The “going out” strategy gains momentum Chinese car manufacturers are stepping up their drive abroad amid another sharp rise in exports in September. The trend reflects a big change in the sector, with brands making up for falling sales at home by exporting to the world.
Based on the China Passenger Car Association, exports of passenger vehicles rose by 73.2% year over year to about 923,000 units in September 2026. In contrast, domestic passenger-car sales declined by 28.1% to roughly 1.63 million vehicles, continuing a sustained period of weakness in the local market. These contrasting results highlight why international expansion has become a key focus for China’s automotive industry.
Electrified vehicles, whether fully electric or plug-in hybrids, are becoming an even bigger part of China’s export story. September new-energy passenger vehicle exports amounted to around 558,000 units, up 163.5 percent on the year before, and constituted around 60.8 percent of all passenger-vehicle exports.
Chinese manufacturers have worked hard to build their production systems including supply chains for batteries, motors, and electronics so they can sell on scale and cost. They are also adding new electric and hybrid models to suit international markets.
In some international markets, this trend in rising fuel prices and increased interest in alternative petrol vehicles offered further potential. Demand is though starkly different per countries, and uptake is still dictated by consumer tastes, charging infrastructure and government grants.
A number of large Chinese carmakers saw mostly strong overseas sales in September. BYD dispatched 179,877 passenger cars and pickups, up 153.9% over last year. The company’s overseas sales for the first nine months of 2026 totalled nearly 1.34 million vehicles, more than its entire 2025 export volume.
Geely also achieved robust growth with September exports up 162% YoY to 106,700 units. Chery posted a record monthly export figure of 207,814 units, and its nine-month exports reached around 1.55 million vehicles, an increase of 65.6% year on year.
SAIC Motor reported overseas shipments of approximately 150,000 vehicles in September, marking a 49.1% increase. This data indicates that export growth is occurring among several major manufacturers, rather than being driven by a single brand.
The export boom comes as China’s car market at home is under severe strain. September vehicle sales slumped despite the month being a traditionally strong sales time of year. Sluggish consumer confidence, lower subsidy schemes and fierce price competition have left car makers struggling to boost sales at home.
Because of this, makers are also seeking to export excess production to different markets for diversification and stable income streams. Further, some models can bring larger margins for the international market, in particular when Chinese brands are still new to some markets.
But, it costs a fortune to export cars abroad, in the form of shipping marketing distribution networks, after-sale services and regulatory compliance. The key to sustainable growth isn’t just exporting more cars, but also developing confidence and trust among customers.