China’s EV Exports Grow 19% in First Five Months of 2025 Led by Chery, MG, and Geely

China’s electric vehicle (EV) exports have witnessed significant growth during the first five months of 2025, rising by 19% compared to the same period last year, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs on June 9. This upward trend highlights the strength of China’s manufacturing sector, especially in electric vehicles, as it continues to expand globally despite international economic challenges.

Surge in Industrial Equipment and EV Exports

The value of China’s industrial equipment exports reached 6.22 trillion yuan (approximately $858 billion), marking a 9.2% increase from the previous year and accounting for 58.3% of China’s total exports. The electric vehicle sector contributed significantly to this growth, alongside construction machinery, ships, and industrial robots.

Chery Leads, Followed by MG and Geely

Chery topped the list of Chinese EV exporters, shipping 250,800 vehicles in the first five months of 2025. MG (owned by SAIC) ranked second with 168,700 vehicles, followed closely by Geely, which saw a remarkable surge with 160,900 vehicles exported—a year-on-year increase exceeding 103%. Geely notably expanded its presence in European markets, exporting 70,600 vehicles there.

BYD ranked fourth with 159,300 vehicles exported; however, only 61% of these were fully electric, with the remainder being plug-in hybrids, indicating varying demand patterns between international and domestic markets. Haval came in fifth with 90,700 vehicles, mostly conventional fuel-powered cars, yet achieved an impressive annual growth rate of over 80%.

Varied Performance Among Other Brands

Changan, ranked sixth, experienced a sharp decline in exports by 29.1%, totaling 82,100 vehicles, making it the only major Chinese brand to see a drop during this period. Other top ten brands included Roewe (48,700 vehicles), Jietu (41,500 vehicles), Trumpchi (a GAC subsidiary with explosive growth of 253% exporting 30,800 vehicles), and JAC (27,200 vehicles), which recently entered global markets.

These brands fall into three categories: four brands exported over 150,000 vehicles, two between 50,000 and 100,000, and four under 50,000 vehicles each.

Growth in Trade with International Partners

On a broader scale, China’s total foreign trade (imports and exports) from January to May reached 17.94 trillion yuan (about $2.47 trillion), growing 2.5% year-on-year. Exports in May alone rose by 6.3% despite having two fewer working days than the previous year. Trade with major partners showed strong growth: exports to ASEAN countries increased by 16.9%, to the EU by 13.7%, to Africa by 35.3%, and to Central Asia by 8.8%. Trade with Africa hit a record 963.2 billion yuan, including 599.6 billion yuan in exports, up 20.2%.

Role of Foreign Companies and Central Provinces

Foreign companies significantly contributed to China’s trade growth, accounting for 5.21 trillion yuan ($719 billion), about 29% of total foreign trade. The number of foreign companies engaged in trade exceeded 73,000, the highest in five years. Central Chinese provinces recorded the fastest trade growth, with trade volume up 11.1% and exports up 16.9%.

Outlook

Analysts believe the sustained momentum in exports, particularly in industrial equipment and EVs, reflects China’s economic resilience and adaptability to global challenges. With leading companies like Chery, MG, and Geely expanding overseas, China is expected to strengthen its position as a major player in the global electric vehicle market in the coming years.

The 2025 figures confirm that China is no longer just the world’s factory but a pivotal exporter of advanced technologies, especially in electric vehicles. With continued investment in innovation and expanding international partnerships, China’s presence in global automotive markets is poised for further growth and influence in the years ahead.