Illustration: Chen Xia/GT
The narrative that Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are struggling in the Southeast Asian market is clearly favored by some Western media outlets attempting to badmouth the overseas development of Chinese EVs. A Bloomberg report on Monday opened with a scene of a BYD showroom in Hanoi, Vietnam, "devoid of customers," suggesting that "China's EV makers are facing a reality check in Southeast Asia." This biased portrayal, relying on isolated cases, attempts to create a misleading impression. However, when viewed in a broader context, is it true that Chinese EVs are facing such so-called harsh realities?
The numbers don't lie. In recent years, Chinese EVs have demonstrated remarkable growth momentum and secured a significant market share in Southeast Asian market. In 2024, approximately 70,000 EVs were registered in Thailand, accounting for 14 percent of total car sales. In Malaysia, Chinese brands such as Chery and BYD saw impressive sales growth of 182.1 percent and 91.7 percent, respectively, in 2024, successfully entering the top 10 in the market.
"Chinese EVs have strong competitiveness in Southeast Asia," Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, told the Global Times. China possesses a powerful manufacturing system with the most comprehensive EV supply chain in the world, continually making breakthroughs in core EV technologies. Chinese automakers, offering high cost-performance vehicles and advanced technology, have won the favor of Southeast Asian consumers, who are particularly value-conscious.
Cui also noted that Chinese EVs are indeed facing some challenges in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam. "The exposure of Chinese brands in the Vietnamese market is still low. Additionally, as EVs are an emerging product, their sales are closely linked to local consumer attitudes, policy guidance and differences in fuel prices. They also face issues such as insufficient charging infrastructure. In the future, these challenges will be gradually overcome through brand promotion, localized production, technological cooperation and improved infrastructure," said Cui.
In the long run, demand for EVs in Southeast Asian countries is expected to grow, experts noted. The increasing presence of Chinese EVs in Southeast Asia aligns with the region's green development strategies. The entry of Chinese EVs into the Southeast Asian market not only meets local demand but also stimulates technological innovation and competitiveness among domestic automakers, further advancing carbon reduction efforts and energy transition in the region.
Chinese EVs and Southeast Asia's green development goals are creating strong synergy. Several Chinese automakers have announced plans to expand their investments in the region. These initiatives not only create significant employment opportunities in Southeast Asian countries but also help cultivate local talent in the EV sector. Furthermore, through technology transfers, supply chain integration and green transformation, these investments are driving the sustainable development of regional economies. This "win-win model" has fostered a close-knit community of shared interests between Chinese automakers and Southeast Asian societies.
When certain Western countries erect tariff barriers in an attempt to decouple and sever ties with China's EVs, Chinese EVs shine brightly in the markets of Global South countries. China's robust production capacity for new energy vehicles aligns with the strong demand for green development in many "Global South" nations. Just as tariff barriers cannot stop the tide of Chinese EVs entering foreign markets, the pessimistic voices regarding the overseas development of Chinese EVs will have little substantial impact on their growth abroad, serving primarily to reflect the West's anxiety.
