China's automobile exports to the European Union reached 1.83 million units in the first nine months of 2026, already far surpassing the full-year figure for last year, according to Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the Passenger Car Market Information Joint Branch, writing on November 1.
Both September alone and the cumulative total surged 128% and 87% year on year respectively, showing a pattern of scale leapfrogging and extreme structural divergence. Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) became the strongest engine, with exports jumping 372%; battery electric vehicles (BEV) nearly doubled despite heavy tariff pressure; and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) grew a steady 91% as a defensive line.
Cui noted the Matthew effect among carmakers is intensifying, with BYD showing a断层-style lead, while Geely, Chery and Leapmotor raced ahead at high speed, proving the strength of China's mainstream automakers in the European market and underscoring the country's accelerating global rise in the auto industry.
Source: Cailian Press / Cui Dongshu
