Chongqing - New data on Chongqing's automobile exports in the first quarter shows a 24.1% increase in export value to 8.92 billion yuan (USD 1.23 billion) compared to last year. Electric car exports soared, with 14,000 units exported, a 219.4% rise year-on-year, surpassing the national average growth rate by 199.8 percentage points.

Changan Automobile surpasses Nissan and Isuzu in Thai market orders

Changan Automobile's overseas sales surged, reaching 108,951 units, an 80.1% rise year-on-year. Seres, a key partner of Chinese tech giant Huawei in the automotive sector, entered the European market, with export unit prices ranging from $40,000 to $60,000. SAIC Hongyan saw a 205% sales increase in Indonesia.

On April 7, at the Bangkok International Motor Show 2024, Changan Automobile clinched 3,073 orders, surpassing major Japanese competitors like Nissan and Isuzu in the Thai market. Dealers highlighted Changan's superior styling, features, quality, and price-performance ratio as key factors driving its competitive edge.

King Garment Textile from Uzbekistan is one of many international dealers impressed by Chongqing's offerings, particularly the SERES Landian E5 model. This medium-sized plug-in hybrid SUV features the SERES DE-i super electric drive platform and HUAWEI Hicar3.0 intelligent system, offering a range of up to 1,150 kilometers and targeting the Central Asian market.

The senior manager from SAIC Hongyan's international department noted the increasing demand for commercial and specialized vehicles in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) regions due to expanding infrastructure and logistics. Recently, the company exported 100 intelligent heavy trucks and 500 fire trucks to Kazakhstan and other countries, emphasizing customers' interest in vehicle functionality and intelligence.

Export strategy integrating vehicle, KD assembly, and localized operation

Chongqing's automotive strategy extends beyond export growth to global operational expansion. 

Changan has set up three local companies and operation teams in Thailand, leveraging local incentives like tax breaks and consumer subsidies. This expansion aligns with Changan's global strategy, which includes R&D facilities across six countries and ten locations.

SERES has expanded globally with over 1,000 marketing and service networks and eight knockdown (KD) assembly plants. SAIC Hongyan has also established three KD factories overseas through collaborative modes.

Behind the Chongqing automobile maker's overseas expansion is the Chongqing government's strategic planning and assistance. The local government supports this global push by transitioning from a traditional vehicle export trade to more integrated models, including "vehicle + KD assembly + localized operation." 

By 2023, Chongqing's automobile export value exceeded 33 billion yuan, up 51.9% from last year. The city aims for its annual complete vehicle exports to reach 10% of the country's total by 2027, targeting an export value exceeding 120 billion yuan.