Several major Chinese automakers have released their March sales results, delivering record-high overseas sales which underscore the rising global competitiveness of China's homegrown automotive brands.

BYD exported 119,591 passenger cars and pickups in March, representing a 65.2 percent year‑on‑year increase, the company said in a release on its official website.

Chery Group exported nearly 150,000 vehicles in March, marking 11 consecutive months with monthly exports exceeding 100,000 units, according to the Xinhua News Agency. New-energy vehicles (NEVs) have become the key driver of Chery's expansion into Europe's high-end market. Currently, Chery has expanded its presence into 18 European countries. For every five Chery NEVs exported overseas, one is destined for Europe, per Xinhua.

Geely Auto, Changan Automobile, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co (GAC) and other prominent domestic brands also achieved all‑time high export figures in March, reflecting a broad‑based increase in China's auto exports, China Media Group reported on Wednesday.

March's robust export performance is not a short‑term spike, but a continuation of strong growth seen in the first two months of the year, when exports surged roughly 60 percent year-on-year, Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), told the Global Times on Wednesday.

According to data released by the CPCA, China exported 1.55 million vehicles in January and February 2026, a year-on-year increase of 61 percent. Among them, new-energy vehicles (NEVs) performed exceptionally well, with total exports of 670,000 units in the first two months, surging 88 percent year-on-year, and becoming the primary driver of export growth, with their share continuing to increase.

Cui said that electrification is a core source of competitiveness for Chinese automakers. Backed by a comprehensive and world-leading NEV supply chain, Chinese electric vehicles deliver lower operating costs and superior driving experiences compared with traditional fuel-powered cars.

Elevated international oil prices have further stimulated global demand for EVs, while China's strong shipping and logistics capabilities provide reliable supply chain and transportation support to meet surging overseas demand, Cui added.

Chinese automakers are also strategically shifting from pure product exports to broader global integration. Leading firms have established localized overseas operations and management centers to oversee sales networks and after-sales services, steadily improving brand reputation in foreign markets.

Zhang Shengshan, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery International, told China Media Group that Chery's production project in Spain involves not only local assembly but also integrated local R&D, production, supply chain development and marketing, which is of significant strategic value.

Driven by strong overseas demand, nearly 100 percent of Chery's exports to Europe this year are NEVs. In 2025, NEVs accounted for approximately 30 percent of Chery's total exports of 1.34 million units; the company expects this share to jump to over 70 percent in 2026, Zhang said.

Beyond electrification, intelligent technologies such as smart cockpits and advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS) have become key differentiators for Chinese brands.

Rapid technological iteration and sustained investment in research and development enable Chinese carmakers to closely follow global consumer trends and deliver innovative products, Cui added.

On March 12, Geely Auto Group's advanced driver assistance system, the Qianli Haohan G-ASD officially obtained UN R171 certification jointly issued by the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) and IDIADA, the Global Times learned from Geely Auto Group on Wednesday.

The UN R171 regulation serves as the European Union's unified standard for Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS), establishing a unified framework for intelligent mobility across Europe.

This milestone marks the first time that a Chinese-developed ADAS has passed this certification, marking a milestone in the global expansion of China's intelligent driving technology. The first vehicle featuring the certified G-ASD system will hit European roads in June 2026, according to the Geely Auto Group.

Chinese auto brands have accumulated rich experience in overseas markets, expanded their sales networks, improved after-sales services, and built a strong reputation among consumers. In terms of intelligent connectivity, Chinese automakers are overtaking in some areas previously led by American brands, such as autonomous driving and digital cockpits, Zhang Xiang, Secretary-General of International Intelligent Vehicle Engineering Association, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

With continuous technological innovation, rising overseas market share and growing brand recognition, Chinese automakers have gained broad recognition overseas, and positive word-of-mouth among overseas users has encouraged more consumers to choose Chinese brands, Zhang said.

China's auto exports remained resilient in 2025, particularly in new-energy vehicles. In 2025, exports of NEVs doubled year-on-year to 2.615 million units, according to Xinhua News Agency.