China's vehicle exports slumped 20 percent to 728,200 in 2015 due to weak demand in Russia, the Middle East and other emerging markets.
Passenger vehicle exports dropped nearly 20 percent to 427,700 vehicles, while commercial truck exports declined 20 percent to 300,500 vehicles, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
China's main exporters are domestic automakers, whose top foreign customers include emerging markets in Russia, the Middle East, North Africa and South America.
Last year, exports at Great Wall Motor Co., China's largest SUV maker, plummeted 52 percent to 23,007 vehicles. Other Chinese automakers haven't released 2015 export figures.
China's exports should get a boost this year as several international automakers ship more Chinese-made vehicles.
Last fall, Volvo Car Corp. began shipping the S60 sedan -- made in Chengdu -- to the United States. The company says it will export 5,000 Volvos a year to the U.S.
And General Motors plans to ship 30,000 to 40,000 Chinese-made Buick Envision SUVs to the U.S. starting this year. Honda Motor Co. exports Chinese-made Fit subcompacts to Canada.
Source:Automotive News China