HONG KONG — China's passenger car exports surged about 80% in June from a year earlier, driven by strong overseas demand for electric vehicles, even as domestic vehicle sales continued to weaken, according to industry data released this week.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) said passenger car exports reached approximately 905,000 units in June, up from about 809,000 in May and around 80% higher than a year earlier. Passenger vehicle exports for the first six months of 2026 rose roughly 72% year-on-year to more than 4.4 million units.
The export growth contrasted with softer conditions in China's domestic market. Industry figures showed passenger car sales in China fell sharply in June, reflecting continued pressure from intense price competition, weaker consumer spending and reduced government incentives for electric vehicle purchases. Domestic passenger vehicle sales totaled about 1.5 million units during the month, while first-half sales reached nearly 8.3 million units.
Chinese automakers have increasingly relied on overseas markets to offset sluggish demand at home, expanding exports to regions including Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America. The shift has been supported by growing international demand for battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, even as China's domestic EV market has cooled following subsidy reductions.
Analysts have said continued overseas expansion has become increasingly important for Chinese manufacturers seeking to sustain production and profitability amid a prolonged downturn in the domestic auto market. Forecasts for full-year export growth vary, but industry observers expect shipments to remain robust if overseas demand for Chinese-made electric vehicles persists.
