Countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative have become the largest destination for China's automobile exports, with shipments to these markets continuing to grow rapidly amid the global expansion of Chinese automakers.
China's automobile exports to BRI countries reached $83.67 billion in value in the first half of 2026, up 30.8 percent year-on-year and accounting for 57.5 percent of China's total automobile export value, according to data compiled by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers based on figures from the General Administration of Customs.
During the January-June period, China exported 3.381 million complete vehicles to BRI markets, an increase of 48.1 percent from a year earlier. New energy vehicle exports reached 1.135 million units, rising 59.4 percent year-on-year.
The strong performance of BRI markets has made them a key driver of China's overseas auto expansion.
Export value to BRI countries reached $52.08 billion in the first four months of 2026, up 29.6 percent year-on-year, and climbed to $67 billion in the first five months, with growth accelerating further.
