tesla: 15,500 units, down 46.3% year-on-year

Geely Auto: 5,119 units, up 88.1% year-on-year

Jiangsu Yueda Kia: 3,625 units, up 841.6% year-on-year

SAIC-GM-Wuling: 1,761 units, up 3,902.3% year-on-year

SAIC-Maxus: 1,595 units, up 107.1% year-on-year

Geely-Volvo: 907 units, up 62.5% year-on-year

In Oceania, Chery Auto topped the list with 23,541 units, marking a remarkable 418.3% YoY surge. SAIC PV (23,337 units) and Great Wall Motor (22,893 units) followed closely, forming the first-tier group in the region.

Notably, BYD Auto ranked fourth with 20,898 units (+134.8% YoY), reflecting the rapidly growing acceptance of its NEV lineup in the Australia and New Zealand market and underscoring the accelerating local electrification trend. Jiangsu Yueda Kia (3,625 units, +841.6% YoY) and SAIC-GM-Wuling (1,761 units, +3,902.3% YoY) have leveraged small EVs to tap into the rental and short-distance mobility segments, demonstrating strong potential for differentiated positioning. The Geely entities has adopted a dual-track strategy, with Geely Auto (5,119 units, +88.1% YoY) targeting the mass market and Geely-Volvo (907 units, +62.5% YoY) covering the premium segment.