BYD, Geely, and Chery lead the pack as June NEV exports surge 72% YoY
China’s automobile industry has reached another milestone. According to the latest data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), the country exported 134,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in June 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 72% and a month-on-month growth of 18%. It is the second consecutive month that China has set a new monthly export record, highlighting the growing global footprint of Chinese NEV brands.
Leading Players Shine Overseas
BYD remains the dominant force in NEV exports, with 38,000 units shipped in June alone, up 112% year-on-year. Popular models such as the Yuan PLUS (known overseas as the ATTO 3), the Seal, and the newly launched right-hand-drive Song L are gaining strong traction in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Geely came in second with 24,000 units exported, largely driven by the overseas delivery of its premium Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X models in countries like Norway and the Netherlands. Chery ranked third with 21,000 units, where its small EV model, the QQ Ice Cream, has topped Brazil’s micro-EV sales charts for three consecutive months.
Other brands, including GAC Aion, SAIC-GM-Wuling, XPeng, and Neta, are also making headway in different regions. Notably, XPeng has accelerated the international deployment of its full-stack intelligent driving technology. In addition to car sales, the company aims to open its XNGP smart driving platform to select overseas partners.
Strategy Shift: South and East Become Primary Battlegrounds
As European subsidies decline and regulatory challenges increase, Chinese NEV makers are strategically shifting their export focus to emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Nearly half of China’s NEV exports in the first half of 2025 were directed to these new regions.
Industry analysts believe this is a proactive adjustment rather than a passive response. “In many developing nations, Chinese EVs, with their affordability and advanced tech, have enabled consumers to leapfrog straight from no cars—or ICE vehicles—to EVs,” said one market observer.
Smart Features Become Core Competitiveness
Unlike the price-driven exports of previous years, today’s Chinese NEVs are undergoing a transformation toward high-end and intelligent features. In-house operating systems like BYD’s DiLink, XPeng’s XOS, and Zeekr OS support multi-language localization and frequent OTA updates, matching global standards.
In June, XPeng officially launched its first overseas OTA center in Bangkok, Thailand, enabling remote diagnostics, update push, and service scheduling. The company plans to establish a three-country OTA network covering Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore by the end of the year—laying the groundwork for future rollouts of Robotaxi services and XNGP L3-level features.
Government Support Strengthens the “Go Global” Push
Behind the robust export numbers is strong policy backing. In recent months, China’s Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the General Administration of Customs have held joint meetings to streamline NEV export procedures and optimize related tax and service policies.
Support measures include export credit insurance, overseas warehousing subsidies, and standardization of after-sales services. The Ministry of Transport has also announced plans to expand “NEV export express channels” at key ports such as Shanghai, Guangzhou Nansha, and Tianjin, ensuring faster vehicle loading and customs clearance.
Editorial: China’s NEVs Enter the Global Fast Lane
From product exports to brand exports, China’s NEV sector is entering a new phase of globalization. Despite looming challenges such as geopolitical risks, currency fluctuations, and potential trade barriers, China’s automakers have seized a valuable time window in the global EV race. The next step lies in solidifying long-term presence by continuing to lead in smart driving, user experience, and supply chain innovation.