Chongqing - In 2024, Chongqing’s automotive exports reached 477,000 units, representing a 29.6% year-on-year growth. Export values totaled 43.11 billion yuan (about 5.95 billion U.S. dollars), a 30% increase. These figures, released by Chongqing Customs on January 23, highlight the impressive results of the first year of the “Chongqing Cars Go Global” initiative.
On December 31, 2024, cars await loading alongside an outbound freight train at the Chongqing Yuzui Railway Freight Station. (Photo/Xie Zhiqiang, Visual Chongqing)
Automobiles are the flagship product of Chongqing manufacturing and drive the city’s foreign trade. The ambitious “Chongqing Cars Go Global” plan, launched in 2023, aims to have the city’s annual vehicle exports account for 10% of China’s total by 2027, establishing Chongqing as a global automotive powerhouse.
Chongqing carmakers are rapidly expanding their presence across the globe. Over the past year, vehicles manufactured in Chongqing have reached every continent except Antarctica. Companies like Changan Auto and Seres are leading the charge.
In Oceania, traditionally dominated by Japanese brands, Changan Auto has focused on promoting new energy vehicles (NEVs) to carve out market share. The all-electric Deepal S07 is the first model to debut in Oceania, with plans to launch the Nevo E07 and Deepal S05 later this year. Similarly, Changan has expanded into the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe with an aggressive strategy, unveiling three NEV brands in Europe and committing to introducing 10 new models in the Middle East and Africa. In 2024, Changan achieved overseas sales of over 530,000 units, a 49.6% increase year on year.
On October 14, 2024, the Seres new energy vehicle AITO M9 attracted significant attention at the Paris Motor Show. (Photo provided by interviewee)
Other players are also stepping up. Seres showcased its AITO M9 at the Paris Motor Show 2024, marking its new chapter to expand its overseas footprint. Livan Auto, a newer entrant, signed a strategic partnership with Indonesia’s ALETRA in 2024, launching its first overseas NEV, the RL8, to target the premium business vehicle market.
While the momentum of Chongqing’s automotive exports is strong, challenges remain. Different regions require vehicles to meet diverse standards—for example, robust heat management systems for the Middle East or high-altitude performance for South America. Additionally, global geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuating tax policies, such as sudden tax hikes in Europe, have increased logistics complexity.
“Sometimes shipping a car is harder than selling it,” noted Xiao Hong, Executive Vice General Manager of International Division in Changan Minsheng APLL Logistics Co., Ltd. Geo-political tensions and supply chain disruptions have made transport and delivery more difficult, emphasizing the need for reliable logistics.
Chongqing’s government and related departments have been instrumental in addressing these challenges in addressing these challenges. They have developed a global logistics service system, including increasing freight routes via the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. New policies have also been rolled out to streamline customs processes, enhance logistics efficiency, and support businesses in overcoming international trade barriers.
Chongqing’s export growth is increasingly driven by NEVs, with exports doubling to 60,000 units in 2024, up 96.5% year-on-year. Experts predict NEVs will play a pivotal role in Chongqing’s global strategy, transforming the image of “Made in Chongqing.”
Efforts are underway to strengthen the city’s NEV ecosystem. For example, Liangjiang New Area has introduced an international NEV brand center to establish facilities for NEV certification and trade. Leading firms like Changan Auto and Seres actively develop international markets while research institutions collaborate to advance NEV technologies.
On August 15, 2024, Chongqing-made new energy vehicles are being loaded for shipment via international freight trains to overseas markets at Chongqing Railway Port in Shapingba District. (Photo/Guo Jin)
Industry experts believe that Chongqing can further accelerate growth by shifting from vehicle exports to exporting entire industrial chains. As Chongqing focuses on NEV technologies like batteries, chips, and intelligent systems, local companies are exploring opportunities for overseas production, such as Changan’s factory in Thailand, which will serve as a regional hub for Southeast Asia.
“NEVs are more than just vehicles; they encompass multiple industries, from new materials and energy storage to AI and IoT,” said Zhan Yi, Associate Researcher at Chongqing Academy of Social Sciences. By leveraging its industrial strengths, Chongqing aims to create a global reputation for its NEVs and broader industrial ecosystem.
As Chongqing deepens its commitment to global markets, the “Chongqing Cars Go Global” initiative is poised to achieve sustainable growth. With robust government support, strategic planning, and a focus on innovation, Chongqing’s auto industry is set to make a lasting mark on the global stage.
(Yang Jun, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)
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