On the afternoon of October 19, the China Smart-Car Brand Going-Global sub-forum of the 2026 China Brand Going-Global Expo was held. Participants from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, consuls from Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire and Nepal, and companies including Geely, BYD, Changan, Seres, Voyah and Dongfeng Liuqi reached a consensus: Chinese automakers are completing a historic leap from "product going-out" to "industry going-out" and "ecosystem going-out," with global consumers paying ever more attention to Chinese cars.
The three consuls brought expectations from emerging markets. Colombia's consul reported that in the first nine months of this year the country registered nearly 40,000 NEVs, more than three times the year-earlier figure, with Chinese brands accounting for about one third. Nepal's deputy consul confirmed that among 20-plus international brands competing locally, BYD, Changan and Wuling stand out on technology and price. Cote d'Ivoire set a goal that 10% of its national vehicle fleet be new-energy by 2030 and will introduce EVs into public fleets first.
Notably, all three consuls looked beyond selling cars to deeper cooperation, hoping Chinese firms will bring capital, technology and supply chains. Colombia alone needs 20,000 charging piles by 2030 — an investment of 1.7 to 2.6 billion yuan — pointing to huge industrial opportunity. Cote d'Ivoire called for Chinese participation in charging infrastructure and investment in software, parts supply and especially retired-battery recycling.
Liu Yan, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, disclosed that in the first nine months China's auto exports rose 65.8% year on year, with monthly sales exceeding 1 million units for four consecutive months, likely a record for the year. She cautioned that going-out is shifting from simple export to an all-round ecosystem of local production, technology and brand output, urging firms to avoid exporting domestic involution and to uphold long-termism.
Source: The Beijing News
