Chinese cars accelerate in Asia, Africa and South America

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.

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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%.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Source: https://baonghean.vn/xe-trung-quoc-tang-toc-tai-chau-a-chau-phi-va-nam-my-10308965.html