photo: Chengdu International Railway Port / Public domain/Chengdu International Railway Port
A simple logistical shift has turned China’s used car exports into a booming trade phenomenon. Trains loaded with pre-owned vehicles roll into Central Asia, turning rail routes into arteries of economic ambition.
On March 11, 2025, the first dedicated train exporting second-hand vehicles left Chengdu International Railway Port, Sichuan Province, destined for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, introducing an innovative trains-carrying-cars multimodal transport model and making it a significant milestone in China's logistical capabilities. According to Youth.cn, this rail route serves as a direct corridor linking Chengdu and Central Asia, enhancing Chengdu's strategic positioning as a key logistics hub. The initiative leverages China's domestic surplus vehicle capacity, aligning it with burgeoning demand in Central Asian markets.
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Fuelling industrial growth, the new transport model transforms traditional logistics routes into dynamic industrial catalysts, providing Chinese enterprises greater flexibility and strategic advantages in Eurasian markets. The move is a clear response to rising demand for quality pre-owned vehicles in regions like Uzbekistan, proving China's expanding role in international automotive trade.
Khorgos Gateway: Central Asia’s Strategic Export Hub
Meanwhile, Khorgos Gateway, recognised as the world's largest dry port linking northwest China to Kazakhstan, has emerged as a vital export hub for Chinese used vehicles. As reported by Shanghai-based state media Yicai Global and Business Standard, Khorgos facilitated exports totalling 400,300 vehicles last year alone, with commercial vehicles making up 60% of the shipments. Fu Lei, Deputy Director of the Port Administration Bureau of the Khorgos Economic Development Zone, pointed out a substantial increase of over 100,000 vehicles compared to the previous year. The majority of these were pre-owned vehicles, which demonstrates a growing preference for second-hand cars in the Central Asian market, primarily since Chinese automakers targeted this region from 2022 onwards.
Government Policies Catalyse Export Growth
The exponential growth in China's used car exports owes much to favourable changes in domestic policies and regulations. According to India Shipping News and Business Standard, since March 2023, the nationwide initiative to streamline the export process—including vehicle transfer registrations and licensing—has markedly improved business operations. Local authorities have simultaneously introduced supportive measures aimed at enhancing global competitiveness, making Chinese vehicles more attractive internationally.
Despite impressive growth figures, China's second-hand car export market still has significant potential for expansion. In contrast, Japan exported over one million pre-owned vehicles last year, while exports from the US and South Korea were 900,000 and 500,000, respectively, indicating substantial room for China's continued growth. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has outlined further strategies to boost the export of used vehicles. Plans include fostering sustainable innovation, maintaining high-quality standards, and improving customer service, aimed at reinforcing both domestic and international market circulations.
Global-Ucar Technology: Leading China's Export Surge
Guangzhou-based Global-Ucar Technology, currently China's largest exporter of used vehicles, reported a 67% increase in vehicle exports last year. Chairman Gan Honglin credited this surge to an aggressive international expansion strategy. Global-Ucar's second-hand car shipments notably tripled, setting new records for the company, according to Business Standard. Between 2021 and 2024, Global-Ucar strategically established branches across Djibouti, the UAE, and Uzbekistan, focusing on markets in East Africa, West Asia, and Central Asia. Additionally, the firm opened showrooms in the UAE and Ethiopia, enhancing cooperation with local service providers and ensuring effective after-sales support tailored to regional demands.
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Sources: Youth.cn; Business Standard; India Shipping News; Yicai Global