China overtakes Japan as world’s top exporter of new cars – 1.07 million vehicles in first quarter of 2023

China overtakes Japan as world’s top exporter of new cars – 1.07 million vehicles in first quarter of 2023

According to a report by Nikkei Asia, China has managed to overtake Japan as the world’s top exporter of new cars in the first quarter of 2023. Referring to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), exports grew by 58% from January to March to hit 1.07 million units.

By comparison, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) revealed Japan exported 950,000 vehicles during the same period, which represents a 6% year-on-year (YoY) increase. China is also the world’s largest market for new vehicles after surpassing the United States in 2009.

The Chinese government has also been pushing to expand its domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry through incentives. This initiative aided China’s rise as an automotive exporting power of electrified cars, and in Q1 2023, exports of new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include EVs, climbed 93% YoY to 380,000 units.

Belgium, Australia and Thailand were the biggest importers of Chinese-made NEVs. By company, Tesla’s China arm was the top exporter of NEVs with 90,000 units, followed by SAIC Motor with 50,000 units and BYD at 30,000 units.

Meanwhile, Russia was the top export destination for all Chinese-made vehicles in Q1 2023 with 140,000 units, more than triple when compared to a year earlier. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Toyota, Volkswagen and other automakers shut down Russian factories and exited the market, with Chinese automakers filling the void.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Celup King on May 23, 2023 at 1:05 pm

    Habeslahh soon Jepun akan jual to China! Hahahaha!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 13
    • Paul Chan on May 23, 2023 at 1:52 pm

      you’re wrong. because the Chinese dont actually need Japanese tech. Why buy something outdated?

      The chinese has already surpassed japanese. Japanese are too slow (stubborn) to adapt change. lately, scandals on regulation tests keep surfacing with “trusted” japanese car makers.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 38 Thumb down 5
      • Tortilla on May 23, 2023 at 2:31 pm

        Just like the American and European cars,
        Long time not no,1 already.

        The western so slow (stubborn) to adapt change.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 6
        • Chips biskut on May 23, 2023 at 2:39 pm

          we dont buy american cars here (except Tesla).
          European cars are also mere collectibles at this point. So yes, they have failed to be relevant to Malaysians.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 8
    • Syamsul on May 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm

      China are clever in trade. They will not buy Japanese companies that is not beneficial to their business. They buy Proton also because of Lotus. They wanted Lotus, and Proton’s share were forced upon Geely.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 3
      • Mamak basi on May 23, 2023 at 2:39 pm

        Yalah, if not for Lotus, Proton would be so debt-ridden and probably dead now.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 5
        • Globo on May 23, 2023 at 4:14 pm

          Lotus sold 1710 cars in 2021. Not in Malaysia, but worldwide.
          Nobody in the world cares for Lotus, besides some hardcore sportscar fans.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
      • Globo on May 23, 2023 at 4:10 pm

        Lotus sold 1710 cars in 2021. Do you really think that Geely spend so much money only to get a tiny niche manufacturer?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • VW and peugeot is not clever because they didnt want lotus?

        in fact, nobody wants lotus. it was sold to toyota and let go by toyota….

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • pravda on May 23, 2023 at 2:26 pm

      Thank you, comrade. You can trust zhongguo gongchandang to be victorious over the nihon shihonka.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
    • AutoFrenz (the original) on May 23, 2023 at 5:02 pm

      Those who like and prefer chinese cars by all means you can buy them…nobody’s stopping you, but those who still have doubts better opt for something else, it’s a matter of choice and trust…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 8
      • SmartConsumer on May 24, 2023 at 11:05 am

        Got the BYD. Best car for the money ever. No regrets.On paper BYD said max range is 400km, but went upto 443km no problem. Love how the under promised but over deliver. Never seen that with any other company before

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • newme on May 23, 2023 at 1:08 pm

    well, its inevitable.
    just like Chinese electronics has taken over the world.
    EV’s are just larger electronics product today, so Chinese gonna take over as well. not suprising.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 2
    • pravda on May 23, 2023 at 2:53 pm

      Yes, comrade. Trust Zhongguo Gongchandang to beat these bourgeois capitalists at their own game.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 8
  • mamakthir on May 23, 2023 at 1:13 pm

    despite all the rejection from malaysian drivers (coz we B40), EV will continue to take over the automotive scene, replacing our old fossil burners. The longer we reject this change, the further we will lag behind other countries.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 7
  • President Xi on May 23, 2023 at 1:39 pm

    China numba one!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 9
    • Najib Nazak on May 23, 2023 at 1:49 pm

      of course lah, takkan Malaysia numba one?
      Kita numba 10 pun tak dapat.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 1
      • Perada on May 23, 2023 at 3:33 pm

        dont say that so loud. Some Talibans cannot accept that Maresia is a nobody. Self inflated importance and arrogance only. katak bawah tempurung.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
        • PH Supporter on May 23, 2023 at 6:12 pm

          Maresia did not get numba one in SEA Games, ini semua salah PH Gomen. Sekian.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • Ahmad Zahid on May 23, 2023 at 3:45 pm

        Who cares about Malaysia. The most corrupt country. All heil China!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 6
    • pravda on May 23, 2023 at 2:46 pm

      Zhongguo Gongchandang salutes The Great Leader!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
      • still better than Taliban right?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
        • pravda on May 23, 2023 at 3:35 pm

          Iran & Saudi has already followed Zhongguo Gongchandang’s lead towards peace & prosperity. Don’t worry, comrade. Afghan will eventually follow.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
  • Economist on May 23, 2023 at 1:41 pm

    As 90% of the battery production is in chinese hands, it’s no wonder at all.
    Chinese EV manufacturers pay less for their batteries due to gouvernment subsidies and foreign manufacturers are forced to pay more.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • Kamarul Dewi on May 23, 2023 at 1:49 pm

      in fact, Chinese EV battery tech has surpassed every other western tech. Even Tesla is buying Chinese battery tech to be used in their new models now.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 2
    • Mike Tee on May 23, 2023 at 2:51 pm

      Most early automobiles produced in Japan were produced under government subsidies also. Japan benefited from a large domestic market and found their feet and is where they are now.

      China benefits from the biggest car market in the world and their automakers will find their feet too (if they have not already) and without unfair sanctions will dominate the car industry.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Globo on May 23, 2023 at 4:02 pm

        Actually, for imported cars hefty import fees have to be paid in China. It’s only a matter of time until the US and the EU will strike back on that.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • seancorr on May 23, 2023 at 1:46 pm

    When you go to any country in the world you will see 3 things from China. Chinese made goods, Chinese EVs and Chinese tourists.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • milesmorales on May 23, 2023 at 1:54 pm

      and when you say you’re from Malaysia…
      People will only think about 1MDB.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 0
    • Squid on May 23, 2023 at 3:43 pm

      Whenever you scratch your b…s you’ll probably touch something made in China.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • talkcock on May 23, 2023 at 2:08 pm

    china can get ev from 30-40k ….here all talk cock only…what else bullshit wanna talk

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • AP permit on May 23, 2023 at 2:33 pm

      we should remove all these nonsensical AP permit.
      let local carmakers (p1 p2) compete in the global stage.
      If their cars are garbage, then let them get punished by poor sales. We as consumers simply dont care. We can only gain from a healthy competition.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
      • Kea Was on May 23, 2023 at 2:49 pm

        Like your idea but Malaysia got 3rd Best Crony Capitalism in the world not without merits because there are lots of free loaders to feed over the years while it makes us less competitive than our neighbors.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
      • Globo on May 23, 2023 at 4:44 pm

        Are you talking about China now (hefty import fees for imported cars or forced joint venture production in China)?
        China is THE example for a closed car market worldwide?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 4
  • CHINA benefit from Russia sanction on May 23, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    EU, Japan OUT
    China IN

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
  • be honest on May 23, 2023 at 3:31 pm

    frankly, we can dislike China all we want. Shouting through loudspeakers and in political ceramah. but NOBODY CARE because on the global stage we are nobodies. We can forever syok sendiri thinking we are somebodies, but we just aren’t. If Malaysia disappears from the map, most people wont even realize it.

    China is dominating the market. accept it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
  • Forester Chow on May 23, 2023 at 5:33 pm

    That mean next year champions league woohoo

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Taiwan country on May 23, 2023 at 6:11 pm

    Chinese car can be good (sometimes). The only bad thing about it is that most chinese car company are majority owned by an authoritarian regime that practices enthnic cleansing and conduct ip theft on a daily basis. But it’s ok if you turn a blind eye to it and got a slightly cheaper car.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 11
    • YouSheep on May 24, 2023 at 11:07 am

      China is authoritarian but yet their governent has more than 80% approval from their people? Is that your logic or are you repeating yourself like a parrot what the US media is trying to fool you with? Your logic is laughable..hahaha. Name me 1 democratic country with that approval rating other than Russia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3
      • pravda on May 24, 2023 at 8:32 pm

        Thank you, comrade, for voicing your support for Zhongguo Gongchandang, which actually has official 100% approval rating of proud citizens, on par with Bukjoseon Rodongdang & Dang Cong san Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Russia is undergoing transformation into a democratic republic as its president proves that he has not abandoned his revolutionary spirit of the working class from the Soviet era.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Glory glory man utd

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
 

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