Racing overseas, Chinese NEVs drive the world towards green, shared growth

Chinese automakers are expanding their international presence through increased exports and the establishment of overseas manufacturing facilities. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China exported 7.153 million vehicles in the first eight months of 2026, a 66.7 percent increase compared to the previous year. This figure includes 3.435 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), representing a 1.2-fold increase.

In Spain, a partnership between Chinese automaker Chery and Spanish firm EV Motors has revived the Ebro brand, creating approximately 1,000 local jobs. Chery also inaugurated a manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, South Africa, in July, which the company expects will support nearly 3,000 jobs across the supply chain. South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile stated that the investment is expected to facilitate technology transfer and strengthen the country’s industrial capacity.

In Brazil, BYD has established a production facility in the state of Bahia. As of July, the plant employed 5,500 workers, 86 percent of whom are local residents. The company aims for local suppliers to provide more than 50 percent of components by 2027, with projections that the facility will support 20,000 direct and indirect jobs once fully operational.

Market analysts note that Chinese NEV brands are gaining traction in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Ron Zheng, a senior partner at Roland Berger, attributed this growth to the affordability and performance features of Chinese vehicles in emerging markets. In Malaysia, the introduction of premium brands like Zeekr has shifted consumer perceptions regarding the quality and technology of Chinese-manufactured vehicles.

Industry experts suggest that these investments contribute to the global energy transition. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that the global electric vehicle fleet displaced approximately 1.7 million barrels of oil demand per day in 2025. Zhu Yifang, deputy chief engineer at the China Automotive Strategy and Policy Research Center, stated that the Chinese NEV industry provides an alternative to high-cost green transition paths.

While Chinese automakers continue to expand, Roland Berger forecasts that overseas sales of Chinese passenger car brands will reach approximately 10 million units by 2030, with local manufacturing accounting for more than half of that volume. Wan Gang, honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology, stated that China aims to share its automotive developments to address global challenges such as emissions and affordable mobility.

Article and image source: brazilsun.com