China overtakes Japan in auto exports with boost from EVs

TOKYO/GUANGZHOU/BEIJING -- China became the world's largest exporter of automobiles last year for the first time, knocking Japan off its perch thanks to strong overseas sales of electric vehicles.

Japan exported 4.42 million vehicles in 2023, up 16% from the previous year, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Wednesday. The volume fell short of the 4.91 million vehicles China exported last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the total soaring 58% on the year.