Shenzhen's new energy vehicles (NEVs), a burgeoning mainstay of the city's economy, have charted a promising course in global markets. Official data from Shenzhen Customs show that from January to April of this year, Shenzhen's electric vehicle exports soared to 5.07 billion yuan (US$698 million).
Shenzhen's NEVs are rapidly gaining international traction, propelled by advancements in cutting-edge intelligent manufacturing and the city's robust, well-established industrial and supply chains.
NEV industry leader BYD exported a total of 37,500 vehicles in May this year, a year-on-year increase of 267.5%, to more than 40 cities in over 70 countries and regions on six continents. BYD's swift growth is indicative of the broader trend in Shenzhen's automotive export industry.
Vehicles independently developed by Chinese firms contributed to more than 80% of the total vehicles exported from Shenzhen in the first quarter of this year. Beyond exporting finished vehicles, Shenzhen's auto industry has embraced a variety of export strategies, including the shipment of unassembled vehicles, the establishment of overseas manufacturing facilities, and strategic partnerships with international investors.
Currently, an increasing number of NEV companies are expanding their horizons by establishing local production facilities and tailoring their offerings to meet the specific demands of international markets.
In 2022, Skyworth Automobile officially entered Europe. Its founder, Huang Hongsheng, is also the founder of home appliance giant Skyworth. Qi Kuiyuan, general manager of Skyworth Auto's international marketing center, said the company plans to set up factories overseas in the future and export its technologies to core customers and areas.
Wang Junqing, deputy secretary-general of the Automobile Industry Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, believes that technological innovation is the driving force behind the rapid evolution of the automotive industry towards electrification, intelligent systems, and sustainability.
Groundbreaking technologies, particularly in the areas of intelligent and connected vehicles, have introduced fresh growth opportunities within the automotive sector. Domestic automakers, in particular, have excelled by spearheading the development of smart electric vehicles, thereby bolstering the industry's transformation and advancement.