Editor’s Pick
China’s Auto Exports Hit Record 7.1M Units in 2025; NEVs Account for 43%
China’s automotive export juggernaut continues to reshape global trade flows. With 7.098 million vehicles exported in 2025, China has secured its third consecutive year as the world’s largest auto exporter. The data reveals a structural shift: NEVs now comprise 43% of total exports, up significantly from previous years. January-February 2026 export growth of 48% YoY suggests this momentum is accelerating, even as domestic sales face headwinds from subsidy normalization.
The composition matters as much as the volume. Chinese brands are no longer just competing on price—they’re establishing premium positioning in European markets while dominating Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern segments. The export mix increasingly favors higher-margin NEVs, suggesting China’s automotive industry is successfully navigating the transition from “world’s factory” to “global brand builder.”
Source: Automobility (March 21, 2026)
Today’s Intelligence
1. SAIC Group Sets 1.5M Overseas Sales Target for 2026
SAIC aims to export 1.5 million vehicles in 2026, representing a 40% increase from 2025’s 1.07 million units. The company continues to pursue its “Global + Local” strategy, balancing direct exports with increasing overseas production capacity.
Source: 36Kr (March 23, 2026)
2. Geely Aims for 640K Overseas Sales in 2026, Up 50%+ YoY
Geely has set an ambitious overseas target of 640,000 units for 2026, projecting over 50% year-over-year growth. This would raise the export ratio to 18.5% of total sales, reflecting Geely’s aggressive international expansion across Europe and emerging markets.
Source: 36Kr (March 23, 2026)
3. Leapmotor Targets 100K+ Overseas Sales in 2026
Leapmotor plans to more than double its overseas presence, targeting over 100,000 units in 2026 compared to 67,000 in 2025. The company is expanding coverage across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and South America, building on its Stellantis partnership advantages.
Source: 36Kr (March 23, 2026)
4. China’s Jan-Feb Auto Sales Down 22.9% YoY on Policy Normalization
China’s passenger vehicle sales totaled approximately 3.54 million units in January-February 2026, declining 22.9% year-over-year due to subsidy tapering and Spring Festival effects. However, the export ratio reached a record 37%, indicating growing dependence on international markets.
Source: Automobility (March 21, 2026)
5. Li Auto Unveils MindVLA-o1 Next-Gen Autonomous Driving Foundation Model
At NVIDIA GTC 2026, Li Auto unveiled MindVLA-o1, its next-generation autonomous driving foundation model. The system achieves breakthroughs in 3D spatial understanding, multimodal reasoning, and unified behavior generation—representing a significant leap in end-to-end autonomous driving architecture.
Source: NVIDIA GTC / IT Home (March 17, 2026)
6. VW-Xiaomi First Joint Model Enters Production
The first co-developed vehicle from Volkswagen and Xiaomi has officially entered production, marking a milestone in their technology partnership. The collaboration combines VW’s manufacturing expertise with Xiaomi’s smart ecosystem capabilities.
Source: 亿欧汽车 (March 16, 2026)
7. BMW Pauses L3 Autonomous Driving R&D
BMW has announced a temporary halt to its Level 3 autonomous driving development program, pivoting to alternative technology approaches. The decision reflects the challenges traditional automakers face in keeping pace with Chinese EV makers’ rapid ADAS advancement.
Source: 亿欧汽车 (March 16, 2026)
8. Global EV Battery Market Share: CATL 45.2%, BYD 13.8% in Jan 2026
SNE Research data shows CATL captured 45.2% of global EV battery installations in January 2026, with BYD at 13.8%. Together they command 59% market share, while Korean manufacturers’ collective share declined to 12%.
Source: CnEVPost (March 6, 2026)
9. China Machine Tool Industry Sees Order Surge on EV Manufacturing Demand
China’s machine tool sector is experiencing robust order growth driven by NEV manufacturers’ capacity expansion. BYD, CATL, and other leading companies are driving production line upgrades, creating significant demand for advanced manufacturing equipment.
Source: 36Kr / Industry Reports
Industry Signal
The export wave is becoming a tsunami. With domestic market growth normalizing and subsidy dependence ending, Chinese automakers are betting their futures on international expansion. The data is stark: 2025 export records, 2026 targets that would have seemed impossible three years ago, and an NEV mix that suggests Chinese brands are competing on technology, not just cost. The “Great Navigation” era isn’t coming—it’s already here.
China Automotive Intelligence — Daily Signals from the World’s Largest EV Industry
About: Curated daily briefing on China’s automotive industry, covering EVs, autonomous driving, battery technology, and investment opportunities.
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