Why are Chinese used cars so popular in overseas markets? These are the key reasons.

With the promotion of the trade-in policy, many people have accelerated the frequency of replacing their own cars. So, where do some well-maintained used cars go? In addition to the continuous rise in domestic used car market transactions, the export volume of used cars has also been increasing recently.

At the international operations department of an automobile company in Ruian City, Zhejiang Province, sales staff are busy taking orders, finding vehicles, and dispatching them. The company has just finalized an order for 300 used cars with a client in the UAE, and the person in charge is working tirelessly to gather the sales staff to assign tasks.

Liu Jun, Director of International Operations at a certain automotive company:Once the client comes online in the afternoon, the contract will be finalized. After receiving the deposit, we will immediately notify Yixia so that we can start sourcing vehicles from our domestic suppliers in the morning.

The vehicles needed this time were scheduled for delivery in April of this year. After gaining an initial understanding of the needs of overseas car buyers, the sales staff began to work separately on processes such as vehicle sourcing, contract signing, quality inspection, and customs clearance preparation.

Liu Jun, Director of International Operations at a certain automotive company:After our vehicles complete the export formalities locally, we will ship them by sea to Shanghai and Ningbo. Once they arrive at Ningbo port, we can complete all the formalities on the same day or the next day and then send the vehicles out.

Since exporting its first used car overseas last year, the company's export services have gradually expanded from the previous routine individual customer procurement business to large-scale export business. Last year, the company's foreign trade orders for used cars exceeded 3,000 units, with a total export contract value of 300 million yuan, representing a six-fold increase compared to 2023. The company has also successfully expanded into the Middle East, Russia, and African markets.

Liu Jun, Director of International Operations at a certain automotive company:Thanks to China's "leapfrog development" in new energy vehicles, they are highly competitive overseas. Firstly, their configurations are very high; some features that previously cost over a million yuan can now be bought for just over 200,000 yuan. Secondly, they offer excellent value for money, and with further development, their quality has gradually gained recognition from foreign customers.

From setbacks to breakthroughs

Policy support helps used cars "go global".“

The pace of used car exports is accelerating, becoming a new highlight of foreign trade growth. So, why are domestically produced used cars so popular in overseas markets?

Currently, domestically produced new energy vehicles rely onHigh configuration, low costIts advantages enabled it to rapidly capture the global market, a success supported by numerous innovative technologies. In particular...Battery technologyIt uses lithium iron phosphate and ternary lithium batteries.This increases battery energy density, reduces costs, and significantly improves driving range.These innovations have not only boosted the global competitiveness of domestically produced new energy vehicles, but also further driven the export of used new energy vehicles.

Meanwhile, sales of used commercial vehicles and construction machinery vehicles followed closely, attracting more automakers to this "new blue ocean" of used car exports. However, in the initial stages, due to a lack of experience and unfamiliarity with the procedures, companies often encountered setbacks in obtaining export licenses and other related issues.

Chen Yu, Chairman of an international trading company:When we received our first used car export order, we were very happy. However, when we learned about car exports, we found that because car batteries are classified as dangerous goods, the export license for new energy vehicles is different from that for ordinary goods. We consulted the customs department and the Ruian Municipal Bureau of Commerce.

With the combined assistance of customs and commerce departments, the company successfully completed the necessary customs clearance procedures and obtained its license.

Su Yipeng, Deputy Director of the Wenzhou Customs Office in Ruiao: Vigorously promote advance declaration and appointment-based inspectionWe have implemented measures to facilitate customs clearance and established a close data sharing mechanism with port customs, enabling real-time data interaction, which ensures the smooth completion of our used car exports.

To provide greater convenience and services to businesses, the Wenzhou Selda Customs Supervision and Operation Site has been established in Ruian, allowing goods exported from Ruian to be handled within the designated areas.“After completing a series of customs supervision procedures, including declaration, inspection, sealing, and transit, right at their doorstep, they can exit the country in one stop.。

At the same time, the local government, together with the municipal financial service center and relevant banks, convened a financing matchmaking meeting for used car export companies, and provided special credit lines for used car export businesses, which effectively alleviated the financial pressure on enterprises.

According to statistics, in 2024, Ruian City exported more than 3,900 used cars, with an export value of 460 million yuan.

Lin Shengfeng, Chief of the Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Section of the Ruian Municipal Bureau of Commerce:We currently have 5 export companies, and we plan to reach 10 this year through the cultivation of key enterprises. We will also increase our support and guide enterprises to go global.