Cui Dongshu: China's automobile exports increased by 50% from January to May, while exports of fuel motorcycles slowed down due to high fuel prices.

On June 20, Cui Dongshu wrote that China's automobile exports reached $73.6 billion in January-May 2026, an increase of 50%. In May, automobile exports were $16.7 billion, up 39%, showing strong vitality. Automobile parts exports reached $41.5 billion in January-May 2026, up 5%. In May, automobile parts exports were $8.7 billion, up 5%. Motorcycle exports reached $8.9 billion in January-May 2026, up 23%. In May, motorcycle exports were $2.1 billion, an increase of 25%, but exports of fuel motorcycles slowed due to high oil prices. The performance of automobile exports is extremely outstanding. China's main export commodities are mechanical and electrical products, high-tech products, including electronic components and electronic technology, showing strong growth. In terms of single products, while the performance of mobile phones slightly declined from the high levels reached in the first five months of 2022, automobile exports grew by 50% in 2026, with lithium batteries also growing by 45%. Automobile parts also reached a historical high level. Export of lithium-ion batteries As an important competitive product of the new three categories, lithium batteries have excellent export performance, high profits, and a good market. Since Biden took office in 2020, the export performance of lithium batteries in China has been relatively excellent. In 2021, exports were only $28.4 billion, reaching $50.9 billion in 2022, and a high level of $64.9 billion in 2023, but declined by 6% in 2024. The export of lithium-ion batteries in 2025 reached $76.8 billion. From January to May 2026, lithium-ion battery exports reached $40 billion, an increase of 45%. In May, lithium-ion battery exports remained at $8 billion, a 35% increase over the same period last year. Trends in the export of CECEP Solar Energy batteries CECEP Solar Energy batteries, as important competitive products of the new three categories, have fluctuating export performance. In the past two years, there has been a significant decline, with serious industry turmoil. Against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, CECEP Solar Energy batteries have shown explosive growth. In 2020, the overall trend was relatively stable, and in 2021, there was a clear upward trend. This continued in 2022, with strong growth reaching $92.8 billion, but decreased to $61.2 billion in 2024 and $56.4 billion in 2025, an 8% decrease. From January to May 2026, CECEP Solar Energy battery exports reached $27.9 billion, an increase of 26%. In May, CECEP Solar Energy battery exports surged to $4.5 billion, a 7% decrease year-on-year. Trends in automobile exports In recent years, automobile exports have shown outstanding performance, increasing from $34.5 billion in 2021 to $117.4 billion in 2024, forming an explosive growth trend. Monthly small increases were still observed in 2025. Automobile exports surged in the fourth quarter, reaching $142.4 billion for the whole year, creating a huge contribution to the trade surplus. Among the new three categories, the growth of lithium battery energy storage is slightly better. Automobile exports reached $73.6 billion in January-May 2026, up 50%. In May, automobile exports were $16.7 billion, up 39%, showing strong vitality. Trends in automobile parts exports Automobile parts and whole vehicles form completely different demand systems, facing different markets, resulting in great differences in growth rates. Chinese self-owned vehicle exports do not go to the US market, while Chinese automobile parts exports are mainly for the US market. China's automobile parts achieved a high level of export sales early on, with exports maintaining a level of $8 billion in January-February this year, which remained the same in May, with significant pressure from high oil prices. From January to May 2026, automobile parts exports reached $41.5 billion, up 5%. In May, automobile parts exports were $8.7 billion, up 5%, indicating huge pressure on China's automobile parts exports. Follow the development of independent vehicle companies and change the characteristics of relying on the after-sales system of Europe and America. Trends in motorcycle exports Due to the surge in oil prices, motorcycle exports decelerated. Motorcycles and whole vehicles face completely different demand systems and markets, resulting in significant differences in growth rates. China's self-owned vehicle exports basically do not go to the US market, while Chinese motorcycle exports target a diverse market. In recent years, China's motorcycle exports have achieved high levels of growth, with good performance in the unit price of motorcycle exports. Motorcycles serve as a model for automobiles, with strong competitiveness fostered by electrification and full market price competition in the absence of domestic market support. From January to May 2026, motorcycle exports reached $8.9 billion, up 23%, while in May, motorcycle exports were $2.1 billion, an increase of 25%. However, exports of fuel motorcycles slowed due to high oil prices.