Building its vehicle market over the past several days into the powerhouse of the current day, China is close to overtaking Japan as the world’s top vehicle exporter. 
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China is on the brink of surpassing Japan as the top global car exporter, with robust sales in Russia and Mexico propelling its ascent. Traditionally, Japan, Germany, and South Korea have dominated international auto exports. However, China is now poised to overtake these nations and become the world’s largest auto exporter in the near future.
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In the first quarter of 2023, China’s exports outpaced Japan’s, and this trend continued throughout the entire year. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) reported that between January and November, China exported 4,41 million vehicles, reflecting a strong 58% increase compared to the same period in 2022. In contrast, Japan produced 3,99 million units during the first 11 months of 2023, representing a 15% growth.
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While China is still making limited strides in the U.S. market and is at an early stage of entering the European market, its significant presence in Mexico and Russia has been pivotal in driving its export figures. China exported almost three quarter of a million vehicles to Russia from January to October, a sevenfold increase from the year prior. In Mexico, exports rose by 71% reaching 330 000 units. These two countries alone accounted for almost one million exports. Chinese automakers are not merely content with exporting to Mexico; some are actively establishing production bases, potentially providing a gateway for Chinese brands to access the U.S. market without facing steep import duties.
It’s noteworthy that not all of China’s auto exports carry Chinese branding. While BYD plays a significant role in China’s automotive export endeavors, global brands like Tesla, Volvo, BMW, and Buick manufacture cars in China for sale in other markets.
Much of this success is courtesy of the burgeoning EV industry which is becoming more prevalent in first-world countries. Many electrified vehicle components, batteries and motors are manufactured in China and installed in EVs from international automakers. With continued adoption of electrification, China will likely remain a top vehicle exporter, dominating automotive production globally.
