HereS a short introductory paragraph for the article:
The global automotive landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, with Chinese automakers poised to become major players on the world stage. Current projections indicate these brands coudl capture a considerable 30% of the global market share by 2030, fueled by competitive pricing and expanding model options. This rise presents both opportunities and challenges for consumers and established manufacturers alike, impacting affordability, competition, and the future of the industry. This article explores the implications of this growing trend and what it means for car buyers worldwide.
For Western brands, this advance represents direct competition in price, volume and technology.
Table of Contents
- For Western brands, this advance represents direct competition in price, volume and technology.
- Why is China exporting so many gasoline cars if its domestic market is electric?
- How has gasoline car exports grown in the last five years?
- Which Chinese brands are leading the expansion of gasoline cars?
- What does this all mean for the consumer?
China is driving a phenomenon reshaping the global automotive landscape: while its domestic market fills with electric vehicles, China is exporting millions of gasoline-powered vehicles to regions where demand remains strong. This trend has accelerated since 2020, and by the end of 2025, Chinese manufacturers are projected to control 30% of the international market.
A combination of industrial overcapacity, declining domestic sales, and intense competitive pressure is reconfiguring markets in South America, Central America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and even parts of Europe. This shift is particularly noteworthy as the automotive industry undergoes a global transition towards electrification.
For Western brands, this advance represents a direct challenge in terms of price, volume, and technology.
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Why is China exporting so many gasoline cars if its domestic market is electric?
Half of the cars sold in China are now electric, and the transition to zero-emission vehicles was accelerated by government subsidies, discounts, and the emergence of new brands dedicated exclusively to plug-in vehicles.
With BYD as a leader, the country has developed an infrastructure capable of producing 20 million electric and PHEV vehicles per year, according to estimates from the Chinese Ministry of Industry.
However, before that surge, the country already had a massive capacity to manufacture gasoline cars: up to 30 million thermal vehicles can come off its production lines each year.
That infrastructure cannot be halted without incurring losses, so China found a clear solution: export them.
How has gasoline car exports grown in the last five years?
Since 2020, 76% of all Chinese automotive exports have been thermal models, and the numbers are increasing every year:
- It exported nearly 1 million units in 2020.
- It is estimated to close with 6.5 million gasoline cars shipped abroad by the end of 2025.
- With that figure, China became the world’s largest automobile exporter last year, counting only internal combustion models.
Reuters, which analyzed data from the Chinese government and automotive industry, describes this trend as “a greater threat than the advance of electric vehicles” due to its global reach and low cost.
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Which Chinese brands are leading the expansion of gasoline cars?
The strategy has been driven by traditional manufacturers that have seen their domestic sales decline:
- SAIC (owner of MG)
- From 1.4 million gasoline cars sold in China in 2020, it fell to 430,000 units in 2024.
- Its exports increased from 400,000 cars in 2020 to more than 1 million in 2024.
- Dongfeng
- Multiplied its exports by four in five years.
- BAIC
- Has also focused its production on international markets with strong growth.
Consultancy AlixPartners estimates that 4.3 million cars were exported between January and October, and that thermal models will represent two-thirds of China’s total exports this year.
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What does this all mean for the consumer?
For many markets, this could translate into:
- More affordable cars with the arrival of new brands
- Greater model variety
- Competition that could force traditional brands to lower prices or improve equipment
However, it also presents challenges:
- Growing dependence on the Chinese industry
- Potential adjustments in tariffs
- Increased difficulty for local brands to remain competitive
