Michael Dunne elaborates how Chinese automakers are disrupting global markets

One of the most important stories in automotive retail in 2025 is China’s accelerated influence on worldwide markets. Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights and host of the Driving with Dunne podcast, joins us on the latest episode of Inside Automotive to break down what the rapid expansion of Chinese automakers means for manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers as the industry heads into 2026.

China has moved from a marginal exporter to a global force in just five years. Dunne said Chinese automakers exported roughly 1 million vehicles annually in 2020, but in just five years, that figure is tracking between 7 million and 8 million units, surpassing the peak export levels historically achieved by Japan and Germany. Dunne described the growth as unprecedented, noting that no other country has scaled exports that quickly.

While Chinese vehicles remain largely absent from U.S. showrooms, they are rapidly gaining ground elsewhere. Dunne identified Mexico as the largest destination for Chinese exports, with hundreds of thousands of vehicles entering the market. In the United Kingdom, Chinese brands already account for about 13% of new vehicle sales, a figure Dunne said could reach 30% within a year. Similar growth is underway in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.



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