BYD Leads China NEV Export Market as Chery Tops Overall Passenger Car Exports in May

China's passenger vehicle export sector recorded robust growth in May, with new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers continuing to expand their international footprint. Export rankings released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) highlighted strong performances from major automakers, led by BYD, which maintained a dominant position in the passenger NEV export segment. Several manufacturers, including Chery, Geely Auto, Tesla China, and Leapmotor, also reported substantial year-on-year gains, reflecting growing overseas demand for Chinese-made vehicles.

China Passenger NEV Export Rankings for May

The CPCA published export rankings for the first time as part of its monthly sales report, providing a detailed overview of China's expanding NEV export landscape. BYD led the market with exports of 155,944 passenger NEVs during May, representing an 85.5% increase compared with the same period last year and a 19.9% rise from April. The company secured a commanding 36.7% share of total passenger NEV exports, reinforcing its leadership in the international EV market.

Chery followed in second place with 62,398 NEVs exported, recording a 142.3% year-on-year increase and a 7.7% month-on-month improvement. The automaker captured a 14.7% market share. Geely ranked third after exporting 39,811 NEVs, posting a remarkable 429.0% year-on-year surge despite an 18.6% decline from April. Geely accounted for 9.4% of total passenger NEV exports during the month.

Top Passenger NEV Exporters in May

United States-based Tesla China ranked fourth with exports of 38,701 units. The company achieved a 67.7% increase from the previous year, although exports declined 27.7% compared with April. Tesla contributed 9.1% of China's passenger NEV exports in May. Leapmotor also delivered a strong performance, exporting 20,168 units and recording a 451.3% year-on-year increase alongside a 41.8% monthly gain, resulting in a 4.8% market share.

GWM entered the top ten with 6,596 exported NEVs. The manufacturer achieved a 110.4% year-on-year increase and a 61.1% month-on-month improvement, accounting for 1.6% of total passenger NEV exports during the month.

January-May Passenger NEV Export Performance

During the first five months of the year, BYD maintained its leadership with cumulative exports of 598,433 NEVs, representing a 67.6% increase year-on-year and a 34.6% market share. Chery remained second with 216,482 exported units, up 160.2% compared with the same period last year, securing a 12.5% share.

Geely closely followed with exports totaling 213,867 units between January and May. The automaker delivered exceptional growth of 574.7% year-on-year and captured a 12.3% market share. Tesla China exported 192,823 units during the same period, marking a 112.0% annual increase and an 11.1% share. Leapmotor recorded 75,294 exported vehicles, up 335.5% year-on-year, while Xpeng ranked tenth with exports of 24,066 units and annual growth of 61.3%.

Chery Leads Overall Passenger Car Export Market

When including both NEVs and conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, Chery emerged as the largest passenger car exporter in May. The company shipped 179,285 vehicles overseas and secured a 22.9% share of the overall export market. Chery's export volume increased 79.2% year-on-year and 2.3% month-on-month, highlighting sustained international demand across its vehicle portfolio.

BYD ranked second in overall passenger car exports with 155,944 units and a 19.9% market share. Geely Auto secured third place after exporting 84,152 vehicles, representing a 180.3% year-on-year increase and a 10.7% share of total exports. GWM ranked fifth with 45,188 units exported and a 5.8% share, while Tesla China placed sixth with 38,701 units. Leapmotor secured ninth position with exports of 20,168 vehicles and a 2.6% share.

Overall Passenger Car Export Rankings for January-May

For the January-May period, Chery retained the leading position in overall passenger car exports with 743,789 units, reflecting a 69.3% increase compared with the previous year. BYD ranked second with 598,433 exported vehicles and a 17.7% market share. Geely followed in third place with 370,362 units and an 11.0% share. Tesla China ranked sixth with 192,823 exported vehicles, while Leapmotor occupied tenth position with 75,294 units and a 2.2% market share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the largest passenger NEV exporter in China during May?
BYD was the largest passenger NEV exporter in China during May, shipping 155,944 vehicles overseas. The company recorded strong annual and monthly growth while securing a dominant 36.7% share of the country's passenger NEV export market. Its performance significantly exceeded that of competing manufacturers and reinforced its position as the leading Chinese EV exporter in international markets.

Which company led China's overall passenger car exports in May?
Chery ranked first in China's overall passenger car export market during May with 179,285 units exported. The total includes both new energy vehicles and conventional internal combustion engine models. Chery achieved a 22.9% market share and continued to benefit from strong overseas demand, helping it maintain leadership ahead of BYD and Geely in the broader export category.

How did Tesla China perform in the export market?
Tesla China ranked fourth in passenger NEV exports during May with 38,701 vehicles shipped overseas. Although exports declined compared with April, the company still achieved substantial year-on-year growth of 67.7%. During the January-May period, Tesla China exported 192,823 vehicles and secured an 11.1% share of China's passenger NEV export market.

What were the key trends in China's vehicle export market?
China's vehicle export market showed strong momentum, particularly in the NEV segment, where major manufacturers recorded significant year-on-year growth. BYD dominated NEV exports, while Chery led overall passenger vehicle exports. Geely, Leapmotor, and Tesla China also expanded exports considerably, reflecting increasing global acceptance of Chinese-made vehicles and strengthening competitiveness in international automotive markets.