In May 2026, China's new energy passenger vehicle wholesale reached 1.36 million units, up 24.7% YoY and 10.2% MoM. PHEV models led the growth, with market penetration exceeding 52%. For Central Asian and Russian buyers, this signals abundant supply and diverse export model choices.
Chinese domestic automakers face a structural contradiction: sales volumes rise while profit margins shrink. Despite BYD, Geely, and Chery posting strong sales, industry-wide profitability continues to decline. Price wars, raw material costs, and R&D investments are compressing margins, with some brands now losing money on every vehicle sold.
Counterpoint data shows global electric vehicle sales in Q3 2025 grew 32% year-over-year. Battery electric vehicles (BEV) continued to dominate, accounting for 2/3 of total EV sales, with BEV sales up 32% year-over-year. BEV penetration reached a new milestone this quarter, accounting for 18% of global passenger vehicle sales, up from 14% in the same period last year. China remains the key growth engine, contributing 60% of global BEV total sales. At model level, Tesla Model Y, Geely Galaxy Xingyuan and Tesla Model 3 became the quarter's best-selling EVs globally.
China's NEV production and sales have ranked first globally for ten consecutive years, with exports exceeding 2 million units in 2025. For buyers in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, understanding procurement processes, certification requirements, and logistics is key to risk reduction. This article covers the full chain from vehicle selection to delivery.
Stellantis and Dongfeng Group announced a European joint venture with 51:49 stakes, responsible for Voyah brand sales in Europe and potential production at Stellantis' Rennes plant in France. This marks a leap from whole-vehicle export to localized production for Chinese automakers.
In Jan-Apr 2026, China exported 1.384 million NEVs, up 120% YoY; total vehicle exports reached 3.127 million, up 61.5%. Chery, BYD, Geely, Changan, and Great Wall all scored significant overseas growth.
Changan sold 207,150 vehicles in April, with NEV sales of 55,275 units (+9.38% YoY). Overseas sales reached 89,794 units, accounting for 43.3% of total volume. NEV became the only growth segment. Avatr, Deepal, and Qiyuan brands cover the full price spectrum from 200K to 600K yuan.
Kyrgyzstan's 2026 annual quota of 15,000 duty-free NEV imports is now in effect through year-end or until exhausted. The policy provides a compliant customs channel for Chinese OEMs re-exporting to Russia via the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), with BYD, Chery, and Geely as primary beneficiaries.
Geely Automobile sold 83,186 vehicles overseas in April, up 245% year-over-year, marking the fourth consecutive month of doubling. NEV exports accounted for 58.8%, with simultaneous expansion into Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, signaling a shift from "volume export" to "value export."
In April 2026, Yutong Bus delivered 120 NEV buses to major Kazakh cities (Almaty, Astana, Shymkent), while Yuchai-powered CNG/LNG heavy-duty trucks simultaneously entered Central Asian markets. This marks the shift of Chinese NEV commercial vehicle exports from "single-point breakthrough" to "industry chain coordinated overseas expansion," providing complete solutions for Central Asian bus electrification.
Chery Automobile and Japanese automotive giant AUTOBACS have formed a joint venture to produce and sell pure electric vehicles in Japan. Headquartered in Singapore with Chery holding 26.91%, this marks another Chinese OEM entering the world's fourth-largest auto market through localized partnership after BYD. BYD sold 4,536 NEVs in Japan in 2025, while Zeekr and GAC Aion also plan summer 2026 entry.
In Q1 2026, Russia reclaimed its position as China's top auto export destination with 186,800 units, up 97.1% year-on-year. This strong rebound marks Chinese OEMs' transition in the Russian market from an "inventory clearance" phase to "structural recovery." Brazil followed with 166,800 units, surging 242.8% year-on-year. Chery, GWM, and Geely are transforming Russia's trade barriers into drivers for localized upgrades through KD assembly and local partnerships.
BYD's Uzbekistan factory has crossed the 8,000-unit monthly production threshold, with local supply chain participation rising to 35%. BYD's largest production base in Central Asia is transitioning from capacity ramp-up to stable mass production, providing a replicable template for Chinese OEM overseas plant operations.
Chery has completed the first Tiggo 8 Pro roll-off at its new Almaty, Kazakhstan plant, with a planned annual capacity of 100,000 units. This represents Chery's largest vehicle manufacturing base in Central Asia, marking the operational phase of Chinese OEM localization in the region.
South Africa’s automotive association reports Chinese OEMs captured 16.8% of the passenger vehicle market in 2025, up from 11.2%, with 15 Chinese brands now present.
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