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According to Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute data, from Jan-May 2026, exports of Chinese passenger cars and new energy passenger cars continued to show high growth, but regional differentiation intensified further. Regarding passenger car exports, Brazil continued to hold the top spot, with Russia following closely, the two countries accounting for more than 40% of the total in the top ten; the European market performed steadily, achieving high growth; while the Latin America and Middle East markets entered a period of deep adjustment.
New energy passenger car exports performed even more strongly. Brazil led by a large margin, Belgium jumped to second place, highlighting its status as a European transit hub; the European market occupied five seats in the top ten. Among them, Italy and Germany achieved explosive breakthroughs with growth rates of 365.3% and 211.2% respectively, showing that Chinese new energy vehicles have successfully penetrated the heartland of traditional automotive powerhouse countries; additionally, Australia ranked fourth on the list and South Korea eighth, fully demonstrating the core competitiveness and diversified layout capabilities of Chinese new energy vehicles in both traditional automotive powerhouse countries and emerging markets.
TOP 10 Export Destination Countries for Chinese Passenger Cars (Jan-May 2026)
No. 1 Brazil, Jan-May 2026, exported 372,199 passenger cars to Brazil, cumulative year-on-year growth of 178.7%.
No. 2 Russia, Jan-May 2026, exported 350,641 passenger cars to Russia, cumulative year-on-year growth of 139.8%.
No. 3 United Kingdom, Jan-May 2026, exported 188,935 passenger cars to the UK, cumulative year-on-year growth of 82.0%.
No. 4 Australia, Jan-May 2026, exported 158,230 passenger cars to Australia, cumulative year-on-year growth of 59.2%.
No. 5 Belgium, Jan-May 2026, exported 156,364 passenger cars to Belgium, cumulative year-on-year growth of 26.6%.
No. 6 Italy, Jan-May 2026, exported 123,214 passenger cars to Italy, cumulative year-on-year growth of 140.7%.
No. 7 United Arab Emirates, Jan-May 2026, exported 119,179 passenger cars to UAE, cumulative year-on-year decline of 32.6%.
No. 8 Mexico, Jan-May 2026, exported 113,642 passenger cars to Mexico, cumulative year-on-year decline of 40.0%.
No. 9 Spain, Jan-May 2026, exported 94,452 passenger cars to Spain, cumulative year-on-year growth of 56.0%.
No. 10 Malaysia, Jan-May 2026, exported 78,599 passenger cars to Malaysia, cumulative year-on-year growth of 26.9%.
From Jan-May 2026, the landscape of Chinese passenger car export destinations continued to evolve. Brazil maintained the top spot with 372,199 units and a 178.7% year-on-year growth, further consolidating its status as the No. 1 export market. Russia ranked second with 350,641 units and a 139.8% year-on-year growth, showing strong demand for Chinese vehicles.
In terms of regional distribution, the European market showed overall growth. The United Kingdom firmly ranked third with 188,935 units and 82.0% year-on-year growth. Belgium (156,364 units), Italy (123,214 units), and Spain (94,452 units) all achieved year-on-year growth, with Italy's growth reaching as high as 140.7%, reflecting the continuous breakthroughs of Chinese brands in new energy product import and channel construction in Europe. If Russia is included in the European regional consideration, the proportion of the European market in Chinese passenger car exports exceeds half, becoming the absolute core. However, the European market still faces uncertainties in policy environment, trade barriers, and local competition; future growth leans more towards structural opportunities.
The Latin American market showed obvious polarization. Brazil ranked at the top with over 370,000 units and 178.7% year-on-year growth, benefiting from early volume increase before tariff hikes in July. In contrast, Mexican exports declined by 40.0% year-on-year, related to tariff increases effective from Jan 2026, compounded by tightening North American trade policies and adjustments in market expectations, leading to significant demand contraction. This differentiation indicates that the performance of Chinese car companies in the Latin American region is influenced by tariff, trade policy cycles, and local market environments of each country, making operating fluctuations caused by country differences very prominent.
The Middle East market entered an adjustment phase. UAE (119,179 units) declined by 32.6% year-on-year, leaving behind the previous high-speed growth. Regarding the Asia-Pacific market, Australia (158,230 units) grew by 59.2% year-on-year, ranking fourth; Malaysia (78,599 units) grew by 26.9% year-on-year, ranking tenth, showing that the potential of Southeast Asian and Oceania markets is continuously being released. Overall, Chinese passenger car exports are transitioning from relying on a few hotspot markets to a new stage where multiple regions bear pressure together and the structure is becoming increasingly diverse; growth drivers are shifting from quantity expansion to a deeper contest of product strength and brand recognition.
TOP 10 Export Destination Countries for Chinese "New Energy" Passenger Cars (Jan-May 2026)
No. 1 Brazil, Jan-May 2026, exported 283,182 new energy passenger cars to Brazil, cumulative year-on-year growth of 175.6%.
No. 2 Belgium, Jan-May 2026, exported 150,110 new energy passenger cars to Belgium, cumulative year-on-year growth of 25.8%.
No. 3 United Kingdom, Jan-May 2026, exported 129,807 new energy passenger cars to the UK, cumulative year-on-year growth of 81.4%.
No. 4 Australia, Jan-May 2026, exported 111,406 new energy passenger cars to Australia, cumulative year-on-year growth of 168.2%.
No. 5 Italy, Jan-May 2026, exported 67,043 new energy passenger cars to Italy, cumulative year-on-year growth of 365.3%.
No. 6 Germany, Jan-May 2026, exported 65,235 new energy passenger cars to Germany, cumulative year-on-year growth of 211.2%.
No. 7 Thailand, Jan-May 2026, exported 62,316 new energy passenger cars to Thailand, cumulative year-on-year growth of 62.8%.
No. 8 South Korea, Jan-May 2026, exported 60,488 new energy passenger cars to South Korea, cumulative year-on-year growth of 170.3%.
No. 9 Spain, Jan-May 2026, exported 56,953 new energy passenger cars to Spain, cumulative year-on-year growth of 74.9%.
No. 10 United Arab Emirates, Jan-May 2026, exported 53,135 new energy passenger cars to UAE, cumulative year-on-year growth of 45.7%.
From Jan-May 2026, the landscape of Chinese new energy passenger car export destinations changed significantly. Brazil maintained the top spot with 283,182 units and a 175.6% year-on-year growth, further expanding its lead, with new energy becoming the absolute main force for Chinese car exports to Brazil. Belgium leaped to second place with 150,110 units and 25.8% year-on-year growth, highlighting its strategic value as a European new energy transit hub. The United Kingdom ranked third with 129,807 units and 81.4% year-on-year growth, followed closely by Australia with 111,406 units and a 168.2% surge year-on-year, showing that electrification demand in the Oceania market is accelerating.
In terms of regional distribution, the European market showed an overall explosive trend. Including Belgium and the UK, Italy (67,043 units) grew by 365.3% year-on-year, Germany (65,235 units) grew by 211.2% year-on-year, and Spain (56,953 units) grew by 74.9% year-on-year, with growth rates far exceeding the average. Among them, the amazing increases in Italy and Germany show that Chinese new energy vehicles have successfully penetrated the heartland of traditional automotive powerhouse countries, with product strength and brand recognition achieving substantial breakthroughs. However, the European market still faces policy uncertainties such as carbon tariffs and anti-subsidy investigations; future growth relies more on deep integration into local supply chains.
The Asian market is blossoming in multiple points. Thailand (62,316 units) grew by 62.8% year-on-year. As a stronghold of Southeast Asian EV industry, Chinese brands continue to deepen their efforts through localized production layouts. South Korea (60,488 units) grew by 170.3% year-on-year, entering the top ten for the first time, reflecting significantly improved competitiveness of Chinese new energy vehicles in East Asian neighboring countries. Regarding the Middle East market, UAE (53,135 units) grew by 45.7% year-on-year, with new energy becoming a new growth point in this region.
Overall, Chinese new energy passenger car exports have entered a new stage, with market coverage extending from emerging economies to traditional automotive powerhouse countries. Growth dynamics have shifted from price advantages to a deeper contest of technical strength and brand premium. In the future, how to maintain sustainable growth under the intensification of trade barriers and requirements for local production will be a common challenge facing Chinese new energy vehicle companies.
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