Economy Japan no longer world's top auto exporter

It's official: China has overtaken Japan to become the world's top auto exporter in the first quarter, spurred by rising demand for electric vehicles and increased deliveries to Russia.

China's automobile exports for the January-March period jumped 58% from a year earlier to 1.07 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Japan exported 950,000 vehicles during the same quarter, up 6% on the year, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. Chinese auto exports continue to grow in the current quarter. An industry group for passenger vehicles expects exports to climb 30% for the full calendar year to 4 million units.

Click to expand...

Belgium, Australia and Thailand were the top destinations for Chinese-made new energy vehicles. Thailand's third-place position shows that Chinese automakers are using EVs to build market share in Southeast Asia, a region where Japanese automakers have long dominated. Russia was the first quarter's top export destination for all Chinese-made vehicles. Exports there more than tripled from a year earlier to 140,000 units.

Paywall alert:

China surpasses Japan as world's top auto exporter

Tesla EVs and Russian deliveries drive industry into lead

asia.nikkei.com