Recently, Chang'an Automobile's Brazil factory officially began production, with Brazilian President Lula attending and praising the milestone, marking a significant step in Chinese automakers' overseas localization. Against the backdrop of global auto industry transformation and accelerated Chinese auto exports, the five major domestic automakers—Chery, Great Wall, BYD, Geely, and Chang'an—form the core echelon of Chinese auto going global. With different strategic layouts and product lines, they are fiercely competing in overseas markets, and the competitive landscape between fuel and new energy vehicles is becoming clearer. A global battle for brand, technology, and market share is underway.
Sales Tiers and Focus
Chery ranks first in exports, with 1.344 million vehicles exported in 2025, accounting for nearly half of its total sales, thanks to 23 years of overseas expansion. Its strength lies in deep cultivation of emerging markets, with eight overseas production bases in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America, and the CIS, focusing on high cost-performance fuel vehicles. Mature powertrain technology and models tailored to local demands solidify its overseas presence, with fuel vehicles dominating exports.
BYD follows closely, with exports exceeding 1.04 million vehicles in 2025, a surge of over 140% year-on-year, making it the fastest-growing automaker. Its overseas expansion relies entirely on new energy advantages, with new energy vehicles accounting for over 90% of exports. Pure electric and plug-in hybrid models sweep across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, building technical barriers in the global new energy track with blade batteries and DM-i hybrid technology, achieving simultaneous growth in sales and brand power.
Great Wall, Geely, and Chang'an form the second tier. Great Wall exported 506,000 vehicles in 2025, focusing on SUVs and hardcore off-road models, primarily targeting Russia, Europe, and other markets. The Haval and Tank series appeal to overseas users with rugged styling and reliable performance, promoting both fuel and new energy vehicles simultaneously. Geely exported 420,000 vehicles, leveraging overseas brand resources such as Volvo and Proton, following a brand synergy and asset-light export route, deploying in Southeast Asia and European markets with a mix of fuel and new energy models. Chang'an's overseas sales reached 637,000 vehicles in 2025, up 19% year-on-year, accounting for over 20% of total sales, becoming the core engine for performance growth. The Brazil factory's launch marks a shift from product export to industrial overseas expansion, covering 118 countries and regions with a multi-line layout including fuel, hybrid, and pure electric vehicles.
Fuel vs. New Energy: Different Tracks, Clear Strengths
On the export track, fuel and new energy vehicles present contrasting competitive situations, with each automaker's advantage track clearly defined.
Fuel vehicle exports remain dominated by traditional strong teams. Chery and Great Wall, with deep fuel vehicle technology accumulation, dominate overseas fuel vehicle markets. Chery's 1.6T and 2.0T BlueCore engines are mature and reliable, suitable for markets with high fuel vehicle demand like the Middle East and South America, with extensive overseas networks and convenient maintenance, offering outstanding cost performance. Great Wall, leveraging its SUV category advantage, has fuel version Haval and Tank models with high recognition overseas, especially in Russia and the Middle East. Chang'an's fuel vehicles also steadily expand in Latin America and Africa with stable quality and localization adaptation. The dual-fuel models produced at the Brazil factory precisely fit the local energy structure, addressing a gap in the South American market. Overall, fuel vehicle exports benefit from mature technology, controllable costs, and complete after-sales service, suitable for emerging markets with weak infrastructure and insufficient new energy supporting facilities.
New energy vehicle exports are dominated by BYD, with Chang'an, Geely, and Great Wall accelerating their catch-up. BYD, with its full industry chain advantage, self-supplies core technologies for batteries, motors, and electronic controls. Pure electric models like Dolphin and ATTO 3, and plug-in hybrid models like Song PLUS, have become bestsellers in Europe and Southeast Asia, not only leading in sales but also breaking the stereotype that Chinese cars are cheap. Chang'an, relying on high-end new energy brands like Deepal and Avatr, is accelerating its electrification overseas. Since 2024, it has entered 40 countries and regions, with the high-end route showing initial results. Geely, with the help of Polestar and Volvo's electrification technology, has established a foothold in European high-end new energy markets. Great Wall is focusing on hybrid and pure electric SUVs to fill gaps in new energy. Compared with fuel vehicles, new energy vehicle exports place more emphasis on technology, brand, and supporting facilities. In regions with favorable new energy policies and complete infrastructure, such as Europe and Southeast Asia, growth rates far exceed fuel vehicles, becoming the core growth point for future exports.
Localization: The Key to Breaking Through
Looking at the overseas paths of the five automakers, simple product export is no longer sufficient to meet overseas market demands. Localization and deep industrial integration have become the core paths to increase overseas sales, with Chang'an's Brazil factory being the best example.
To continuously increase overseas sales, first, deepen localized operations and abandon a pure car-selling mindset. For example, develop dual-fuel engines tailored to Brazil's alcohol fuel-based energy structure; upgrade new energy technologies for Europe's stringent environmental regulations; optimize vehicle adaptability for Southeast Asia's hot and humid climate. At the same time, promote local employment, improve local supply chains, resolve trade barriers, and achieve long-term roots.
Second, adhere to a dual-line layout, precisely matching market demands. Emerging markets remain the main battlefield for fuel vehicles, so continuously optimize fuel vehicle cost performance and reliability to consolidate existing share; in developed markets like Europe and the US, fully engage new energy, build technology-leading and high-quality electric models to enhance brand premium. Fuel vehicle strong teams like Chery and Great Wall need to accelerate new energy transformation; new energy leaders like BYD can moderately deploy hybrid models to cover more market demands.
Finally, improve the global system and strengthen brand building. All five automakers need to build an integrated global R&D, production, sales, and after-sales service system, like Chang'an's "Six Countries, Ten Locations" R&D layout and "All Rivers Flow to the Sea" globalization plan, to enhance global synergy. At the same time, shed the low-price label, establish a high-quality brand image through high-end models and technology output, and enhance global user recognition.
Currently, Chery leads in fuel vehicles and overall export scale, BYD dominates the new energy track, and Chang'an and Geely each have their advantages. Chinese auto going global is no longer a solo effort but a collective rise. In the future, whoever can deepen localization, grasp market demands, and maintain technological advantages will secure a place in the global market and become a true world-class automobile brand.