China's Passenger and NEV Exports (Jan–Apr 2026): Brazil Tops Destination List, Multiple European Countries Enter NEV Top 10

From January to April 2026, China's passenger vehicle exports continued to grow, with a significant shift in export destination patterns. Brazil emerged as China’s top export market for the first time, surpassing Russia, with exports totaling 285,960 units—a year-on-year increase of 226.1%. Russia ranked second with 261,405 units exported, up 107.3% year-on-year, followed by the UK in third place with 150,979 units, an increase of 99.3%. Other major export destinations included Belgium (130,277 units, +40.3%), the UAE (113,103 units, -13.2%), Australia (108,343 units, +48.7%), Italy (92,457 units, +121.2%), Mexico (78,983 units, -46.6%), Spain (71,348 units, +49.8%), and Malaysia (60,393 units, +27.5%). During the same period, exports of China’s new energy passenger vehicles (NEVs) showed even stronger momentum. Brazil also topped the NEV export rankings, with shipments reaching 218,096 units, a surge of 220.9% year-on-year. Belgium (125,990 units, +41.7%) and the UK (105,094 units, +108.3%) followed in second and third places, respectively. Other countries in the top ten included Germany (53,776 units, +295.0%), Italy (52,590 units, +460.7%), Australia (68,969 units, +115.7%), South Korea (47,815 units, +282.5%), the UAE (50,199 units, +78.2%), Spain (43,269 units, +80.6%), and Thailand (37,057 units, +18.4%). Regionally, Europe played a pivotal role in China’s NEV exports, accounting for five of the top ten markets. In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia, South Korea, and Thailand all recorded varying degrees of growth. In the Middle East, the UAE maintained a relatively rapid growth pace. Latin America showed divergent trends: Brazil experienced substantial growth, while exports to Mexico declined sharply. Overall, China’s passenger vehicle and NEV exports are transitioning from reliance on single markets toward coordinated, multi-regional development.