China’s EV Exports Surge 100% in September as Automakers Seek Growth Abroad Amid Fierce Home Competition

China’s electric vehicle exports soared 100% year-on-year in September, reaching 222,000 units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The strong export figures highlight how Chinese automakers are accelerating expansion into global markets as the domestic industry becomes increasingly crowded.

Overall passenger car sales in China rose 11.2% last month, slower than the 15% growth recorded in August. Meanwhile, new energy vehicle exports which include battery EVs and plug-in hybrids maintained robust momentum, following August’s 224,000-unit record.

Analysts say automakers are increasingly relying on overseas sales to offset weakening profit margins at home, where an ongoing price war has squeezed earnings. A report from the Rhodium Group noted that in 2023, Chinese automakers invested more abroad than domestically for the first time since 2014.

BYD, China’s largest EV producer, reported that the United Kingdom has become its biggest market outside China, with sales there soaring 880% year-on-year in September. As trade barriers tighten in Europe and North America, Chinese manufacturers are also boosting investments in emerging regions such as the Middle East and Africa.

Domestically, the “Golden September” sales season brought mixed results. BYD’s domestic deliveries fell 5.5% from a year earlier, the company’s first decline since February 2024 - even as competitors continued to post gains. Industry experts attribute the uneven performance to waning subsidies for trade-in programs and growing fatigue among cost-conscious consumers.

China’s EV industry remains a global powerhouse, but its rapid expansion abroad reflects the challenges automakers face at home. As the world’s largest EV exporter, China is now balancing between maintaining domestic stability and navigating new trade restrictions overseas. With export momentum building and international competition heating up, the next phase of China’s EV growth story will likely be written on foreign roads.