‘Selling Cars Like Cabbages?’ China’s Carmakers Are Looking Abroad
According to a report by Leviathan (Liweitan), a Chinese digital science and culture publication, Chinese automakers are gearing up for an aggressive expansion in 2026, setting sales targets that have experts asking: “Are they planning to sell cars like cabbages?”
Ambitious Targets from Big Chinese Automakers
The report highlights the staggering ambition of China’s “new-force” automakers. Geely, Changan, and Chery are each targeting sales of more than 3 million vehicles.
In total, the nine automakers that have released figures so far are aiming for 18.33 million vehicles. Including industry giants such as BYD and SAIC, each of which sold nearly 4.6 million units last year, the total industry target could approach 30 million vehicles.
China’s Car Market Hits a Slowdown
The publication notes that the Chinese auto market is cooling. While sales hit 23.74 million in 2025, much of this was policy-driven. The report argues that natural growth is narrowing, and automakers are facing a “triple hurdle” of profitability, overcapacity, and policy changes, including reduced subsidies for budget EVs in China.
Overseas Expansion: The Key to Survival
The report concludes that to meet these 30 million targets, Chinese automakers must look abroad. With profit margins in the Chinese market squeezed to just 4.4% due to brutal price wars, the overseas market is becoming the “second growth pole.”
For example, the report points out that Chinese cars command higher prices internationally. In Brazil, the BYD Song PLUS DM-i costs approximately 257,400 Yuan (over double its Chinese price), and the flagship BYD Han is nearly three times more expensive than in China.
As the agency observes, success in the cutthroat Chinese market has hardened these manufacturers, giving them a significant advantage as they expand globally. For them, conquering international markets is no longer just an option—it is a necessity.
Pakistan Sees Unprecedented Chinese Auto Influx
As competition intensifies and profit margins in China continue to shrink, emerging markets in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East are increasingly becoming priority destinations.
Pakistan is already feeling the effects of this shift. Last year alone, the local market witnessed an unprecedented number of new car launches, with the majority coming from Chinese automakers offering competitively priced vehicles.
Brands such as MG, Dongfeng, Jaecoo, Forthing, Wuling, Zeekr, BYD, Jetour, Haval, and AVATR all introduced new models, and just yesterday, Chery added the Tiggo 8 PHEV to the growing list.
Together, these launches highlight that Pakistan is already part of the current wave of Chinese automotive expansion.
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