Ningbo Port's auto exports top 250b yuan

Ningbo Customs officers conduct on-site inspections of cars about to be sent overseas. [Photo by Ying Jun/Tide news]

Automobile exports at Ningbo Port hit 257.2 billion yuan ($36.15 billion) from January to August, surging 61.1 percent year-on-year, according to Ningbo Customs.

Countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative drove much of this growth, accounting for nearly 90 percent of total exports.

The Middle East stood out, with exports soaring to 112.1 billion yuan, a 191.5 percent increase. The United Arab Emirates led the Middle East region with 77.1 billion yuan, up 204.5 percent. Brazil and the Europe Union followed as Ningbo's second and third largest auto export destinations.

New energy vehicles (NEVs) were the primary growth engine. In the first eight months, NEV exports hit 151,000 units, up 280.9 percent, making up 60 percent of total auto exports. August alone saw 2.38 billion yuan in NEV exports, up 272.5 percent, representing the fourth straight month above 2 billion yuan.

"Exports in August reached 7,500 units, up 22 percent year-on-year," said Chen Xue, deputy general manger of Ningbo Sovel Supply Chain Management Co Ltd. Chen expects continued growth, citing rising global demand and improved logistics.

Customs and port upgrades have played a key role. "We've optimized the entire export chain," said He Jian at Meishan Customs, noting smarter checkpoints and faster vehicle transfers have boosted efficiency across the board.