Chinese electric automakers see potential growth in foreign markets considering the worldwide campaign for sustainable transportation. Established and startup EV companies have started or planned to expand operations beyond their homeland, the largest auto market in the world.
Chinese EV companies’ ventures in foreign markets
Jordan
Local newspaper China Daily reported that Hozon successfully delivered hundreds of its Neta U and V models in Jordan last week. Notably, the Western Asian market is the Chinese EV startup’s latest expansion in foreign countries.
“Fuel is expensive in Jordan so there is a big potential for new energy vehicles.”
Hozon spokesperson
The report also presented Jordan’s EV import data in January, which reached 2,036 EVs (up 72% YoY). In hindsight, the country’s FY 2022 EV import was 16,990 units.
Apart from Jordan, Hozon initially penetrated Thailand in August 2022. Notably, the Chinese automaker now offers its three models in the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Israel
China’s electric vehicles are also prevalently imported into Israel in the Middle East. Israel Vehicle Importers Association’s data reveals that China is currently the country’s top passenger car supplier since January.
Remarkably, Chinese EV sales recorded 7,753 units in January, indicating a notable increase from 2022’s record of just 685. According to the report, BYD‘s Atto 3 is currently the country’s most popular EV in sales, recording nearly 3,000 unit sales in the first month of the year.
In hindsight, Geely‘s Geometry C was the bestselling EV in Israel in 2022. Its sales reached 5,381 units last year, surpassing the famous Tesla Model 3‘s 5,381 units.
In addition, State-owned premium EV brand Voyah launched its first electric SUV in Israel. Per the report, the model offers a maximum range of 500 km. It can apparently charge from 20%-80% within just 45 minutes.
“In the future, we will bring more green and smart cars to the Israeli people.”
Lu Fang, Voyah CEO
Given their competence in the said technology, Chinese EV makers’ success in Israel is not surprising. The report noted the following major factors affecting Chinese EVs’ popularity in the country:
· advanced technologies
· higher availability
· better configurations
Panama
Chinese major EV firms BYD and Geely are also reportedly planning to penetrate the EV market in Panama. In fact, they exhibited their EV models at an e-mobility expo in late February, per Xinhua News Agency.
Interestingly, the Central American country has the potential to have a flourishing EV industry owing to its newly passed Electric Mobility Law in April 2022. In essence, it urges car companies and government agencies to join the EV drive for more sustainable mobility.
German Mendez, BYD Panama’s commercial manager
The Chinese power battery and EV giant targets a market share growth of 40% to 50% this year, which will be aided by its expansion efforts in the past two years, per Mendez.
Meanwhile, Geely Panama’s commercial manager Moises Soto is positive about the country’s newly passed law.
“The Electric Mobility Law has helped us a lot to walk through doors that we thought were closed to us.”
Moises Soto, Geely Panama’s commercial manager
Soto has also announced that the automaker will introduce its first electric car offering in Panama in June this year.
Uzbekistan
Yutong is set to ship a batch of its electric buses to Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent. The e-buses were included in the city government’s total order of 800 units.
Yutong stated that the mix includes 300 e-buses and 500 compressed natural gas ones. Notably, the entire order is expected to be delivered in the city this year, per the company.
In hindsight, Tashkent bought 20 new energy buses from Yutong in early 2022, per the company’s Senior Executive Li Haifeng. This fleet has been on the Tashkent roads for a year already.
Furthermore, Yutong has already deployed its new energy buses in over 30 countries and regions. The report noted that Yutong is either the sole or leading supplier of new energy buses in Uzbekistan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
China’s NEV exports
The number of NEVs exported from China is projected to hit 800,000 units this year, a significant increase from 679,000 units in 2022. China EV 100’s VP Zhang Yongwei argued that the projected growth would aid the nation’s overall car exports.
Furthermore, China’s overall car exports may increase by at least 20% YoY to 3.73 million units, according to the Chinese Association of Automobile Manufacturers’ projection in early 2023.
