. Japanese automakers joined companies from other countries politically aligned with the U.S. in pulling out of the market following its invasion of Ukraine. China’s did not, and their exports to the market tripled to 140,000 early this year.nearly doubled in the first quarter of the year to 380,000 units. As a result, they accounted for nearly 40 percent of all of its exports.
Although China’s top two export markets were Belgium and Australia, its third biggest was Thailand. Japanese automakers have had traditionally dominated Southeast Asia, but China’s EVs may be helping it to build market share in the region. However, its growing export figures are not being driven exclusively by domestic automakers. America’s Tesla has also started shipping more vehicles from its Shanghai plant to other markets, such as Canada.