China’s exports grew 31% in the first half of the year to 2.79 million

Japan ranked second with global car sales of 2.02 million units, second only to China

China became the world’s largest automobile exporter in 2023, and this year it further expanded its lead, leaving Japan far behind, proving that the Chinese automobile era has truly arrived.

According to data from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japan’s total automobile exports reached 2.02 million units in the first half of this year. Compared with the same period last year, the export volume decreased slightly, with passenger car exports reaching 1.83 million units and commercial vehicle exports reaching approximately 187,000 units. The Chinese market made up for the slight decrease in Japan’s automobile exports.

Read: Global demand for Chinese cars at all-time high outstrips shipping capacity

According to Auto News, Chinese automakers exported more than 2.79 million vehicles from January to June this year, an increase of 31%, including 2.34 million passenger cars and 450,000 commercial vehicles.

Interestingly, while many people only associate new innovative pure electric and other electric vehicles with Chinese car brands, these vehicles only account for a small portion of China’s exports, with a total of 605,000 vehicles exported. In contrast, the 2.19 million vehicles produced in China and exported overseas were more traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

In 2023, Chinese auto brands exported about 5.26 million vehicles, thus replacing Japan as the world’s largest auto exporter. If China’s strong momentum in the first half of the year continues from July to December, China’s auto exports may exceed 5.58 million vehicles by the end of this year.