Chinese NEVs gain ground in overseas markets

Sales of Chinese-branded NEV passenger vehicles accounted for 22.8 percent of overseas markets during the first four months of 2026, up 8 percentage points from the same period last year, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Monday.

The gains have been particularly notable in emerging markets. Chinese NEVs now account for more than 80 percent of the NEV market in South America, while their market share in Southeast Asia has reached 46 percent, Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the CPCA, said.

The strong overseas performance comes as Chinese automakers continue to consolidate their dominant position in the global NEV industry.

According to CPCA data, Chinese brands captured 61 percent of the global NEV passenger vehicle market in the January-April period, broadly stable from the levels recorded over the past two years.

China is expected to account for 56 percent of the global battery electric vehicle market in 2026, while its share of the global plug-in hybrid vehicle market is projected to reach 71 percent, maintaining a leading position worldwide, Cui said.

Meanwhile, overseas markets are also showing renewed momentum. Cui noted that, driven by a strong recovery in Europe's NEV sector, NEV sales outside China reached 2.63 million units in the first four months of the year, representing a 25 percent year-on-year increase and approaching the average growth rates seen over the previous two years.