Chinese automakers are making serious moves on the global stage, and the November export numbers tell quite a story. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, China shipped 199,836 electric vehicles overseas last month, representing an 87% surge compared to the same period last year.

Mexico Takes the Lead

The real jaw-dropper here is Mexico. Chinese EV exports to the country skyrocketed by 2,367% year-over-year, with 19,344 vehicles crossing the border in November alone. That's the highest export figure to any single country or territory, and it signals a major strategic push into the North American market through the back door.

Europe wasn't far behind in terms of volume, receiving 42,927 vehicles in November, a 63% increase from last year. For the January-to-November period, China has sent 604,105 units to European markets. Asian countries absorbed 110,061 vehicles in November, marking 71% growth, with year-to-date exports to the region hitting 994,132 units.

Beyond Mexico, China's top export destinations include Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. In Europe specifically, the UK and Belgium are leading the charge. Britain imported 9,096 Chinese EVs in November, a 113% jump, while Belgium took in 8,953 units, showing more modest 8.6% year-over-year growth.

The Major Players Pushing Overseas

BYD Co. Ltd. (BYDDY) has positioned itself at the forefront of this global expansion wave. The EV giant has posted triple-digit growth in overseas markets, particularly in Europe, demonstrating that Chinese automakers can compete effectively outside their home turf.

Chery Automobile, China's largest exporter, has been actively shipping vehicles to markets like Mexico. The company recently made waves with its Hong Kong stock exchange debut, which sent shares surging.

Xpeng Inc. (XPEV) is charting its own European course, entering Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, while also expanding into Cambodia in Asia. The company recently announced a partnership with Magna International Inc. (MGA) to manufacture two of its EV models at a Magna facility in Austria, giving Xpeng a local production foothold in Europe.

Tech giant Xiaomi Corp (XIACF) is playing the long game, establishing an R&D center in Germany as it targets a European market entry in 2027.

Funding and Regulations

Stellantis NV (STLA)-backed Leapmotor just raised over $530 million by selling 74 million shares to Chinese state-owned automaker FAW. The company is setting ambitious goals, targeting annual sales of 4 million units over the next decade.

On the regulatory front, Chinese authorities rolled out a first-of-its-kind energy consumption rule for EVs. Starting next year, electric vehicles cannot consume more than 15.1 kWh of energy per 100 kilometers (roughly 62 miles) driven. It's the kind of efficiency standard that could reshape how EVs are designed and marketed domestically.

The bottom line? Chinese automakers are no longer just talking about going global. They're actually doing it, and the numbers suggest this is just the beginning of a much larger shift in the global automotive landscape.