KATHMANDU: China’s automobile industry is no longer focused only on competition in its domestic market. Major Chinese automakers are now looking at the global market and expanding their presence overseas.
Companies such as BYD, Geely and SAIC Motor are among the biggest names leading this expansion. Along with them, brands including Chery, Dongfeng, Great Wall Motor (GWM), Changan and BAIC are also playing an important role in China’s growing vehicle exports.
Newer companies such as Leapmotor are also becoming part of China’s expanding global auto industry.
Chinese automakers are targeting markets across Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Competitive pricing, advanced technology and large production capacity have helped them increase their presence in international markets.
Among the major Chinese automakers, BYD, Geely and SAIC are following different strategies to strengthen their global businesses.
The three major players
BYD has become one of China’s largest automakers. The company operates several brands, including BYD, Denza, Yangwang and Fangchengbao, covering mass-market to premium segments.
BYD sold around 4.6 million new-energy vehicles in 2025. Its strong position in batteries, electric powertrains and other key technologies has helped it grow rapidly in the EV market.
The company has also been expanding its international business at a fast pace. BYD exported more than 1 million vehicles in 2025 for the first time. Its international sales continued to grow in 2026, with the company selling vehicles in more than 120 countries and regions.
Geely is competing through a multi-brand strategy. Its group includes Geely, Geely Galaxy, Lynk & Co and Zeekr, among other brands.
Geely Auto sold around 3.02 million vehicles in 2025, including around 1.69 million new-energy vehicles. The company is also increasing its presence outside China through exports and local production.
SAIC Motor, meanwhile, has been one of China’s long-established major automakers. Its portfolio includes MG, Roewe, IM Motors and Maxus, while SAIC-GM-Wuling is another major part of its business.
SAIC has a strong position in the mass-market segment and has a long-established international network. It also manufactures vehicles in partnership with several international automakers.
BYD’s rapid global expansion
BYD has made a major push into international markets, with electric vehicles playing an important role in its expansion.
The company crossed the 1 million mark in overseas sales in 2025. It has continued expanding its presence in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other markets.
BYD’s strength comes from its large EV production scale and control over important technologies, particularly batteries and electric powertrains.
The company is also expanding production outside China. It has established or announced manufacturing operations in several overseas markets as it seeks to strengthen its local presence.
BYD has also established a strong position in Nepal, where it has become one of the leading EV brands.
Geely’s focus on local production
Geely is taking a slightly different approach. Along with increasing overseas sales, the company is focusing on producing vehicles in local markets.
In 2025, Geely sold around 420,000 vehicles in international markets. Its overseas business has continued to expand as the company enters new markets.
Geely has established production or assembly operations in countries such as Indonesia, Egypt and Kazakhstan. Europe is also an important target for the company.
The company is using electric and hybrid models to strengthen its position in international markets. Its multi-brand strategy also allows it to target different price and vehicle segments.
SAIC benefits from its established network
SAIC Motor has an advantage that comes from its long-established international network. Its MG brand has a particularly strong presence in Europe and other overseas markets.
In 2025, SAIC sold more than 1 million vehicles outside China. Its products and services are available in more than 170 countries and regions.
MG remains an important part of SAIC’s overseas business, while brands such as Wuling and Maxus are also expanding into international markets.
The company’s existing network gives SAIC an advantage as Chinese automakers compete for a larger share of global markets.
Competition is not limited to vehicle sales
The strategies of these three companies show that competition in China’s automobile industry is entering a new stage.
BYD’s strengths are its large EV production scale, battery technology and powertrain capabilities. Geely is moving forward with the support of its multi-brand strategy and local production. SAIC has the advantage of its established international network and global presence.
Therefore, the next stage of competition will not be limited to selling more vehicles in China. Automakers will compete on technology, pricing, brand strength, after-sales service and local production.
The company that can bring these elements together quickly and effectively will be in a stronger position to expand its global business.
Challenges for the three companies
The three companies also face different challenges as they expand. BYD still has room to improve in areas such as software and infotainment as it moves further into international and premium markets. Some of its entry-level models could also benefit from further design development.
For Geely, managing its growing number of brands could become a challenge. The company needs to maintain clear positioning among its different brands while expanding into more markets. Battery supply and technology dependence are also areas it needs to manage as EV sales grow.
SAIC’s large corporate structure can make decision-making more complex compared with newer private-sector competitors. The company has also lost its long-standing position as China’s largest automaker to faster-growing companies such as BYD and Geely.
