- China exported 5.31 million vehicles in H1 2026, up 53% year‑over‑year, hitting a record pace.
- Vehicle export value climbed to $91.8 billion in H1, rising 54% and outpacing volume growth.
- Growth is shifting to higher‑value models and NEVs as exports and parts shipments gain momentum.
On July 14, the CPCA Secretary General released China’s June 2026 auto export data.
China’s automotive exports continued their rapid expansion in the first half of 2026, with June shipments hitting a record monthly high.
China exported 1.069M vehicles in June, up 73% year over year. Shipments also increased 8% from May.
For the first half of 2026, total vehicle exports reached 5.31M units, rising 53% year over year and significantly exceeding previous years’ levels.
Monthly export momentum remained strong throughout the first half. Exports climbed from around 800K units in January to 1.07M units in June, with only a slight pullback in February.
Compared with previous years, every month in 2026 surpassed the same period from 2022 to 2025. Monthly export growth remained above 37% year over year, pushing first-half exports to a record level.
Export value also continued rising alongside shipment growth. China’s vehicle export value reached $18.23B in June, up 70% year over year and 9% month over month. During the first half, export value totaled $91.8B, increasing 54% year over year.
The faster growth in export value compared with export volume highlights a continued rise in average export prices. The shift reflects a higher share of new energy vehicles, premium models, and higher-value products in China’s overseas expansion.
June export value growth also broke the seasonal trend seen between 2022 and 2025, when June month-on-month increases typically weakened.
Historical data shows China’s export momentum strengthened significantly in 2026. From 2019 to 2025, first-half export growth fluctuated widely. Growth began slowing after 2023, before rebounding sharply to 53% in 2026.
June marked another turning point, delivering month-on-month growth after three consecutive years of June declines. The improvement points to stronger resilience in overseas demand for Chinese vehicles.
Export value growth also returned to a high-growth track. In the first half of 2025, vehicle export value growth stood at just 8%. A year later, the figure surged to 54%, returning to levels last seen in 2023.
China’s auto export expansion is shifting from volume-driven growth toward higher-value global sales.
Auto parts exports reached $9.78B in June, up 19% year over year and 12% month over month.
From January to June, total auto parts exports reached $51.3B, up 7% year over year, marking a slight recovery in growth compared with the same period last year.
Unlike the month-on-month declines recorded during the same period from 2023 to 2025, auto parts exports posted positive month-on-month growth in June this year.
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