CCTV News: Since 2024, driven by policies on scrapping and updating vehicles as well as trade-ins, the automobile consumer market has been further stimulated. At the same time, the second-hand car market has also shown a significant recovery, achieving year-on-year and month-on-month increases in transaction volumes. It is understood that in addition to the domestic circulation of the second-hand car market accounting for the vast majority, a portion of the replaced second-hand cars have also entered the international market.
In Guangzhou's largest second-hand car trading market, there are quite a few international faces. Staff members report that foreign buyers are very interested in Chinese cars, especially new energy vehicles, and they are particularly decisive when placing orders.
Currently, China's used car exports have transitioned from pilot programs to a full-scale opening, with rapid growth trends observed across various regions. In the first half of 2024, Jiangsu Province exported over 3,500 vehicles, with an export value of approximately $80 million; Tianjin's export value reached nearly 4 billion yuan, a 2.3-fold increase; Inner Mongolia exported a cumulative total of 6,251 used cars in the first three quarters, with an export value exceeding $100 million.
Wang Du, Vice President of the China Automobile Circulation Association, introduced that the used car export market is a highlight at present, with the export volume expanding year by year. China's used car exports have already exceeded 160 countries and regions, and the brands exported by China are gradually establishing a certain brand image in the used car market.
Five years ago, China initiated a pilot program for used car exports in 10 cities. In the starting year of 2019, there were only 3,036 exports, which then broke the 10,000 mark within the following two years. By 2022, this figure soared to 69,000, a year-on-year increase of over 350%.
The latest data from the China Automobile Circulation Association indicates that in the whole year of 2023, used car exports have reached 270,000 units, and it is expected that in 2024, the figure could potentially break through the 400,000-unit milestone.
Multiple regions set up platforms to increase large-scale exports.
In February 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and four other departments issued a notice to carry out used car export business nationwide. At the same time, various regions are actively building platforms to promote the industry towards scaling up.
A few days ago, the Shanghai Port Used Car Export Comprehensive Service Center was officially completed and put into use. As the first used car export inspection point within a port area in the country, the "Service Center" can provide "one-stop" motor vehicle registration and port logistics comprehensive services for used car export enterprises in Shanghai and surrounding provinces and cities. This reduces the risks and transportation costs associated with multiple movements of export vehicles and significantly speeds up the inspection and export efficiency of used cars.
As an important base for China's automotive industry, Chongqing is also vigorously promoting the "Chongqing Vehicles Going Global" action plan. Data shows that in the first half of 2024, Chongqing exported 223,000 vehicles. Among them, 12,796 used cars were exported, with an export value of $360 million, covering 42 countries and regions around the world, becoming a new growth point for foreign trade exports. It is understood that Chongqing's used car exports have also expanded into the mid-to-high-end market.
After establishing the export model of "used car export + bonded + China-Europe Railway Express," Tianjin has been continuously expanding its export business of engineering vehicles, commercial vehicles, traditional energy and new energy passenger cars, and other models in recent years. From January to October 2024, more than 8,000 used cars have been exported in total. Not long ago, Tianjin innovatively launched a cross-border quality assurance service for used car exports, allowing overseas consumers to contact customer service at the first sign of vehicle failure to receive effective after-sales warranty guidance, which helps the industry to develop healthily.