China's automobile exports experienced robust growth in the first half of 2026, with new energy vehicles emerging as a major driving force, particularly in markets participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), industry data showed.
From January to June, China exported 1.135 million NEVs to BRI partner countries, representing a remarkable year-on-year increase of 59.4 percent, according to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs compiled by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
During the same period, the total export value of automotive products to these regions reached $83.67 billion, up 30.8 percent year-on-year. This accounted for 57.5 percent of the country's total auto product exports. In terms of volume, exports of completely built-up (CBU) vehicles to BRI countries stood at 3.381 million units, jumping 48.1 percent from a year earlier.
This automotive export boom aligns with the broader strengthening of trade ties. GAC data revealed that China's total imports and exports with BRI partner countries reached 12.97 trillion yuan in the first half of the year, growing by 14.8 percent and accounting for 50.9 percent of the nation's total foreign trade.
