In April 2026, Chery exported 177,600 vehicles setting a new monthly record, while BYD overseas sales exceeded 130,000 units for the first time with 70.9% year-over-year growth. Both brands target 1.5 million overseas sales in 2026.
April 2026 export data reveals Chery leading with 177,600 units—a new monthly record for Chinese brands. BYD crossed 130,000 overseas units for the first time, up 70.9% YoY, with 454,000+ cumulative exports in Jan-Apr. Geely surged 245% YoY. Both Chery and BYD have set 2026 export targets at 1.5 million units.
Latest 2026 data shows Chinese brand passenger vehicles now hold 40% market share in Russia, making China the largest brand camp in the country. This means 4 out of every 10 new cars sold are Chinese. Chery, Haval, Geely and Changan have established deep roots through KD assembly and localized operations, while Japanese and Korean brands continue to retreat. For Central Asian and Russian buyers, the choice space, after-sales network and product iteration speed of Chinese cars have fundamentally changed.
Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) shows that China's vehicle exports reached 2.226 million units in Q1 2026, a year-over-year increase of 56.7%, setting a new historical record for the same period. Russia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are the primary growth engines, with NEV export share rising to 38%. This data confirms the leap of China's automotive export from "quantitative change" to "qualitative change," with global supply chains undergoing structural restructuring.
In Q1 2026, China's auto exports reached 1.26 million units, up 24.5% YoY, surpassing Japan (~1.18M) for the first time to become the world's largest auto exporter. Chery led with 390K units, followed by BYD and Geely. NEV export share rose to 34.8%, with Central Asia, Middle East, and Europe contributing over 60% of incremental volume.
China's auto export landscape is undergoing deep restructuring in 2026. The Russian market has visibly declined due to scrappage tax hikes and tariff barriers, while Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are accelerating to fill the gap. Export product mix is shifting from low-end ICE to premium NEV, with local production ratio surpassing 35%. This article maps four major shifts for overseas buyers.
In 2026, Chery and BYD are fiercely contesting the "Chinese Auto Overseas Sales Champion" title. Chery leverages its global product matrix and first-mover advantage in RHD markets to spread wide; BYD builds brand recognition in mature markets through NEV technology depth and premium positioning. The Q1 gap narrowed to under 30,000 units, leaving the annual crown highly uncertain. This article breaks down the duel across sales structure, market layout, and product strategy.
In April 2026, China's automobile exports reached 901,000 units, surging 74.4% year-over-year, providing strong support to the overall market. Chery, BYD, and SAIC ranked top three in exports, while Geely's export volume soared 210% YoY. CAAM noted that with domestic sales down 2.5%, exports have become the core growth engine for Chinese automakers.
BYD's March 2026 sales exceeded 300,000 units, with overseas exports surging 65.2% year-over-year, leading the globalization of Chinese auto brands. Central Asia, Russia, and Southeast Asia have become the three fastest-growing export markets.
In April 2025, Russia's new vehicle sales grew 15.1% year-on-year, continuing a steady recovery trend. Chinese brands now command over 50% of the market share as their operating models transition from pure CBU exports to localized KD assembly. This report analyzes the drivers behind the market recovery and offers practical advice on localization and payment settlements for exporters.
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