Chinese vehicle exports rise by 15% in 2025, with Mexico as biggest export market

According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), shared by the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), a total of 652,000 units were exported in the month of September alone, marking a new monthly record. Mexico led as China's biggest export market with almost 10% of the global share of exports heading its way. Mexico has been feeling the impact of changing trade with China and other import sources. The local market has seen a sharp rise in vehicle imports from Chinese brands and from other OEMs shipping from China, demanding agility in sourcing, routing, pricing and inventory strategies from Mexican OEMs, something that was recently discussed at ALSC Mexico. 

ALSC Mexico editor's blog: Maintaining Mexico’s supply chain edge with innovation, optimisation and flexibility

At the ongoing ALSC Mexico conference, industry leaders are discussing redesigning networks, digitalisation, trade and tariffs and supply chain innovation. Follow our editor's blog below for updates including Red Sofa interviews, analysis and features with the key insights from this year's event.

Megan Kelly

James McLoughlin

For China's exports, the volume in the third quarter (Q3) alone of this year rose year-on-year by almost 18% to 1.8m units.

Of the total vehicles shipped from China in the first three quarters, Chery Automobile was the top exporter, with brands such as Jaecoo and Omoda contributing to its 936,000 units exported in the nine-month period. BYD exported 705,000 units, followed by SAIC with 680,000, Changan with 465,000 units and Geely with 423,000 units.

While Mexico led in export destinations, marking a 16% year-on-year increase, the UAE took second place, with 367,796 vehicles shipped, up 59% compared to the first nine months of 2024. Russia and Belgium took third and fourth place (357,708 units and 233,748 units respectively), and the UK was China’s fifth ranking export destination, with an almost 50% increase in exports amounting to 224,590 units.

By fuel type, ICE vehicles remained popular with 65% of total exports, or 3.18m units. However, the ECG said that while this is the overriding majority, the share of new energy vehicle (NEV) exports from China is growing. In the first nine months of 2025, a total of 1.7m NEVs were exported, marking a 35% market share of the total, which is 48% more than the volume a year ago.

Interestingly, there was a 35% decline of imports of cars into China so far this year, with just 368,000 vehicles imported.