China Was World’s Largest Auto Exporter in 2023 After NEVs Drove Up Shipments

China was the world’s top auto exporter last year, cementing its position after overtaking Japan as No. 1 earlier in 2023, thanks largely to strong demand for new-energy vehicles (NEVs), increased deliveries to Russia and escalating domestic competition that forced automakers to accelerate their overseas expansion.

China’s auto exports surged 57.9% year-on-year to 4.91 million cars, as reported by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) last month. By comparison, Japan exported 4.42 million vehicles in 2023, up 16% from a year earlier, according to data from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday.