Chinese Cars for Sale Worldwide: The Essentials
Yes. China Automobile is an authorised Chinese car dealer with an office in China. We buy vehicles directly from Chinese manufacturers and authorised exporters, invoice you ourselves and ship to the destination port you name. Private buyers, dealerships, importers and fleet operators can send an enquiry at chinaautomobiles.com/contact-us.
All of them. We supply battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), full hybrids (HEV), petrol and diesel models, and commercial vehicles. An electric car works best when you can charge at home or at your business. If public charging is thin where you live or you drive long distances, a plug-in hybrid, a hybrid or a petrol model is often the easier choice.
It depends on the model and the version. Hot markets call for strong air conditioning, battery thermal management and a good cooling system. Cold markets call for a heat pump or battery pre-heating in an electric car. At high altitude, naturally aspirated petrol engines lose power, while turbocharged and electric drivetrains hold up better. Tell us where the vehicle will run and we will point you to versions built for those conditions.
A local dealer sells a vehicle that is already imported, registered or ready to register, with local warranty and service. Buying from us gives you factory-direct pricing without a chain of middlemen, which can lower the purchase cost. In return you handle import clearance, duties, taxes and registration in your own country, or you hire a customs broker to do it.
We take care of everything up to the destination port: factory purchase, inspection, Chinese export clearance, sea freight and export documents. After the vehicle arrives, you or your customs broker clear it with your national customs authority, pay the import duties and taxes, and register the vehicle with the local licensing office. We supply every export document that process needs.
In the SUV segment, Chery, Haval, Geely and Changan compete with Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Volkswagen models. In pickups, JAC, GWM and Foton are alternatives to the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu D-Max. In electric and hybrid cars, BYD, MG, Xpeng and Zeekr offer choices that are still uncommon in many markets.
Several Chinese models, such as the BYD Atto 3 and the MG4, have earned five stars from Euro NCAP. Not every model has been tested by an independent body. Check the rating of the model you want at euroncap.com, asean-ncap.org, latinncap.com or ancap.com.au, and ask us for the specification sheet of the exact version we would export, including its airbags and driver-assistance systems.
Fuel price swings pushed many buyers to look at electric, hybrid and fuel-efficient models, and Chinese manufacturers lead in battery technology and electric vehicle production. Competitive pricing, modern technology and a wide choice of SUVs, sedans, pickups and vans have done the rest. Some governments also lower duties on electric and hybrid vehicles, so confirm the rules in your country before ordering.
Popular Chinese Car Brands
BYD is one of the largest electric vehicle makers in the world and develops its own batteries, chips and drive systems. Its Blade Battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, and its DM-i plug-in hybrid system runs mainly on electric power with a petrol engine as backup. Well-known models include the Atto 3, the Dolphin, the Seal and the Seal U.
MG is a historic British marque that now belongs to the Chinese group SAIC. Current models are designed and built in China. The brand is well known in many markets with models such as the MG4, the MG ZS and the MG HS.
Chery is one of the longest-established Chinese exporters. In international markets it also sells under the Omoda and Jaecoo sub-brands, which focus on SUVs in petrol, hybrid and electric versions. We supply Chery models such as the Tiggo series, subject to availability.
Geely is a large Chinese group that owns Volvo Cars, Polestar and Lotus. Volvo remains a Swedish company with its own technology. The Chinese-market brands in the group include Geely itself and the premium electric brand Zeekr, with models such as the Zeekr 001, 007 and X.
GWM sells SUVs under the Haval name, including the H6 and the Jolion, premium off-roaders under Tank, compact electric cars under Ora and pickups under Poer. Haval suits buyers who want a petrol or hybrid SUV for city and highway driving.
Changan is a Chinese state-owned manufacturer that builds conventional petrol models such as the Uni series, along with the electric and extended-range brands Deepal and Avatr. It suits two kinds of buyers: those who prefer a petrol SUV and those who want an electric car.
Xiaomi, NIO and Xpeng are pure electric brands with highly developed software and driver assistance. NIO is known for its battery-swap stations, which are not available in most countries. Services outside China vary by brand, so talk through after-sales support with us before you place an order.
Foton, JAC and Shacman build vans, pickups, trucks and buses, mostly with diesel engines and increasingly with electric drive. The right choice depends on the payload you need and on your country’s import and emissions rules for each vehicle category.
SUVs and Choosing the Right Model for Your Market
For mixed city and highway driving, compact and mid-size SUVs offer the best balance of size, running cost and price, whether in electric, hybrid or petrol form. Examples from our range include the BYD Atto 3, the MG ZS, the Chery Tiggo, the Haval H6 and Geely models.
It depends on where you can charge. If you have a garage or a workplace with a charging point, an electric SUV is cheap to run. If you live in an apartment without charging, or you often travel to places without chargers, a plug-in hybrid gives you more freedom: it runs on electricity day to day and on petrol for long trips.
Range varies noticeably. Long climbs use more energy and descents let regenerative braking win some back. Freezing weather and heavy air conditioning in extreme heat also cut range. The official WLTP figure is a reference, not a guarantee. Ask us which battery version suits your routes and climate.
Many SUVs can carry a tow bar, but the permitted towing capacity differs a lot between models and versions. Ask about the towing capacity and the tow ball load when you send your enquiry, and check with your local licensing authority whether fitting a tow bar needs approval.
Most Chinese vehicles are built left-hand drive, which suits countries that drive on the right. Right-hand-drive export versions exist for some models, which matters in markets such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa and much of South and Southeast Asia. Tell us your country in the enquiry and we will confirm which steering side is available for the model you want.
Connector types differ by region, for example CCS2 in Europe and many other markets, CCS1 in North America and GB/T in China. Confirm the connector for the version we export and check that compatible public chargers exist in your area. For home charging, ask us about the on-board charger power and the cable supplied with the vehicle.
Mid-size petrol SUVs such as the Haval H6 or the Chery Tiggo use about as much fuel as comparable Japanese or Korean models. At high altitude a naturally aspirated engine uses more because it makes less power. Official WLTP figures vary by engine and transmission, and we quote them per model.
Pickups and Commercial Vehicles
We supply, among others, pickups from GWM, vans and light trucks from Foton and JAC, and heavy trucks and buses from Shacman. The range includes diesel, petrol and electric versions, depending on the model.
Classification depends on the vehicle version and its customs tariff code, and that determines the duties you pay and the category it is registered in. Confirm the code and the tax treatment with your customs broker and your national customs authority, and ask us for the technical data you need for the process.
Yes. Chinese electric vans are available and suit urban delivery work well. Ask about payload, range and the availability of the export version, and make sure you have somewhere to charge them in your operation.
Heavy vehicles face stricter rules than light ones, including import conditions by category, emissions standards and road-use and safety requirements. Talk these points through with us before you order so the export version matches the regulations of your country.
Yes. We supply fleets to dealerships, leasing companies, logistics operators, construction and mining firms, public bodies and NGOs. State the number of vehicles, the model you want and your delivery deadline in your enquiry, and we prepare a quotation for the whole order.
For commercial vehicles, pickups, trucks and buses, diesel is standard. In Chinese passenger cars the diesel choice is limited, because most brands concentrate on petrol, hybrid and electric models. Some countries restrict the import of light diesel vehicles or tighten emissions limits, so confirm the rules with your customs authority before ordering.
The licence category depends on the vehicle type and its weight. Check the gross vehicle weight of the model you like and ask your national or regional licensing authority which category applies to your use, private or professional.
Export, Shipping and Costs to Your Country
We buy the vehicle from the manufacturer, inspect it before shipment, clear it for export in China and book the sea freight to the destination port. You receive the certificate of origin, the commercial invoice, the packing list and the bill of lading. After the vehicle arrives at the port, you handle import clearance and registration.
Sea freight from the main Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Tianjin, Qingdao and Shenzhen usually takes one to two weeks to Southeast Asia, two to four weeks to the Gulf, Australia and New Zealand, and four to eight weeks to Africa, Europe and the Americas. The exact time depends on the loading port, the shipping line and any transshipment. Factory purchase, inspection and export clearance come on top of that.
Under FOB (Free On Board) you take on the freight and insurance from the moment the vehicle is loaded on the ship in China. Under CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) we pay for the sea freight and minimum transit insurance up to the destination port. Both terms are stated clearly in your quotation.
You receive the certificate of origin, the commercial invoice, the packing list and the bill of lading. With these, you or your customs broker can prepare the import declaration for your national customs authority. To operate as an importer you may also need a tax registration or an importer licence, depending on your country.
Duties and taxes vary widely from country to country and often depend on the vehicle type, engine size and powertrain. Some governments reduce duties on electric and hybrid vehicles, while others add surcharges on them. Ask your customs authority or customs broker for the current rates and the classification of the model you want.
Vehicles usually travel on roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ships or, for some orders, in containers. We deliver to the main commercial port of your country or to another port you name, such as Jebel Ali, Mombasa, Durban, Lagos, Santos, Callao, Rotterdam or Antwerp. State your preferred port when you send your enquiry.
No. We handle the export from China and the delivery up to the destination port. We are not a customs broker. We do give you all the export documents that you or your broker need for customs clearance, registration and inland transport.
Pricing and Value
Our quotations and commercial invoices state the currency and the amount per vehicle, normally in US dollars. Payment is made by international bank transfer on the terms in the quotation. Before you sign, check with your bank the requirements and the lead time for sending foreign currency abroad.
Chinese manufacturers benefit from lower production costs, an integrated supply chain, a very strong battery industry and large production volumes. Import duties, taxes and logistics in your country then narrow part of the price gap.
The total includes the vehicle price (FOB or CIF), freight and insurance where applicable, import duty and taxes, customs broker fees, port handling, inland transport, any roadworthiness inspection and registration. We state our price per vehicle, and you add the local costs of your country.
Registration fees and annual road taxes depend on your country, and sometimes on the vehicle’s value, engine size or emissions. Many countries tax electric vehicles differently from petrol ones. Check the current amounts with your licensing authority before you order.
Resale values for Chinese brands are less predictable than those of long-established brands, because many entered markets only recently. A solid service network and a clear warranty help keep value.
Yes. You receive a written quotation with the price, the delivery terms, the currency and the validity period. That way you know where you stand, even if exchange rates or freight rates move after the quotation expires.
After-Sales, Warranty and Support
We put the vehicle warranty in writing, including its duration and what it covers, in the quotation and in the sales contract. Battery warranties on electric vehicles are set by the manufacturer. Read these terms carefully before you sign and ask us about the model you are considering.
We can supply spare parts through our export team in China, depending on the brand and model. For the most common wear parts, talk to us when you buy about which ones to order together with the vehicle.
Servicing can be done by a local workshop familiar with the brand. For any roadworthiness or emissions test required in your country, use an approved inspection centre and check the current requirements with your licensing authority.
Over-the-air updates and companion apps work fully only if the brand has adapted its connected services to the market where you use the car. This varies by brand and model, so ask us about availability in your country before you buy.
Recall campaigns are started by the manufacturer. For the models we supply, we pass on the manufacturer notices that come to our attention.
In general, insurers around the world also cover Chinese brands, but acceptance and premiums differ by insurer and brand. Compulsory third-party cover is required in most countries. Collect several insurance quotes before the vehicle arrives.
Under CIF we include minimum transit insurance. We recommend broader cover, and under FOB you arrange the insurance yourself. Inspect the vehicle on receipt, note any damage immediately on the delivery document and contact us.