There are some surprising realizations and surprises in ranking the top Chinese automakers based on sales volume.
China is an entirely different country. This country is quite different from the west in many ways, including culturally, politically and economically. This is true for the automotive industry, which has the largest market in the world. It also includes many brands and models that are not available elsewhere.
Due to high local demand, Chinese companies have mainly focused on the domestic market. They will eventually expand their business internationally, but sooner or later. These are the top nine Chinese automakers, ranked according to sales volume.
9: GAC Group (Guangzhou Automobile Group).
This group sold 450,000 units through Trumpchi, Aion, and GAC in 2021. These include SUVs in various sizes and a few sedans as well as interesting electric vehicles.
It also produces cars in a joint venture with Mitsubishi and Toyota. GAC’s expansion into the United States and Europe has not yet reached the United States. However, the group is making investments with Toyota in order to produce more electric cars.
8: Build Your Dreams
BYD Company purchased Qinchuan Automobile in 2003. The company was founded last year and sold 740,000 vehicles. The Ocean family includes the Dolfin and Seal as well as many other models. BYD has an existing presence in Europe and the Middle East, and sells Tang SUVs in certain European markets.
7: Dongfeng
Dongfeng has many brands, including Venucia and Fengdu, Aeolus as well as Voyah and Voyah. It also makes cars for Honda, Nissan and Kia. This group sold 762 000 vehicles in 2021 (excluding joint ventures), an increase of 13 percent over 2020 and 23 percent over 2019.
Dongfeng markets a few vehicles in Europe (Seres 3 Dongfeng 580 and F5), but its strongest position in global markets is in the light commercial vehicle segment.
6: FAW (First Car Factory).
It was established in 1953. Because of its strong connections to Chinese officials, it is one the most important manufacturers in China. The company sold 810,000 vehicles last year under its various brands, including Jiefang trucks and Bestune traditional cars as well as Hongqi luxury cars.
This brand is responsible for the production of the Hongqi L5, China’s official state car. FAW is a joint venture with Toyota, General Motors and Volkswagen Group. Hongqi has the luxury SUV E-HS9 in Norway.
5: Chery Automobile
Chery, a brand that was launched in 1997, is relatively new. Its main products include passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Although it began exporting cars in 2001, its presence in developed countries is very limited. It does have production facilities in Brazil and Egypt, however. Chery sold 962,000 units last year under the brand names Exeed, Karry and Jetour. Chery is the main ingredient in most of the cars DR Automobiles has assembled in Italy.
4: SAIC Motor (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation).
SAIC currently owns MG, Morris Garages and other brands like Roewe and Maxus. SAIC sold 1.11 Million cars in 2021. This excludes the cars produced under joint ventures by GM-Wuling (which makes the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV), Volkswagen, General Motors and Iveco.
This manufacturer, through the MG brand was the second-largest Chinese carmaker in Europe in 2021 in terms of European sales, having sold 53,100 units. This represents more than 80 per cent of all Chinese brands marketed on the Old Continent.
3: Great Wall Motors
The company is privately owned and is best known for its SUVs. It manufactures vehicles under its own brands, including Haval, China’s largest SUV brand, Wey Tank, ORA and Great Wall. While most of the 1.28 million cars it delivered in 2021 were sold to China, the company has started exploring Europe through its ORA brand and retro-styled small cars. Haval is also available in emerging markets like South America and Middle East.
2: Geely Group
It is the most globally recognized Chinese OEM due to its controlling stake Volvo Cars and the strong push by some of its brands beyond China. This conglomerate, which began production of cars under the Geely name in 1997, has sold 2.03 million units.
Geely purchased foreign brands like the Swedish Volvo, Malaysian Proton and Britain’s Lotus many years later. Lynk and Co were also created by Geely. They are very popular in Europe, with great success in Italy and the Netherlands. Geometry, Zeekr and Polestar are all part of the Geely Group.
1: Changan Automobile
It is headquartered in Chongqing in southwest China and sold 2.3 million vehicles in 2021. Volume grew by 15% from 2020 and 31% from 2019. Changan produces vehicles under the Changan brand, which is China’s second most-popular domestic brand in 2021. Changan currently has joint ventures Ford, Mazda. Changan sold more cars last year than any other company, including Mazda and the Tata Group.
