China is on track to become the world’s largest automobile exporter in 2023, surpassing Japan, which has held the top spot since 2019. China’s auto exports in the first 10 months of 2023 reached 3.9 million units, an official with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) said on Saturday.
One of the main drivers of China’s auto export growth is the surging demand for electric vehicles (EVs), which accounted for nearly 30% of all passenger cars sold worldwide in 2022. China is the world’s largest EV market, with a 60% share in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
China also has a competitive advantage in lithium-ion battery cell production, which lowers the cost of EV production. China produces more than half of the world’s lithium supply, thanks to its low labor costs and abundant resources. China also has more than half of the world’s refining capacity for the metal.
Some of the world’s largest auto companies, such as Tesla and BMW, have set up production facilities in China to tap into the huge EV market. However, China’s domestic brands, such as SAIC and BYD, have also gained popularity in the global market, thanks to their large price cuts and generous government support.
China’s Auto Exports Expand to New Markets
China’s auto exports have also expanded to new markets, especially in Central Asia and Europe. Russia, which is China’s largest auto export destination, imported 544,000 vehicles from China in the first eight months of 2023, a staggering 664% increase from the same period last year. China also exported 80,000 vehicles to Russia in August alone, a 1,340% surge year-on-year.
Other Central Asian countries, such as Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, have also become new focal points for China’s auto exports. China’s auto exports to these countries increased by 300% and 400%, respectively, in the first half of 2023.
In Europe, China’s EV exports have made significant inroads, especially in Western and Southern Europe. Countries such as Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom have become prominent export destinations for China’s EVs. China’s EV export receipts to these countries doubled in the first half of 2023 from the same period last year.
China’s Auto Industry Faces Challenges and Opportunities
Despite China’s impressive auto export performance, the industry also faces some challenges and uncertainties. The global chip shortage, which has affected the auto industry worldwide, has also impacted China’s auto production and exports. China’s auto output in October 2023 fell by 8.9% year-on-year, while its exports dropped by 6.6%.
Another challenge is the rising competition from other auto exporting countries, such as South Korea, Germany, and the United States. These countries have also increased their investments and innovations in the EV sector, aiming to catch up with China’s lead. For example, South Korea’s EV exports grew by 58% in the first half of 2023, while Germany’s EV exports rose by 44%.
However, China’s auto industry also has some opportunities to further boost its export growth and competitiveness. One of them is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is the world’s largest free trade agreement, covering 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The RCEP, which took effect in January 2023, is expected to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers for China’s auto exports to the region.
Another opportunity is the development of new technologies and models in the auto industry, such as autonomous driving, hydrogen fuel cells, and smart cars. China has been investing heavily in these areas, aiming to become a global leader in the future of mobility. China’s auto industry has also been embracing digital transformation, using big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing to improve efficiency and customer experience.