Where Did China's Passenger Car Exports Go in January-June 2026 | Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute

According to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute data, in the first half of 2026, China's passenger car and new energy passenger car exports continued to maintain a growth trend, and the global market layout was further optimized. Traditional passenger car exports showed regional differentiation characteristics, with Russia and Brazil maintaining the lead, and the European market consolidating its core status; new energy passenger car exports continued the high momentum, with Brazil leading the way, while European and Asia-Pacific markets became the main growth engines. With the evolution of global market demand and the deepening of localization layout by Chinese automakers, overseas exports are moving from scale expansion to a more diversified and refined development stage.

Top 10 Destination Countries for China's Passenger Car Exports (January-June 2026)

NO.1 Russia, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Russia were 432,698 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 154.2%.

NO.2 Brazil, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Brazil were 394,410 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 158.6%.

NO.3 United Kingdom, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to the United Kingdom were 251,290 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 91.4%.

NO.4 Belgium, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Belgium were 215,184 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 46.2%.

NO.5 Australia, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Australia were 211,965 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 84.2%.

NO.6 Mexico, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Mexico were 148,154 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year decline of 33.7%.

NO.7 Italy, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Italy were 146,769 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 141.9%.

NO.8 United Arab Emirates, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to the United Arab Emirates were 135,713 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year decline of 36.4%.

NO.9 Spain, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Spain were 115,264 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 55.0%.

NO.10 Malaysia, January-June 2026, exports of passenger cars to Malaysia were 103,745 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 38.7%.

According to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute data, in the first half of 2026, the landscape of destination countries for China's passenger car exports adjusted further. Russia returned to the top export market with 432,698 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 154.2%, surpassing Brazil to take the top spot, showing that the strong demand for Chinese cars in the local market is being continuously released. Brazil ranked second with 394,410 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 158.6%. Driven by inventory buildup prior to the increase in complete vehicle import tariffs in July, it maintained high-speed growth in the first half, but with the implementation of policy adjustments, the subsequent export model may gradually transform towards KD (knock-down assembly) and local production.

From a regional distribution perspective, Europe remains the core growth pole for China's passenger car exports. The United Kingdom ranked third with 251,290 vehicles firmly, Belgium (215,184 vehicles), Italy (146,769 vehicles) and Spain (115,264 vehicles) all entered the top ten, of which Italy grew by 141.9% year-on-year, continuing the high-speed growth trend. However, the European market still faces challenges such as trade policies, anti-subsidy investigations, and intensified local competition. Future growth will rely more on brand power and local operation capabilities.

Latin American market differentiation intensified further. Brazil continued to maintain strong growth, while Mexico's export volume was 148,154 vehicles, a year-on-year decline of 33.7%, affected by tariff policy adjustments and tightening North American trade environment factors, market demand continues to be under pressure. The Middle East market also entered an adjustment phase, with United Arab Emirates exports of 135,713 vehicles, a year-on-year decline of 36.4%, high-speed growth momentum slowed down somewhat. In contrast, Asia-Pacific market maintained steady expansion, with Australia ranking fifth with 211,965 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 84.2%, and Malaysia with 103,745 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 38.7% first broke through 100,000 vehicles, showing Southeast Asia and Oceania markets still have considerable growth potential.

Overall, in the first half of 2026, China's passenger car exports continued to maintain high growth, but growth momentum is shifting from single market driven to multi-regional coordinated development. With changes in global trade environment and continuous promotion of local policies in various countries, Chinese automakers' overseas competition is also gradually shifting from export scale competition to comprehensive competition in brand building, channel operations and local system capabilities.

Top 10 Destination Countries for China's "New Energy" Passenger Car Exports (January-June 2026)

NO.1 Brazil, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to Brazil were 293,032 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 158.8%.

NO.2 Belgium, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to Belgium were 207,174 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 45.3%.

NO.3 United Kingdom, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to the United Kingdom were 181,880 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 101.8%.

NO.4 Australia, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to Australia were 154,305 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 199.7%.

NO.5 Germany, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to Germany were 83,085 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 219.5%.

NO.6 Thailand, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to Thailand were 80,914 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 84.0%.

NO.7 Italy, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to Italy were 77,773 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 298.8%.

NO.8 South Korea, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to South Korea were 73,940 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 161.5%.

NO.9 Spain, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to Spain were 71,872 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 69.3%.

NO.10 United Arab Emirates, January-June 2026, exports of new energy passenger cars to the United Arab Emirates were 59,739 vehicles, cumulative year-on-year growth of 34.7%.

According to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute data, in the first half of 2026, China's new energy passenger car exports continued to maintain high growth, and the landscape of destination countries further concentrated on European and Asia-Pacific markets. Brazil ranked first with 293,032 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 158.8%, new energy models have become the absolute main force for Chinese car exports to the Brazilian market. Belgium and the United Kingdom ranked second and third with 207,174 vehicles and 181,880 vehicles respectively, exports to the United Kingdom exceeded 180,000 vehicles for the first time, year-on-year growth of 101.8%, while Belgium continued to play an important role as a European logistics and transshipment hub.

From a regional distribution perspective, the European market remains the core growth engine for China's new energy passenger car exports. Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain entered the top ten, of which Germany grew by 219.5% year-on-year, Italy grew by 298.8%, and the United Kingdom also achieved double-digit growth, reflecting that Chinese new energy vehicles are continuously improving competitiveness in mainstream European markets. At the same time, European market competition will gradually shift from product introduction stage to comprehensive competition in brand, channel and local operation capabilities.

Asia-Pacific market continued rapid expansion. Australia ranked fourth with 154,305 vehicles, a year-on-year growth of 199.7%, becoming the largest new energy export market outside Europe; Thailand and South Korea exported 80,914 vehicles and 73,940 vehicles respectively, year-on-year growth of 84.0% and 161.5%, showing that Chinese new energy vehicles' penetration rate in Southeast Asian and Northeast Asian markets continues to improve. In the Middle East market, United Arab Emirates exported 59,739 vehicles, year-on-year growth of 34.7%, maintaining steady growth, but growth rate slowed somewhat compared to before.

Overall, in the first half of 2026, China's new energy passenger car exports continued to maintain high momentum, and market coverage extended from emerging economies to traditional automotive powerhouses. With continuous improvement of product competitiveness and global channels, local systems continuously improving, Chinese new energy vehicles are accelerating from scale expansion to high-quality globalization development.