Yichang-made vehicles drive export surge to global markets

By Yan Wanqin

Automotive exports from Yichang have grown significantly in 2025. Data from the Yichang branch of GAC’s international sales unit shows that more than 3,000 fully assembled vehicles were exported during the year. In 2025, the company’s total export value reached 240 million yuan, more than seven times higher than in 2024.
 

Founded in September 2024 in Xiaoting District, the company achieved its first direct vehicle export later that year. On December 30, 350 vehicles worth 30.7 million yuan were shipped from Taicang Port to Europe. In October 2025, the company further expanded its global presence by exporting 464 GS3 EMZOOM SUVs, produced at the GAC Trumpchi plant in Yichang. The vehicles were transported by rail to Guangzhou’s Nansha Port and then shipped to Mexico, with an export value of 36 million yuan.

Xiaoting District is now home to 45 foreign trade enterprises, nine of which reported import and export volumes exceeding 100 million yuan in 2025. In recent years, local authorities have introduced targeted trade facilitation measures focused on logistics, market access, and policy support.

Lu Danrong, senior manager of sales and operations, said the company will strengthen international market analysis and further refine its product offerings. It also plans to expand into areas such as used vehicles and lubricants to extend the industrial chain and build a more diversified export structure combining vehicles and related products.

To sustain growth, Yichang plans to introduce more tailored support mechanisms for key exporters, aiming to further integrate local manufacturing into global supply chains.

Xiong Xiaolei also contributed to this story.