For an extended period, there has been a prevailing notion that China's automotive industry lagged behind Europe and the United States by a full century.

Indeed, when considering the historical trajectory of automotive development, China did commence its journey over a century later. It wasn't until 1956 that China produced its inaugural automobile—the 'Jiefang' brand truck.

Subsequently, in the realm of sedan production, China forged collaborations with renowned brands such as Volkswagen, leveraging their expertise and technology to propel its own development.

In its nascent stages, the domestic automotive sector held minimal influence in the oil-fueled vehicle market, predominantly following the lead of European, American, and Japanese automakers, absorbing and emulating their practices. These early Chinese automobiles primarily targeted the low-end market segment, capitalizing on opportunities overlooked by others.

During this period, European, American, Japanese, and Korean manufacturers regarded Chinese automobiles with disdain, viewing them not as a threat but merely as a minor inconvenience. After all, in the eyes of many, joint-venture and imported vehicles were deemed vastly superior to their domestic counterparts.

However, as the adage goes, 'fortunes change in thirty years,' and 'one should never underestimate the potential of the young.' In recent years, China's automotive industry has witnessed exponential growth, particularly amidst the global transition towards new energy vehicles. Chinese automobiles have emerged as frontrunners in the new energy vehicle sector.

Fueled by immense domestic demand and relentless innovation, the Chinese automotive industry has truly ascended. China now stands as the world's foremost manufacturer, exporter, and seller of automobiles.

Data from 2025 reveals that China currently manufactures 35.83% of the world's automobiles, constituting over one-third of the global total. In simpler terms, at least one out of every three automobiles produced worldwide originates from China.

The United States, ranking second, accounts for a mere 10.63%, trailed by Japan with 8.73%, India with 6.73%, Germany with 4.3%, and South Korea with 4.26%.

The cumulative share of the countries ranked second through sixth still falls short of China's individual contribution.

It is noteworthy to reflect on the erstwhile dominance of American, Japanese, German, and Korean brands, which once served as exemplars for Chinese automakers to learn from and emulate (some might even say replicate). Yet, today, the combined efforts of these nations pale in comparison to China's.

Of course, it is crucial to acknowledge that China's manufacturing share encompasses not only indigenous Chinese brands but also numerous foreign brands produced within its borders, such as Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and others.

Nevertheless, this underscores the genuine ascendancy of China's automotive industry.

Now, the global automotive industry must take heed of China's lead. With China manufacturing, exporting, and selling more automobiles than any other nation, coupled with its formidable advantages in the new energy vehicle sector, the automotive industries of other countries—whether the once-dominant United States, Japan, or Germany—cannot hope to rival China's prowess.