According to data released on January 27 by Cui Dongshu, Secretary General of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), China exported 625,200 vehicles to Mexico in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 180,500 units. Mexico has surpassed Russia to become the largest destination for China’s automobile exports.

Data show that China’s total vehicle exports reached 8.32 million units in 2025, up 30% year on year. Among them, new energy vehicle (NEV) exports totaled 3.43 million units, marking a 70% increase compared with the previous year and significantly exceeding the 16% growth recorded in 2024. NEVs have become the primary driver of export growth.

In terms of market structure, China’s auto export landscape became increasingly diversified in 2025, with the share of exports to the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe continuing to rise. The top ten export destinations by volume were Mexico, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Australia, the Philippines, and Kazakhstan.

From the perspective of incremental growth, the United Arab Emirates recorded the fastest growth in China’s auto exports in 2025, with an increase of 241,700 units year on year, followed by Mexico with an increase of 180,500 units.

Since surpassing Japan in 2023, China has remained the world’s largest automobile exporter for three consecutive years. The proportion of NEVs in total exports has continued to increase, with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid models emerging as new growth drivers, particularly in the commercial vehicle segment.

In the NEV export market, the top five destinations in 2025 were Belgium, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, and the Philippines. Among them, NEV exports to Mexico, the UAE, and the UK recorded rapid growth.

In addition, China’s average vehicle export price declined to USD 16,000 in 2025, down from 2023 and 2024 levels. Cui Dongshu noted that this change was mainly driven by adjustments in the export vehicle mix.

According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China’s automobile production and sales reached 34.531 million units and 34.40 million units respectively in 2025, setting new historical highs. NEV production and sales exceeded 16 million units, with NEVs accounting for more than 50% of domestic new vehicle sales.

Looking ahead to 2026, CAAM expects China’s automotive market to maintain stable overall performance, with total production and sales projected to reach 34.75 million units. Meanwhile, with continued progress in overseas capacity deployment, technological development, and market diversification strategies, China’s auto exports are expected to maintain growth momentum, while facing challenges from trade barriers, supply chain risks, and intensified global competition.