China's Auto Exports to EU Hit 1.83 Million in First 9 Months, Far Above Last Year, Cui Dongshu Says

CPCA secretary-general Cui Dongshu wrote on November 1 that China's auto exports to the EU reached 1.83 million units in the first nine months of 2026, already far above the full-year total of last year, with September alone up 128% and the cumulative figure up 87% year on year. He described a pattern of scale leapfrogging and extreme structural divergence: plug-in hybrids became the strongest engine, surging 372%; battery electrics nearly doubled despite heavy tariffs; and conventional hybrids rose a steady 91% as a defensive line. Cui said the "Matthew effect" among Chinese automakers is sharpening, with BYD showing an insurmountable lead, while Geely, Chery and Leapmotor are racing ahead at high speed and mainstream Chinese brands are performing strikingly well in Europe, underscoring the clear momentum of China's global auto ascent.

Source: Cailianshe / CPCA (Cui Dongshu), Nov 1, 2026 | 2026-11-01