Foreign carmakers that have been losing market share to local rivals in China have boosted exports from the world's largest auto market, accounting for more than a fifth of the country's total vehicle exports last year, industry data showed.
China is estimated to have overtaken Japan as the world's largest auto exporter in 2023, thanks largely to the strength of nimble local companies such as Chery, SAIC, Geely and BYD .
But 18 foreign brands, led by Tesla, also exported 910 000 cars from China last year, accounting for 22% of the total 4.1 million units of China car exports, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed.
Tesla alone exported 344,000 EVs from its Shanghai plant, its biggest factory worldwide, to Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Ford Motor and General Motors were also among the biggest exporters, with their combined exports rising 21% from 2022.
Legacy foreign brands are now adjusting their China strategy to boost exports.
Ford, for example, exported 69% of its Territory SUV, which was developed specifically for the China market, last year.
South Korea's Kia Corp more than doubled its China exports last year to send the majority of its China car output outside the country. Japanese and German brands also boosted exports from China.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is introducing Hilux Custom Builds, a fully integrated conversion programme that adds professionally engineered, purpose-built solutions directly to the Toyota product offering.
BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, is preparing for a major international push, aiming to sell as many as 1.6 million cars outside its home market next year.
The global filtration manufacturer MANN+HUMMEL has announced a donation of R100 000 to the non-profit organisation Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA) to fund its projects that tackle key environmental issues, including food security, urban greening, and environmental sustainability.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is introducing Hilux Custom Builds, a fully integrated conversion programme that adds professionally engineered, purpose-built solutions directly to the Toyota product offering.
The global filtration manufacturer MANN+HUMMEL has announced a donation of R100 000 to the non-profit organisation Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA) to fund its projects that tackle key environmental issues, including food security, urban greening, and environmental sustainability.
Volkswagen Group has delayed signing off on its multi-billion-euro investment programme, according to reports from German daily Bild.
