The Chinese auto industry has remarkably transformed over the past few years. China was once known as a producer of cheap, entry-level cars for the domestic market. But today, Chinese auto manufacturers have evolved and become global contenders for producing top-quality vehicles, especially electric ones.
Backed by strong government support, strategic joint ventures with global automakers, and a sharp focus on new energy technologies, Chinese manufacturers are making headlines on the international stage. This article explores the top Chinese car manufacturers leading in innovation, sales volume, and global expansion. Keep reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Chinese car market
4 reasons Chinese cars are gaining global attention
1. Affordability
2. Advanced EV technology
3. Variety
4. Global expansion
Top Chinese car manufactuers
1. BYD
2. Geely Holding
3. Changan Automobile
4. Great Wall Motor (GWM)
5. SAIC Motor
6. Chery
7. GAC Group
Conclusion
Overview of the Chinese car market
China leads the world as the largest automotive market in terms of vehicle production and sales volume. Total car sales in the country increased from 26 million in 2023 to 31.4 million in 2024, and by 2025, this number is predicted to increase by 4.7% to 32.9 million vehicles. This figure is hugely dominated by Chinese brands, and they are already increasing their expansion into other regions like Europe, South America, and the Middle East.
Chinese automakers have made significant investments in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and R&D, spurred by government policies that encourage the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. As a result, they are now competing with legacy automakers from the United States, Europe, and Japan—offering models that are affordable, tech-forward, and tailored to diverse consumer needs.
Key trends in the Chinese car market include the rise of domestic EV startups, the continued success of joint ventures with foreign automakers like Volkswagen and General Motors, and the growing presence of Chinese car models in overseas markets.
4 reasons Chinese cars are gaining global attention
1. Affordability
Chinese cars have an affordable initial acquisition cost. This makes the cars attainable and attractive to both developed and developing markets.
2. Advanced EV technology
Chinese car brands like BYD globally lead in battery technology, fast charging, and range efficiency.
3. Variety
Buyers can choose various car models from Chinese brands, which include compact electric cars, luxury sedans, and rugged SUVs.
4. Global expansion
Chinese brands are rapidly expanding globally and are able to offer after-sales services, spare parts, and warranties to international customers.
Top Chinese car manufactuers
1. BYD
BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, is China’s leading vehicle manufacturer in the electric vehicle sector. The parent company was founded in 1995 as a battery producer, and BYD Auto was launched in 2003 to enter the automotive market. In 2024, BYD overtook Tesla to become the world’s largest EV seller, delivering over 4.27 million units compared to Tesla’s 1.79 million that year.
BYD’s popular car models include the BYD Han, Atto 3, Seal, and Sealion. Besides cars, they also produce commercial vehicles such as electric buses and trucks, which are widely used worldwide. The BYD Shark is one of the recently introduced products in the lineup. It is a plug-in hybrid pickup truck that combines a gasoline engine with electric motors for extended range and off-road performance.
The Shenzhen-based Company also owns other car brands apart from BYD. These brands primarily target the premium and high-performance segments of the market. They are Yangwang, Fangchengbao, and Denza vehicles.
2. Geely Holding
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) was founded in 1986 and made international headlines when it acquired Volvo, the Swedish carmaker, in 2010. The group also owns other automotive brands including Polestar, Lotus, and holds a stake in Daimler AG, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz.
Geely Holding offers a wide range of SUVs and passenger cars in China under the Geely Auto and Geometry brands. Models like the Emgrand and Coolray appeal to tech-savvy and budget-conscious buyers. The group is also heavily invested and committed to electrification and autonomous driving technology, as reflected in its other brands such as Zeekr, Lynk & Co, and its joint stake in Polestar.
Strategic joint ventures with other car companies and global acquisitions are the key reasons that have helped Geely gain a significant market share in both domestic and international markets, including Europe and the Middle East.
3. Changan Automobile
Changan Automobile is a major state-owned Chinese car manufacturer headquartered in Chongqing. It is one of China’s oldest car manufacturers. It began as a military arsenal producer and later evolved into a top commercial and passenger vehicle manufacturer in the world.
The company has partnerships with Ford and Mazda, giving it access to global manufacturing expertise and advanced design capabilities. That has made them achieve a record-breaking milestone of 2.683 million vehicle sales in 2024, which was a 5.1% year-on-year increase and a new seven-year high.
Among their bestselling models are the CS75 SUV and the Eado sedan in the Chinese domestic market. Changan also owns an electric sub-brand called Deepal that is marketed toward young tech-driven consumers.
Changan vehicles are exported to over 60 countries worldwide while continuing to make huge investments in electric vehicle research and development and autonomous driving systems.
4. Great Wall Motor (GWM)
Great Wall Motor, or GWM, is a Chinese automaker that is recognized for producing SUVs and pickup truck models. Its vehicles are marketed under several sub-brands, including Haval, Ora, Wey, and Poer.
GWM’s crown jewel is the Haval brand, best known for the Haval H6, which has been a top-selling vehicle in China for several years. The company is also expanding into electric vehicles through its Ora brand, with models like the Ora Good Cat gaining popularity in both domestic and international markets, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, and South America.
The company is expanding its footprint outside China and has already established assembly plants in Eurasia, Thailand, and Brazil, as well as R&D centers in the United States, Germany, India, Austria, and South Korea.
5. SAIC Motor
SAIC Motor Corporation Limited is a top Chinese car manufacturer and the largest automotive company in China by sales volume. The state-owned enterprise is headquartered in Shanghai and has strong joint ventures established with General Motors and Volkswagen.
SAIC’s own brands like Roewe, MG, Maxus, and Rising Auto offer a wide range of electric and gasoline-powered vehicles for the international market. MG, for instance, has attained a lot of popularity in the United Kingdom and India. This is because they offer attractive price points and a ton of features in their vehicles for consumers.
Apart from passenger cars, the company also manufactures commercial vehicles. They make pickup trucks, vans, and utility vehicles. Through scaling their production, innovation, and collaboration with global manufacturing automakers, it has firmly placed themselves as one of the top Chinese car companies set to reshape the automotive industry.
6. Chery
Chery Automobile was founded in 1997 and has been a leader in exporting vehicles produced from its factory in China for a long time. The company is known as a producer of affordable, reliable, and tech-forward vehicles.
The Tiggo series, specifically the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 SUVs, has seen success in international markets in South America and the Middle East. Chery also operates multiple sub-brands like Exeed and Jetour. Another sub-brand, iCar, focuses on electric vehicles designed for younger, tech-savvy consumers, offering futuristic styling and competitive pricing.
Like many leading Chinese car manufacturers, Chery has invested in R&D with some of its centers located in Europe and South America, emphasizing its ambition to become a world leader in car production.
7. GAC Group
GAC Group is another leading Chinese automotive conglomerate. The company operates several self-owned brands, including Trumpchi, Hyptec, Hycan, and Aion.
The Aion brand is their electric sub-brand, where its Aion S and Aion V models have been well-received in China. GAC has established joint ventures with several international automakers, including Toyota and Honda, producing vehicles for the Chinese market under these partnerships
The group sold 2.0031 million vehicles in 2024, a 20% decrease over the previous year. However, its overseas sales were up 67.6% year-on-year after selling 127,000 units.
You may also read: Top 10 Electric Car Brands You Need To Know About in 2025
Conclusion
Chinese car manufacturers have evolved significantly from their early days of producing basic, entry-level vehicles. Today, they are globally competitive players, recognized for their advancements in electric mobility, innovation, and affordability. Industry leaders like BYD, Geely, and GWM, which dominate the Chinese domestic market, are increasingly making their mark on the global stage.
With continued investment in technology, expanding international operations, and strong government support through policy incentives, Chinese automakers are poised to play a major role in shaping the future of global mobility.
