China Becomes the World’s Biggest Auto Exporter—With Help From Russia11 Jan 2024 06:47
Demand for gas-powered vehicles push sales of made-in-China cars to a record high
By
Selina Cheng
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Updated Jan. 9, 2024 7:27 am ET
China is now the world’s largest auto exporter with Russia becoming its biggest buyer this year. WSJ explains how Chinese car brands profited from Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions. Illustration: Kalvin Ng
HONG KONG—China’s overseas auto sales surged to a record last year, on track to surpass Japan as the world’s biggest car exporter and marking a tectonic shift for the global industry.
While China has become acknowledged as a world leader in electric vehicles, traditional gas-powered autos were the main driver of the increase, with demand surging especially in Russia.