Once seen as underdogs, the best Chinese car brands have transformed China into a vehicular Valhalla. The vibrant country has hit the international roads running with some of the world’s most innovative cars featuring ultra-modern looks and cutting-edge technology. We’re talking about built-in AI, autonomous driving, and ergonomic interiors that make other luxury brands blush.
The domestic Chinese car market is now the largest in the world, selling a whopping 26.9 million units in 2022, nearly double that of the second-largest market, the United States, with 14.2 million units. But even more impressive is the global expansion of these China car companies. While domestic production and sales have been strong for years, exports rose 55% to 3.4 million vehicles in 2022.
26.9 M
Cars sold in China in 2022.
The growing recognition has ignited a new fire in the global automotive market. This high-performance journey is driving straight into the future, bringing along electronic technology for the ride. If you include plug-in hybrids, BYD has surpassed Tesla as the world’s best-selling electric car maker with 1.86 million units, equal to 18.4% of the global market.
Are you ready for a new automotive landscape focused on sustainable technology? The best Chinese car brands are amped up and ready to charge ahead.
The best Chinese car brands
| Rank | Brand | Annual sales USD |
| 1 | SAIC Motor | 5.3 million |
| 2 | Dongfeng | 3.83 million |
| 3 | FAW Group | 3.5 million |
| 4 | GAC Group | 2.43 million |
| 5 | Changan Auto | 2.35 million |
| 6 | BYD Auto | 1.88 million |
| 7 | Chery | ~1.48 million |
| 8 | Geely Auto | 1.43 million |
| 9 | Great Wall Motor | 1.06 million |
| 10 | BAIC Group | 947,000 |
SAIC Motor
Nearly any list of the best cars from China will have some mention of SAIC Motor. It’s not only one of the top 10 Chinese car brands. It sits in the 10 largest car brands by revenue worldwide. This behemoth automaker dishes out an impressive 5.3 million units per year, with more than 1 million NEVs.
SAIC has fragmented its sales into many labels, including luxury EV brand IM Motors, MPY, and SUV brand Maxus, and joint venture projects such as Wuling and Baojun. It also has ownership of British labels Roewe and MG.
With this wide diversification, this Chinese car company hits both tradition and innovation in the same stride. Although it may not be one of the most popular luxury brands, the brand’s presence is spreading like wildfire.
| Year founded: | 1955 |
| Annual sales: | 5.3 million |
| Most popular model: | Wuling Hongguang |
| Official website: | saicmotor.com |
Dongfeng
Best known for its affordable lineup, Dongfeng offers a variety of passenger and commercial vehicles produced under its namesake brand as well as subsidiary and collaborative companies. Each ride brings value and performance by riding a straight path without cutting corners.
The Dongfeng garage has recently streamlined the empire, with its three main labels of Aeolus (Fengshen), Nammi, and eπ now under one unified structure. Not only is this one of China’s biggest car producers, but it’s also a major employer with well over 120,000 people under its wing.
| Year founded: | 1969 |
| Annual sales: | 3.83 million |
| Most popular model: | Fengshen E70 |
| Official website: | dongfeng-global.com |
FAW Group
This Chinese car company has been producing vehicles since before color television, creating China’s first domestically produced car in 1953. Yet it remains competitive today, fueling the future with a five-point plan focused on next-gen electrification and driver experience.
The Hongqi division is one of the best Chinese luxury car brands, including the uber-expensive and posh L5 with throwback Rolls-Royce style designs. The Hongqi LS7 is the largest SUV by a Chinese car company, using a turbocharged V8 that you’d probably expect from an American car brand.
| Year founded: | 1953 |
| Annual sales: | 3.5 million |
| Most popular model: | Hongqi H5 |
| Official website: | faw.com |
GAC Group
Each vehicle produced by this state-owned entity embodies GAC’s vision that transcends borders and cultures. Its many labels include Trumpchi and Aion, supplying an array of sedans and crossover SUV options. Aion is the premium label handling the majority of the new energy vehicle production, while GAC Bus is a major commercial player.
GAC’s ability to create vehicles that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional is setting it up for serious success. The best luxury car brands need to keep an eye on this growing contender.
| Year founded: | 1955 |
| Annual sales: | 2.43 million |
| Most popular model: | Empow55 |
| Official website: | gac-motor.com |
Changan Auto
Founded as a military supply shop in 1862, Changan Auto has evolved to rule the fast lanes of the 21st century. By shifting gears into automotive manufacturing starting in 1959, this Chinese juggernaut now rolls out an astounding 2.3 million vehicles annually.
The CS75 crossover SUV is just one star in an expansive galaxy of sedans, SUVs, and electric wonders. They’re not riding past achievements. Changan is in overdrive to redefine the future with a focus on new energy vehicles that can drive their way onto the list of the best electric cars.
| Year founded: | 1862 |
| Annual sales: | 2.35 million |
| Most popular model: | CS75 |
| Official website: | globalchangan.com |
BYD Auto
This electrifying brand saw the road ahead well before others saw the light. Its parent company started producing rechargeable batteries in 1995, and now BYD Auto has surged past the competition with revolutionary cars and technology.
BYD’s Ocean Series is the most future-forward lineup of passenger vehicles with BEV and PHEV options, but the brand is also an integral part of the commercial vehicle market. To top it off, BYD has the pedal to the metal with its Blade Battery, aimed at reducing hazardous fires while increasing energy density.
| Year founded: | 2003 |
| Annual sales: | 1.88 million |
| Most popular model: | Atto 3 |
| Official website: | byd.com |
Chery
Yet another one of the best Chinese car brands is doing donuts outside its home country. Chery takes international cooperation to the finish line by supplying knock-down kits to select export markets, which are assembled in local facilities.
From compact commuters like the Arrizo 5 to eco-conscious electric options like the eQ7, Chery’s got the horsepower to cater to a variety of auto aficionados. The sales of Chery vehicles are setting the pace, promising an exhilarating ride ahead.
| Year founded: | 1997 |
| Annual sales: | ~1.48 million |
| Most popular model: | Tiggo 7 |
| Official website: | cheryinternational.com |
Geely Auto
As a dynamic and popular Chinese car brand with a focus on sleek, luxurious models, Geely Auto’s annual sales top an impressive 1.43 million units, with 23% being new energy and electric vehicles. As the primary marquee of the massive international conglomerate Geely Holdings, this brand alone comes to the table with more than a dozen options.
Keep your eyes open as the Geely Yinhe premium Chinese-made electric cars start to accelerate forward. The Geely Galaxy L7 is one of the leading examples of a powerful hybrid model with an available 640 horsepower, nearly ready to compete with the world’s fastest cars.
You can expect to see more long-range hybrid and fully electric models to pull away from the production lines soon. The list of the best luxury SUVs might be ready for a change soon.
| Year founded: | 1997 |
| Annual sales: | 1.43 million |
| Most popular model: | Coolray |
| Official website: | geely.com |
Great Wall Motor
Sharing a name with one of China’s most recognizable features, Great Wall Motor is built to stand the test of time. This Chinese car company has zoomed into the limelight by reaching beyond and growing as an international supplier, with about 25% of sales outside of China. They may not be the world’s most expensive cars, but they are incredibly popular.
Although this automaker has fragmented its offerings between choices, including the Haval SUV lineup, Ora EV specialists, and Tank off-road vehicles, the GWM brand as a whole is one of the top 10 Chinese car manufacturers. And it’s shifting gears toward the future by championing cleaner and more efficient vehicles as a prominent Chinese electric car company.
| Year founded: | 1984 |
| Annual sales: | 1.06 million |
| Most popular model: | Haval H6 |
| Official website: | gwm-global.com |
BAIC Group
BAIC has been cruising highways since 1958 with impressive executive cars, making some of China’s best classic cars. This automotive titan has now evolved into a well-rounded Chinese auto manufacturer offering a wide range of products, from passenger cars to commercial vehicles.
With recent significant strides in electric and hybrid technology, BAIC’s green initiatives are setting the stage for profound growth. Even though the past production vehicles veer toward the practical side and away from extravagance, the new EVs have impressive features like 93.6 kWh battery packs and autonomous driving support, similar to Tesla and Lucid models.
| Year founded: | 1958 |
| Annual sales: | 947,000 |
| Most popular model: | BJEV EC3 |
| Official website: | baicintl.com |
Frequently asked questions about Chinese car brands
The Chinese car brand that’s the best based on overall sales is SAIC Motor with over 5 million units sold per year. Dongfeng sells over 3.8 million units and FAW 3.5 million. Other popular brands include Geely, BYD, and Chery, which all offer attractive Chinese-made electric cars. Check our ranking of the best Chinese car brands to learn more.
Most people agree that Chinese-built cars are good and can be an excellent value. The affordable models offer a lot of features for the price, while the higher-end offerings are competitive with the world’s best brands. And China’s hybrid and electric cars are setting the pace for the industry.
BYD is making headlines as the top Chinese car brand in 2023 for its electric and plug-in hybrid sales. SAIC remains at the top based on total volume of vehicles sold, while other Chinese car brands like GAC, Geely, and Great Wall Motor are also showing strong domestic and foreign sales.
One of the most luxurious Chinese car brands is Hongqi, a label owned by FAW Group. It is one of China’s oldest and most opulent car manufacturers. You can also find luxurious models under the Arcfox label from BAIC Group, IM Motors from SAIC, and many other Chinese car companies.
