Half a year in the industry: BYD and Chery are already in the top ten largest car manufacturers in the world
Chinese car manufacturers BYD and Chery have secured spots in the global top ten, according to CPCA data. In the first half of 2026, China's vehicle exports surged by 65% as brands shift focus to international markets.
Chinese car manufacturers are increasingly capturing market share, and where Toyota and Volkswagen once stood, BYD and Chery are now present. This is according to an analysis published by the CPCA, the umbrella organization for car manufacturers in China.
While this report is not an official analysis by Western bodies, it provides a comprehensive overview of the industry. According to CPCA data based on global sales for the first half of 2026, the rankings are as follows:
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Toyota — 11% of the global market
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Volkswagen — 8.1%
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Hyundai-Kia — 7.6%
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Stellantis — 6%
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Renault-Nissan — 5.4%
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BYD — 4.8%
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Geely — 4.6%
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GM — 4.5%
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Chery — 4.1%
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Ford
The CPCA data also shows that in the first half of 2026, 5.069 million vehicles were exported from China—a 65% increase compared to the first half of 2025. Of these, 235,000 were electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
This trend is not surprising: over the past year, several major Chinese automakers have shifted their sales focus. Facing a saturated local market characterized by fierce competition that eroded profitability, these companies have pivoted toward global expansion, particularly targeting European, African, and South American markets.
