On June 24, 2025, reports emerged detailing a practice within China’s auto industry where approximately 250,000 new cars were exported as “used” vehicles in 2024, accounting for about 5% of the country’s total car exports of over 5 million units. This figure is based on estimates suggesting that 90% of the 436,000 used passenger and commercial vehicles exported last year were “zero-mileage” cars—new vehicles registered in China and immediately shipped abroad as used. The practice involves exporters purchasing cars directly from manufacturers or dealers, registering them with Chinese license plates, and then marking them as second-hand for export to markets like Central Asia, Russia, and the Middle East. This allows automakers to record the vehicles as sold domestically, boosting sales figures and supporting local economic growth targets set by Beijing. The southern city of Shenzhen, a key tech hub, pledged in February 2024 to expand zero-mileage used car exports as part of a goal to export 400,000 vehicles annually. Industry consultant Wang Meng from the China Automobile Dealers Association confirmed the scale of this practice, noting its role in inflating sales data. Huanyu Auto, a Chongqing-based seller, reported earning $1,400 profit per electric sedan by reselling vehicles bought for $5,600 in foreign markets. The approach has drawn attention as China’s auto sector, the world’s largest, continues to navigate a competitive market landscape.
34news.online
34news.online
