A Time Is Coming When Many Will Drive Chinese Brands As A New Model Is Being Sold Every Second

China has once again confirmed its status as the world’s largest car market, for the 17th year in a row. Official data for 2025 show breaking all previous records, which clearly indicates that the local automotive industry has not yet reached its peak.

Data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) revealed that total production reached 34.53 million cars, an increase of 10.4%. At the same time, sales jumped to 34.4 million vehicles, i.e., by 9.4%. This practically means that in 2025, approximately one car was sold every second. However, what is most impressive is not just the huge volumes of production and sales but also the speed with which Chinese companies are switching to so-called “new energy vehicles” (NEVs).

China exports more cars than Japan

This category includes electric cars, plug-in hybrids, and extended-range electric vehicles. The NEV vehicle segment recorded growth of as much as 28.2% compared to the previous year, and China is celebrating 11 consecutive years as the world leader in electric mobility, with no real competition. A total of 16.49 million NEVs were sold between January and December of last year, bringing their market share to 47.9%. This means that almost half of all new cars sold in China during 2025 had some form of electrified powertrain.

A sharp increase in Chinese car sales abroad is also noticeable. In 2025, exports increased by 21.1%, for the first time exceeding the limit of 7 million vehicles. The statistics leave no room for doubt—China now exports more cars than Japan, which seemed unthinkable until recently. Exports of electric cars and plug-in hybrids doubled in just one year, reaching 2.61 million units. Thus, China no longer only produces cheaply, but produces what the world wants, and at a speed that Europe cannot keep up with.

Chery remains China’s largest exporter, with 1.34 million cars shipped overseas. Domestic brands are riding high, while joint ventures (alliances with Western brands) are forced to turn to exports to keep their factories running as they lose share in the Chinese domestic market. CAAM has already released its forecasts for 2026, and there are no signs of slowing down. NEV sales are expected to reach 19 million units, which would increase their market share to over 54%. In total sales, the number of registered vehicles is expected to exceed 35 million.

• Also See: China And The EU Agree On Measures To Settle Their Dispute Over EV Import