Guangdong Province is solidifying its position as a key player in the global used car market, with its high-quality vehicles—particularly new energy models—gaining traction across emerging economies, according to a used vehicle international procurement conference held in the capital city, Guangzhou, on August 15.
The conference attracted over 700 participants, including more than 60 international buyers from 22 countries and regions such as the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa, alongside trade associations and government officials.
With China's shift to a streamlined filing-based export system for used vehicles in 2024, Guangdong has experienced explosive growth in overseas sales of used cars.
Data reveals that the province exported 46,000 used cars in the first seven months of 2025—surpassing its total for 2024—with the UAE as its top partner (16,000 units, up 150% YoY).
"Guangdong's used car exports, led by new energy vehicles, are transitioning to large-scale, branded operations," noted Luo Lei, vice president of the China Automobile Dealers Association.
Luo emphasized that digitization and industry consolidation are propelling exports: "Over 90% of major dealers now use digital platforms, boosting transparency and trust for global buyers." Nationwide, used car transactions through digital platforms in China hit 9.57 million units in H1 2025 (+2% YoY).
One of the core hubs for used car exports in Guangdong is the Nansha Port in Guangzhou City, which shipped 25,000 used cars in H1 2025, a fourfold increase year-on-year.
"Over 200,000 vehicles, including both new and used cars, were exported via Nansha this year," said Yuan Biao, Deputy Director of the Nansha Development Zone, highlighting its logistics advantages for overseas markets.
"China's used cars, especially EVs, offer exceptional value for price-sensitive markets," said Zhong Lihong, China & Thailand GM of the UAE-based OneRoad Auto Group. The firm is launching a regional warehouse in the Middle East to reduce delivery times and enhance supply chain efficiency for Chinese brands.
The event also featured multiple signings, including agreements between Guangdong exporters and international buyers; partnerships between Guangdong's auto association and trade bodies from Thailand and China's Hong Kong; and service pacts with logistics and inspection providers to streamline cross-border trade.
The international procurement group also toured Nansha's export facilities and major trading hubs, gaining firsthand insight into Guangdong's end-to-end export ecosystem through the event.
Reporter | Huang Xinyi
Photo | Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
