At the beginning of the new year, various industries are presenting their performance reports. The year 2025 marks the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and is an important year for the Chinese economy to cross a new threshold and ascend to a new level. Within the lifeblood of China’s economy, the automobile manufacturing industry is undoubtedly a vigorously surging force.

How did the automobile manufacturing industry perform in 2025? According to industry forecasts, it is almost certain that Chongqing will become China’s “Number One City for Automobiles.” What is the basis for this prediction? Has Chongqing’s auto industry emerged from its difficult transition period? What further changes will occur in the landscape of China’s automobile manufacturing industry in the future?

Competing for the “Number One City for Automobiles”: Where Does the Advantage Lie?

In recent years, Chongqing’s automobile manufacturing performance has indeed been commendable, with the transformation achieving phased results. According to disclosed data, Chongqing’s automobile production reached 2.54 million vehicles in 2024, hitting a seven-year high; within that, new energy vehicle production was 950,000 units, more than six times the figure from 2021.

The latest data shows that from January to November 2025, Chongqing’s automobile production was 2.4981 million vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 12.1%. At the beginning of last year, Chongqing set a goal to strive for an automobile production of 2.6 million vehicles in 2025. Currently, it appears this target is not difficult to achieve. Compared to data from other major automobile manufacturing hubs like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, Chongqing’s advantage is very clear.

Where does the strength that could support Chongqing in winning this crown lie? Reports indicate that Chongqing has now built a complete automobile industry cluster, led by two major headquarters enterprises, supported by manufacturing bases of several well-known vehicle manufacturers as the backbone, and underpinned by thousands of supporting enterprises. Comprehensive market performance shows that Chongqing’s auto industry has formed a positive development momentum, with initial success seen in its path towards new energy and high-end development.

It is worth noting that “Made in Chongqing” vehicles have performed well in overseas markets. In the first 11 months of 2025, Chongqing’s automobile product exports continued to grow, with an export value reaching 45.98 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%; within that, electric vehicle exports were 13.41 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 78.9%.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Chongqing proposed accelerating the creation of a trillion-yuan-level intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry cluster. In 2025, a series of favorable policies brought new opportunities.

The establishment of the central state-owned enterprise Chang’an’s headquarters in Chongqing has driven the local automobile industry to “gather chains into momentum”; the administrative division adjustment of Chongqing, where Liangjiang New Area—the core area for building a world-class intelligent connected new energy vehicle industry cluster—was adjusted to a district, will provide enterprises and talent with higher-quality and more efficient public services, strongly supporting accelerated industrial upgrading; the release of the “Opinions on Financial Support to Accelerate the Construction of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor” will promote “Made in Chongqing” vehicles to “expand territories” in Southeast Asia and even global markets, accelerating Chongqing’s pace in building itself into a nationally leading export base for intelligent connected new energy vehicles.

Behind the Rapid Advance: Emerging from Years of Transition Pains

Behind the current rapid advance of Chongqing’s automobile manufacturing industry lies a journey of several difficult years.

From 2014 to 2016, “Chongqing Automobiles” had its moment in the spotlight: production ranked first in the nation for three consecutive years. In 2017, Guangzhou took the top spot with an automobile production of 3.108 million vehicles, while Chongqing fell below 3 million, settling for second place. From 2017 to 2019, in the national automotive industry landscape, the former “Number One City” was gradually overtaken, dropping to the “seventh city in automobile production.” In 2019, Chongqing’s automobile production shrank to

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China, historically serving as the wartime capital during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Today, it is a sprawling municipality known for its dramatic mountainous setting at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, its spicy Sichuan cuisine, and its role as a key economic and transportation hub in inland China.

14th Five-Year Plan

The “14th Five-Year Plan” is not a physical place or cultural site, but rather a strategic national development blueprint for the People’s Republic of China. It refers to the series of economic and social goals guiding the country from 2021 to 2025, building upon the previous Five-Year Plans initiated in 1953. Its history is part of China’s long-term planning system, focusing on themes like technological self-reliance, high-quality growth, and green development for this specific period.

Liangjiang New Area

Liangjiang New Area is a state-level development zone established in 2010 in Chongqing, China, as part of a national strategy to boost economic growth in the western region. It serves as a major hub for modern manufacturing, logistics, and finance, built upon the area’s historical role as a transportation and industrial center along the Yangtze River.

New Western Land-Sea Corridor

The New Western Land-Sea Corridor is a major international logistics and trade route launched in 2017, connecting Western China to Southeast Asia and beyond via rail, road, and sea. It was established to boost development in China’s inland regions by providing a faster, more efficient alternative to traditional coastal shipping, integrating the Belt and Road Initiative. This multimodal corridor significantly reduces transport times for goods moving between provinces like Chongqing and global markets.

Chang’an

Chang’an, now known as Xi’an, was the capital of multiple major Chinese dynasties, most notably the Han and Tang, and served as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. At its peak during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), it was one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Its historical legacy is preserved today in sites like the city walls, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and the nearby Terracotta Army.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global metropolis and financial hub on China’s east coast, which grew from a small fishing village into a significant port following the 1842 Treaty of Nanking. Its famous Bund waterfront showcases colonial-era architecture from its history as an international concession, while the futuristic skyline of Pudong, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, symbolizes its rapid modern economic rise. The city is a dynamic blend of historic Shikumen neighborhoods, vibrant arts scenes, and its pivotal role in 20th-century Chinese history.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou, historically known as Canton, is a major port city in southern China and the capital of Guangdong Province. With a history spanning over 2,200 years, it served as a key terminus of the ancient Maritime Silk Road and was long one of China’s primary gateways for international trade. Today, it is a modern metropolis famous for its commerce, the iconic Canton Tower, and its profound cultural influence, including Cantonese cuisine and the annual Canton Fair.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a major modern city in Guangdong Province, China, originally a small fishing village. It was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980, which triggered its rapid transformation into a global hub for technology, manufacturing, and finance. Today, it is known for its skyscrapers, innovation, and as the headquarters of numerous high-tech companies like Huawei and Tencent.