Gasgoo Munich- Data from Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute reveals a clear structural divergence in China’s passenger vehicle exports to major global regions during the first five months of 2026. Central and South America emerged as the fastest-growing market, with BYD and Geely achieving rapid expansion through their new energy advantages and widening distribution networks. Europe maintained its rapid penetration trend, with Chery, SAIC, and BYD solidifying their positions at the top. In Southeast Asia, domestic brands are competing fiercely; Geely is leading the pack, while Leapmotor and others are rising quickly. By contrast, North America and the Middle East faced significant pressure from shifting trade policies, competitive landscapes, and regional environments, though some brands still managed growth through localized operations and product strengths. On the whole, Chinese automakers are shifting from sheer scale expansion to refined regional operations, carving out distinct development paths across different markets.Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to EuropeNO.1 Chery Automobile: From January to May 2026, Chery exported 202,549 units to Europe, surging 277.5% year on year.NO.2 SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle: 180,010 units were shipped to Europe in the first five months of 2026, a 61.9% annual increase.NO.3 BYD: BYD exported 116,681 units to Europe during the period, up 8.8% from the previous year.NO.4 Tesla: Tesla shipped 60,230 units to Europe from January to May 2026, climbing 17.7% year on year.NO.5 Geely: Geely exported 56,218 units to Europe in the first five months of 2026, an 88.1% jump.NO.6 Leapmotor: Leapmotor’s exports to Europe reached 45,313 units, soaring 258.3% year on year.NO.7 Spotlight Automotive: 20,954 units were exported to Europe, up 15.6% annually.NO.8 eGT: eGT shipped 15,593 units to Europe, a 26.5% year-on-year rise.NO.9 Changan: Changan exported 12,710 units to Europe, surging 634.3% year on year.NO.10 Smart Automobile: Smart shipped 11,425 units to Europe, up 221.0% year on year.According to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute, Chery claimed the top spot among Chinese passenger vehicle exporters to Europe with 202,549 units—a 277.5% jump—in the first five months of 2026. SAIC Motor and BYD followed in second and third with 180,010 and 116,681 units respectively, forming a distinct first tier. Chery’s multi-brand strategy, expanded product matrix, and broader distribution channels have become key drivers for Chinese exports to Europe. SAIC continues to hold market share thanks to the heritage of its MG brand, while BYD maintains scale leadership through its new energy offerings.In the second tier, Tesla, Geely, and Leapmotor ranked fourth through sixth. Leapmotor’s performance was particularly striking; it shipped 45,313 units, a 258.3% surge, signaling the growth potential of China’s new EV startups in Europe. Changan and Smart also posted rapid growth, climbing 634.3% and 221.0% respectively as they expand their European footprint.Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to Southeast AsiaNO.1 Geely: Geely exported 67,381 units to Southeast Asia, up 92.4% year on year.NO.2 BYD: BYD shipped 53,692 units to the region, a 2.0% annual increase.NO.3 Chery: Chery exported 31,199 units to Southeast Asia, climbing 4.0% from the previous year.NO.4 Great Wall Motor: Great Wall shipped 12,608 units to Southeast Asia, jumping 83.2% year on year.NO.5 Tesla: Tesla exported 12,378 units to Southeast Asia, up 35.2% annually.NO.6 JMC: JMC shipped 11,865 units to the region, an 80.2% year-on-year rise.NO.7 Changan: Changan exported 11,641 units to Southeast Asia, slipping 6.2% year on year.NO.8 Zhenyi Automobile: Zhenyi shipped 10,147 units to Southeast Asia.NO.9 Leapmotor: Leapmotor exported 9,510 units to Southeast Asia, surging 338.0% year on year.NO.10 SAIC-GM-Wuling: SGMW shipped 7,844 units to the region, up 59.0% annually.Geely led the Southeast Asia rankings with 67,381 units—a 92.4% increase—leveraging regional localization and product fit to widen its lead. BYD and Chery took second and third with 53,692 and 31,199 units respectively, maintaining substantial scale. In the second tier, Great Wall Motor and JMC stood out, shipping 12,608 and 11,865 units respectively, with growth of 83.2% and 80.2%, becoming key drivers of regional expansion. Tesla ranked fifth with 12,378 units, up 35.2%, as it continues to push into Southeast Asia.Notably, new forces are accelerating their penetration. Leapmotor exported 9,510 units, a 338.0% surge, making it one of the fastest-growing automakers and highlighting the potential of high-value-for-money EVs in the region. Additionally, Zhenyi Automobile entered the top ten for the first time with 10,147 units, reflecting the increasingly diversified strategies of Chinese brands in regional markets.Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to North AmericaNO.1 SAIC-GM-Wuling: SGMW exported 51,859 units to North America, up 19.2% year on year.NO.2 SAIC General Motors: SAIC GM shipped 21,332 units to North America, climbing 57.2% annually.NO.3 Changan Ford: Changan Ford exported 16,702 units to North America, a 22.3% year-on-year rise.NO.4 Geely: Geely shipped 14,430 units to North America, up 32.1% from the previous year.NO.5 Chery: Chery exported 12,214 units to North America, down 26.1% year on year.NO.6 JMC: JMC shipped 7,016 units to North America, rising 37.2% annually.NO.7 Jiangsu Yueda Kia: Yueda Kia exported 6,947 units to North America, falling 49.0% year on year.NO.8 GAC Trumpchi: GAC Trumpchi shipped 5,981 units to North America, down 26.7% annually.NO.9 SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle: SAIC Passenger exported 4,937 units to North America, slipping 59.1% year on year.NO.10 Tesla: Tesla shipped 4,110 units to North America, surging 79.8% year on year.SAIC-GM-Wuling topped the North America list with 51,859 units (up 19.2%), followed by SAIC GM and Changan Ford with 21,332 and 16,702 units respectively, relying on mature distribution networks to maintain stable export volumes.Some automakers showed resilience in North America. SAIC GM climbed 57.2%, making it one of the fastest-growing brands among the leaders. Geely shipped 14,430 units, up 32.1%, while JMC grew 37.2%, maintaining steady expansion. Tesla, while smaller in scale at 4,110 units (ranking tenth), posted a standout 79.8% increase.Conversely, others faced significant headwinds. Chery’s exports fell 26.1% to 12,214 units, while Jiangsu Yueda Kia, GAC Trumpchi, and SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle saw drops of 49.0%, 26.7%, and 59.1% respectively. Influenced by shifting trade policies, tariff adjustments, and intensifying competition, the export structure in North America is increasingly divergent.Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to Central and South AmericaNO.1 BYD: BYD exported 206,171 units to Central and South America, surging 150.1% year on year.NO.2 Chery: Chery shipped 84,412 units to the region, up 64.0% annually.NO.3 Geely: Geely exported 62,120 units to Central and South America, surging 426.4% year on year.NO.4 Great Wall Motor: Great Wall shipped 52,078 units to the region, a 54.9% annual rise.NO.5 Jiangsu Yueda Kia: Yueda Kia exported 27,848 units to Central and South America, up 33.6% year on year.NO.6 Changan: Changan shipped 23,499 units to the region, climbing 304.9% annually.NO.7 JMC: JMC exported 20,325 units to Central and South America, a 109.1% year-on-year increase.NO.8 JAC Motors: JAC shipped 15,861 units to the region, surging 362.4% year on year.NO.9 SAIC-GM-Wuling: SGMW exported 15,367 units to Central and South America, up 98.7% annually.NO.10 SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle: SAIC Passenger shipped 14,990 units to the region, rising 114.3% year on year.The Top 10 for Central and South America reflects a landscape of "new energy leadership and comprehensive growth." BYD dominated with 206,171 units, a 150.1% surge, cementing its position as the region’s largest exporter. Chery followed with 84,412 units, leveraging its long-standing market presence, while Geely jumped to third with 62,120 units—a staggering 426.4% increase—demonstrating rapid market expansion.Central and South America has become a vital growth engine for Chinese automakers going global. Changan surged 304.9%, JAC Motors climbed 362.4%, and JMC rose 109.1%, all achieving rapid breakthroughs. Great Wall Motor, SAIC-GM-Wuling, and SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle also maintained strong momentum, further extending their regional influence.Overall, Central and South America has become a key market for Chinese brands’ global strategy. BYD has established a lead through new energy products, while traditional players like Chery, Geely, and Great Wall are deepening their presence through channels and product lineup. Emerging forces continue to rise, creating a multi-tiered competitive landscape. Notably, adjustments to Brazil’s new energy vehicle import policies are likely to reshape export models. As tariffs on fully built imports rise, Chinese brands may accelerate their shift toward CKD/SKD assembly and localized production.Top 10 Chinese Passenger Vehicle Exporters to the Middle EastNO.1 Chery: Chery exported 74,975 units to the Middle East, down 36.6% year on year.NO.2 BYD: BYD shipped 38,684 units to the Middle East, slipping 9.2% annually.NO.3 SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle: SAIC Passenger exported 21,526 units to the Middle East, falling 45.7% year on year.NO.4 Great Wall Motor: Great Wall shipped 19,517 units to the Middle East, up 17.1% from the previous year.NO.5 Changan: Changan exported 18,646 units to the Middle East, dropping 47.2% year on year.NO.6 Jiangsu Yueda Kia: Yueda Kia shipped 17,783 units to the Middle East, down 53.5% annually.NO.7 Geely: Geely exported 16,890 units to the Middle East, falling 59.2% year on year.NO.8 Karry: Karry shipped 10,924 units to the Middle East, up 1.8% year on year.NO.9 Beijing Hyundai: Beijing Hyundai exported 10,549 units to the Middle East, down 52.2% annually.NO.10 Yipai Technology: Yipai shipped 6,327 units to the Middle East, rising 30.3% year on year.Chery led the Middle East rankings with 74,975 units, though this represented a 36.6% decline, indicating pressure on traditional powerhouses. BYD ranked second with 38,684 units, down 9.2%, maintaining relative stability through its new energy portfolio. SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle took third with 21,526 units, but fell 45.7%.The competitive landscape in the Middle East is clearly diverging. Great Wall Motor was one of the few top brands to achieve growth, shipping 19,517 units—a 17.1% rise—showing strong resilience. In contrast, Changan, Geely, and Jiangsu Yueda Kia saw significant drops, with Geely falling 59.2% under clear market pressure.Some emerging brands made breakthroughs. Yipai Technology ranked tenth with 6,327 units, up 30.3%, marking it as one of the faster-growing new names on the list. Karry also maintained stable growth with a 1.8% rise. Overall, influenced by shifting regional demand and intensifying competition, the Middle East market is entering a structural adjustment phase, requiring Chinese automakers to rely on new energy products, localized operations, and brand building to find new growth avenues.—Recommended: 2026 Chinese Automaker Overseas Expansion Map—Click image for details
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