China's Auto Exports Surge 29.5% YoY in April 2026, Imports Drop 19.5%

In April 2026, China's total import and export value of automotive products reached USD 28.09 billion, up 16.2% month-over-month and 21.6% year-over-year. Specifically, imports amounted to USD 2.98 billion, an increase of 10.9% month-over-month but a decline of 19.5% year-over-year; exports totaled USD 25.11 billion, rising 16.8% month-over-month and 29.5% year-over-year. From January to April 2026, China’s cumulative import and export value of automotive products reached USD 103.46 billion, an increase of 26.4% year-over-year. Of this, imports totaled USD 12.25 billion, down 7.7% year-over-year, while exports reached USD 91.21 billion, up 32.9% year-over-year. In 2025, China produced and sold 34.531 million and 34.4 million vehicles respectively, representing year-over-year growth of 10.4% and 9.4%, maintaining its position as the world’s largest automotive market for the 17th consecutive year. Among these, new energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales exceeded 16 million units, accounting for more than 50% of total domestic new vehicle sales. In the same year, China exported 7.098 million vehicles, ranking first globally, including 2.615 million NEVs—an increase of 100% year-over-year. On May 13, 2026, He Yi, Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, stated that China’s automotive exports in 2026 are expected to surpass 10 million units.