Which Chinese-made cars are taking over global roads? While official 2026 full-year model-by-model export rankings aren’t available yet, the 2024 data tells a clear story—and 2026’s brand-level numbers reveal the rising stars. In this post, we break down the top exporting single models from China, from Chery’s enduring dominance to BYD’s electrifying surge.
The Data Reality: What We Know (and Don’t Know)
As of July 2026, no authoritative institution has released a complete ranking of single-model export sales for the full year 2026. The most detailed, verified model-level export data currently available is from full-year 2024.
However, we can piece together a strong picture:
- 2024 data: Provides the definitive ranking of export champion models.
- 2026 brand-level data: Shows which manufacturers are growing fastest, allowing us to infer which models are driving the surge.
- 2026 trends: Point to a clear shift toward BYD’s new energy vehicle (NEV) lineup while Chery’s multi-model strategy maintains its lead.
2024 Full-Year Ranking: The Export Champion Models
Based on 2024 customs and industry data, these were the single models that dominated China’s auto exports:
| Rank | Model | Estimated 2024 Exports (Units) | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chery Tiggo 7 | ~238,000 | Russia, Brazil, Middle East |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 (China-made) | ~183,000 | Europe, Australia, Japan |
| 3 | Chery Tiggo 5X | ~150,000-160,000 | Emerging markets |
| 4 | Chery Omoda 5 | ~140,000-150,000 | Global strategic model |
| 5 | MG ZS | ~130,000-140,000 | Europe, Australia |
| 6 | BYD Song PLUS (incl. NEV) | ~78,000 (Jan-Oct, on track for ~100k+) | Multiple markets |
| 7 | MG 5 | ~60,000-70,000 | Europe (sedan favorite) |
| 8 | BYD Yuan PLUS (Atto 3) | Rapid growth, exact figure pending | Global multi-market |
| 9 | Haval Jolion | High volume, low domestic sales | Overseas exclusive model |
| 10 | BYD Seagull | Ramped up exports in H2 2024 | Micro-EV segment |
Key takeaway: Chery’s Tiggo 7 was the undisputed champion, while Tesla’s Model 3 and BYD’s expanding lineup showed the growing power of “new energy” exports.
2026 H1 Brand-Level Performance: Who’s Winning Now?
While we don’t have the 2026 model-level ranking yet, brand export volumes for the first half of 2026 give us a clear proxy for model strength. The top manufacturers and their likely export drivers are:
| Rank | Brand | H1 2026 Exports (Units) | Core Export Models (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chery | ~932,000 | Tiggo 7/8, Omoda, Jetour series |
| 2 | BYD | ~769,000 | Song PLUS, Seagull, Sealion 07, Yuan PLUS |
| 3 | Geely | ~465,000 | Geometry series, Lynk & Co, Galaxy series |
| 4 | SAIC Motor (MG) | ~404,000 | MG4, MG ZS, MG5 |
| 5 | Tesla China | ~229,000 | Model 3, Model Y |
Notable 2026 trends:
- BYD’s NEV matrix is closing the gap with Chery, driven by the Seagull (micro-EV) and Sealion 07 (SUV) in addition to the established Song PLUS and Yuan PLUS.
- Chery’s multi-brand approach (Chery, Omoda, Jetour) keeps it at #1, but its growth rate is being challenged by BYD’s electrified offensive.
- SAIC’s MG brand remains Europe’s favorite Chinese nameplate, with the MG4 and MG ZS leading the charge.
- Tesla China continues to leverage its Shanghai Gigafactory as a global export hub.
What This Means for Global Buyers and Investors
- For car buyers: If you’re considering a Chinese-made export model, the 2024 champions (Tiggo 7, Model 3, MG ZS) have proven global reliability and parts availability. But 2026’s rising stars—especially BYD’s NEVs—offer newer tech and better local service networks in many regions.
- For investors: The transition from “Chery-led” to “BYD-challenged” is real. Watch for:
- BYD’s model-level data when released—it could signal a new #1.
- Geely’s premium push via Lynk & Co and Galaxy in Europe.
- Localization efforts (overseas factories) by all top brands to bypass tariff barriers.
- For competitors: Chinese exports are no longer just about low cost. The 2026 data shows they’re winning on NEV technology, supply chain integration, and speed-to-market—especially in emerging economies.
The Bottom Line
Chery remains the volume king, but BYD is the electrifying challenger. While the 2026 full-year model ranking is still pending, all signs point to a new competitive landscape where new energy vehicles—led by BYD’s diverse lineup—are closing the gap on traditional gasoline champions like the Tiggo 7.
What’s next? We’ll update this post as soon as official 2026 model-level export data is published. For now, the 2024 ranking provides a solid baseline, and the 2026 H1 brand data reveals the momentum shift.
