Chongqing- This August, China overtook Germany as the second-largest car exporter in the world, trailing only Japan. As one of China's leading automobile manufacturing bases, Chongqing aims to expand its foreign markets with the support of its automakers.

According to the Chongqing Customs District, Chongqing exported 236,000 autos from January to October this year, up 43.3%, ranking third in China, and worth 2.5 billion US dollars, up 72.8%.

Chongqing carmakers active in the international market

Carmakers, most of whom settle in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area, actively explore global markets.

Starting in 1991, Changan Automobile, a well-known Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer, keeps exploring overseas markets. Today, it exports to over 70 countries and regions, 91% of which are Belt and Road countries. The core export markets are Russia, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, North Africa, Middle and South America, and more.

From January to November, Changan hit a record high of exporting 159,918 vehicles, up 47.36% year-on-year. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are their top markets in terms of sales volume.

SERES is another emerging local force that has exported 400 thousand vehicles cumulatively since 2005, whose export models cover new energy cars, petrol SUVs, and minivans.

Specifically, its smart EVs have been exported continuously to Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, mainly through China Railway Express (CR Express) and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC).

On top of passenger vehicles, Chongqing-made heavy trucks are also available internationally. SAIC Hongyan is one of the key players, which has already exported its heavy trucks to over 40 countries, including the Middle East, Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia.

The necessity of the auto market catering to globalization

As a result of globalization, more Chongqing-made carmakers have succeeded overseas due to improved competitiveness, localization, and brand building.

"Only by exerting all our efforts will we succeed," said a staff member from Changan Automobile. Changan continues to invest 5% of sales volume into research every year and has established research institutes in China, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA, and Germany. More than 12,000 technicians from 24 countries make up its technical team.

The company envisions setting up two to three manufacturing bases overseas by 2025 and establishing headquarters in the EU and North America as necessary.

SERES pioneered collaboration between automakers and technology companies by collaborating with Huawei. Last year, both companies launched the first high-end EVs, AITO, delivered to 11,296 customers within 87 days.

In addition, the construction of CR Express and the ILSTC facilitates exports of Chongqing-made cars.

According to Yi Mingxing, the manager of Chongqing Xingou customs broker, CR Express' transportation offers better stability and safety than traditional ocean shipping. "Considering logistics expenses and transit time, exporting each vehicle will save 8%-20%."

The professor at Chongqing Technology and Business University, Mo Yuanming, believes that the current auto market needs to explore more extensive ways to cater to globalization, including establishing a factory overseas, acquiring a brand, or even establishing a whole Chinese brand overseas.