China's automotive industry is accelerating its global expansion, with auto exports exceeding 6.4 million vehicles in 2024, securing its position as the world's top exporter, according to the latest data from China's General Administration of Customs (GAC).
The country's ports serve as vital hubs. On Wednesday, more than 4,000 domestically produced vehicles from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region departed from Tianjin Port's global ro-ro terminal for South America. This shipment, comprising electric, hybrid, and fuel-powered vehicles, marked a new record for the port's single-vessel export shipping.
Tianjin Port now operates ro-ro shipping routes to over 30 countries and regions, including Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Notably, a new direct route to Mexico, launched in January this year, has opened a strategic pathway for China's auto exports.
Meanwhile, Shanghai Port achieved a historic milestone in 2024, handling 3.63 million vehicles, a 15 percent increase from the previous year, making it the world's top port for auto throughput for the first time, and foreign trade accounted for over 60 percent of this volume.
Shanghai Port currently operates 15 international ro-ro routes, connecting to 289 ports in 131 countries and regions. According to its "15th Five-Year Plan," the port aims to expand its capacity to handle over 5 million vehicles, with facilities at Waigaoqiao, Lingang, and Haitong Taicang.
"Shanghai Port now handles a wide variety of vehicle types, with export destinations in 131 countries and regions, over 289 ports worldwide," said Li Ming, duty manager of the dispatch department at Shanghai Haitong International Automobile Terminal Co., Ltd.
To meet the surging demand for auto exports, ports, shipping companies, and automakers are collaborating to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce costs, bolstering the competitiveness of Chinese vehicles at global markets.
"Ports play a pivotal role as transit hubs and nodes in the auto industry supply chain. By unlocking this potential, we ensure Shanghai Port's auto ro-ro throughput reaches the world's top level," said Li Zhiping, director of the shipping services research office at the Shanghai International Shipping Institute.
According to the GAC, the export value of autos saw significant growth in 2024, reaching 117.4 billion U.S. dollars, with autos' share of the country's total exports rising from 1.7 percent to 3.3 percent. The rapid development of China's auto industry and expanding global markets have provided broader opportunities for Chinese brands and offered global consumers more diverse and high-quality vehicle options.
China's auto exports lead global market in 2024
China's auto exports lead global market in 2024
