Auto growth intact, global lead in sight

Govt official, industry experts voice optimism as 2023 data preview strong

China is optimistic about the growth momentum of the automobile industry this year, and the world's biggest auto market was expected to become the top auto exporter globally for the first time in 2023, said a senior official of the country's top industry regulator on Friday.

Although full-year data for 2023 is yet to be published, the official's optimism offers a glimpse of China's growing prowess in automobiles, especially new energy vehicles or NEVs and related industry chains like batteries, industry experts said.

Such obvious advantages will make the country's auto products very competitive worldwide amid a reconfiguration of the global supply chain, they said.