Chinese cars accelerate in Asia, Africa and South America
Low prices and electric vehicles help Chinese companies accelerate in emerging markets, reaching over 30% in Thailand, Israel, Chile; 9.1% in Brazil and 16.7% in Australia.
Chinese automakers are expanding rapidly in Asia, Africa and South America, benefiting from price advantages and electric vehicle technology. The latest data shows that market share has surpassed 30% in many key markets such as Thailand, Israel and Chile, and is growing rapidly in Brazil and Australia.
Cheap and electric cars: the spearhead of competition
The cost advantage from domestic battery production and an optimized supply chain makes Chinese electric vehicles more competitively priced than Japanese, Korean, European or American products. As a result, consumers in price-sensitive economies have more options to access electric vehicles at reasonable costs.
BYD, Changan, GWM or MG are expanding their presence in Brazil, Thailand, Israel, Indonesia... In particular, the pure electric car BYD Seal has been present in Brazil since 2023, showing a strategy to penetrate emerging markets with a competitively priced electric vehicle portfolio.
Market share shifts rapidly in emerging markets
The wave of Chinese cars is taking market share from long-standing brands such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Fiat, Renault, Volkswagen, Chevrolet and Ford in many countries.
- Brazil: market share increased from 6.8% (9 months 2024) to 9.1% (2025), ranking fourth in the entire market after Fiat, Volkswagen and Chevrolet.
- Australia: Chinese car market share to increase from 11.4% to 16.7% by September 2025.
- Chile: Chinese brands reach 30.9% market share.
- Thailand, Israel: market share over 30%.
- UAE: about 16–17%.
- South Africa, Indonesia: over 12%; in Indonesia, BYD rose to 6th place in the entire market.
- Ukraine: BYD increases market share from 3% to 7.7%.
Notable numbers in 2025
- Uruguay: Chinese car market share to increase by 12.6% compared to 2024.
- Israel: up 11.5%.
- Indonesia: up 6.5%.
- Ukraine: up 6.2%.
- Australia: up 5.3%.
| Market | Market share/volatility | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Over 30% | Chinese car market share |
| Israel | Over 30% | Chinese car market share |
| Chile | 30.9% | Chinese car market share |
| Brazil | 6.8% (9M/2024) → 9.1% (2025) | Chinese company ranks fourth in the entire market |
| Australia | 11.4% → 16.7% (9/2025) | Rapid growth in 2025 |
| UAE | About 16–17% | Chinese car market share |
| South Africa | Over 12% | Chinese car market share |
| Indonesia | Over 12% | BYD ranked 6th in the whole market |
| Ukraine | BYD 3% → 7.7% | BYD's own market share |
Capacity Investment: BYD Opens Factory in Brazil
BYD’s Camacari plant in Brazil is expected to be operational by the end of 2026 and could create 10,000 jobs. Construction had previously been suspended due to allegations of labor abuse.
Impact on traditional firms
The rise of Chinese cars is changing the competitive landscape. In Chile, Chevrolet lost market share to GWM and Changan; in Colombia, Ford was pushed out of the top 10 by BYD; Australia recorded a significant increase in Chinese car market share to 16.7% by September 2025. Japanese, Korean, European and American brands are under pressure in both the mass market and electric vehicle segments.
Challenges remain
Despite their rapid growth, Chinese brands still face challenges in terms of brand trust and safety standards in developed markets. However, in emerging economies, their cost advantage and speed to launch products are making them the top choice.
Prospects
With its growing market share in Asia, Africa and South America, coupled with a flexible expansion strategy and focus on electric vehicles, it is only a matter of time before China becomes the world's number one auto exporting power.
