China becomes Germany's largest car import source for first time, with imports surging 120.9% in Jan-Jul
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According to data from the German Federal Statistics Office, China has become Germany's largest source of imported passenger cars for the first time in the first seven months of 2026. Germany imported approximately 175,000 passenger cars from China during this period, a year-on-year increase of 120.9%, surpassing the Czech Republic. China's share of Germany's total car imports reached 13.8%. The surge is primarily driven by new energy vehicles, with 65,235 such vehicles exported from China to Germany from January to May 2026, up 211.2% year-on-year. Meanwhile, German passenger car exports fell 4% to about 2 million units, and production dropped 4% in the same period. The VDA (German Association of the Automotive Industry) forecasts that new car registrations in Germany will grow only 2% to 2.9 million units in 2026, still about one-fifth below pre-crisis 2019 levels. The article notes that this marks a structural turning point for the German auto industry, as Chinese automakers increasingly reshape the automotive narrative.
Source report
September 23 — China has overtaken all other nations to become Germany's largest source of automobile imports, as an increasing number of Chinese-brand vehicles—particularly new energy vehicles (NEVs)—enter the German market.
According to data released by the German Federal Statistical Office, Germany imported approximately 175,000 passenger cars from China in the first seven months of 2026, a year-on-year surge of 120.9%. This marks the first time China has surpassed the Czech Republic to become Germany's top source of imported cars, accounting for a 13.8% share. During the same period, Germany's total passenger car imports reached about 1.3 million units, up 16% year-on-year.
Domestic Exports Decline Amid Import Growth
While imports have soared, Germany's domestic auto exports have declined. From January to July 2026, German passenger car exports fell to approximately 2 million units, down 4% year-on-year, with an export value of around €73.5 billion. Cumulative production from January to August dropped 4% year-on-year, while exports fell 5%.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) previously forecast that new passenger car registrations in Germany in 2026 would grow only modestly by 2% to 2.9 million units—still about one-fifth below pre-crisis levels in 2019.
Structural Shift Underway
The automotive industry has long accounted for roughly one-fifth of Germany's total industrial output, employing approximately 721,400 people and remaining heavily export-oriented. The latest data signals a structural turning point for the German auto industry, characterized by "rising imports and falling exports."
NEVs Lead Chinese Market Share Growth
The primary driver behind China's rising market share in Germany is new energy vehicles. According to data from Gasgoo Auto Research Institute, China exported 65,235 NEVs to Germany between January and May 2026, a year-on-year increase of 211.2%. Germany has now entered the top 10 markets for Chinese NEV exports.
Broader European Breakthrough
China's automotive breakthrough in Europe extends beyond Germany. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) shows that in May 2026, Chinese automakers' monthly new car registrations in Europe surpassed those of Japanese automakers for the first time.
A Changing Narrative
For years, China has been the largest overseas single market for German automakers. Audi's global deliveries in 2025 were 38% from China, and China is also BMW's largest single market worldwide. German manufacturers' exports to China had long outweighed their imports from the country. However, with China now becoming Germany's largest source of auto imports, the narrative of the automotive industry is increasingly being rewritten by Chinese automakers.
Source
快科技Eastern
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China overtakes Czech Republic as Germany's top car import source for first time