Japan had been the world's top auto exporter since 2017. China's automobile exports totaled 4.91 million units last year, up 57.9 percent.
One vehicle in three exported from China was electric (1.77 million units, + 67.1% over one year), according to the country's customs. The meteoric rise of Chinese manufacturers worries both car manufacturers in Europe and Japan, where local producers are lagging behind in 100% electric production as in Western countries. The European Commission opened an investigation last September into alleged illegal subsidies from Beijing to Chinese electric manufacturers, accused of unfair competition.