The Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the State Administration for Market Regulation have jointly released new guidelines for domestic automakers expanding internationally. The document consists of 4 chapters and 20 articles, providing a framework for business operations and market competition abroad.
Regulators now require companies to avoid frequent and steep price changes, urging them to base pricing on costs and local market demand. Automakers must respect the pricing autonomy of local dealers and ensure that all discounts, financing offers, and promotional activities remain transparent and compliant with local business practices.
The guidelines also address operational standards, including workplace safety, quality management, after-sales service, and labor protection. For connected and autonomous vehicles, companies are mandated to ensure that data collection, usage, and cross-border transfers strictly adhere to local regulations and consumer privacy requirements.
These measures follow significant growth in the sector, with Chinese companies investing in manufacturing across more than 80 countries. In 2025, China exported 8,32 million vehicles to over 200 regions. During the first 7 months of 2026, passenger vehicle exports reached 5,18 million units, including 2,77 million new energy vehicles.