In the bustling showroom of a Chery electric vehicle dealer in Rio de Janeiro’s Barra district, customers flow in steadily. Many, like local resident Perez, are looking for affordability, reliability, and a greener way to move. “I chose Chery mainly for its cost efficiency and environmental performance,” he says. “The quality is solid, and they even help install charging points. It’s convenient.” This scene is becoming increasingly common across Latin America, where China EV brands are swiftly capturing the market and reshaping the region’s automotive landscape.
According to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2025, emerging markets including Asia and South America have become central to electric vehicle sales growth, with total sales surging over 60% year-on-year in 2024. Data from the Latin American Association of Automobile Dealers reveals that EV sales in the region reached 412,493 units in 2024. Battery electric vehicle sales grew 139.3%, while plug-in hybrid sales climbed 156.1%. Remarkably, 51% of all new EVs sold were China EV models. Almost every electric bus on Latin American roads comes from China.
This rapid uptake underscores a broader shift in economic relations between China and Latin America. Cooperation is increasingly diverse, spanning trade, investment, and technology—with the China EV sector acting as a crucial catalyst. Through competitive pricing, technological innovation, and reliable manufacturing, China EV makers are not only gaining market share but also supporting Latin America’s transition toward cleaner energy and lower carbon emissions.
Brazil, Latin America’s largest car market and the world’s sixth-largest, has seen particularly dramatic growth. The Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association reported that in the first half of 2024, China EV brands accounted for 91.4% of all imported electric vehicles, with sales hitting $1.2 billion. This dominance is echoed in other key markets. In Mexico, brands like JAC and Geely saw sales soar 63% in 2024, reaching 129,329 units and claiming 19.5% of the market. Costa Rica, which has the highest number of EVs per capita in the region—34.3 per 10,000 people—features six China EV models among its top ten best-selling electric cars.
Analysts at BloombergNEF attribute this acceleration to tax incentives, expanding charging infrastructure, and growing consumer environmental awareness. They project that by 2028, EVs will make up 10% to 20% of all new passenger vehicle sales in Latin America. “China EV products offer diverse models, high value for money, and reliable after-sales service. The brands are becoming household names, and the growth potential is enormous,” says a Latin American economic analyst familiar with the regional market.
Beyond private cars, China EV manufacturers are leading the electrification of public transport. An estimated 6,000 electric buses currently operate across Latin America, most from Chinese brands such as BYD, Yutong, Zhongtong, and Foton. In São José dos Campos, Brazil, the country’s first all-electric bus line—the “Green Line”—opened in late 2021. Its fleet consists of 12 buses supplied by BYD, each branded with bold “100% Electric” decals.
Santiago, Chile, has integrated Chinese electric buses into its mass transit system at scale, benefitting from low-carbon, efficient public transport. In Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia, Chinese-branded electric taxis are growing common. Former Bogotá Mayor López noted that the city has deployed thousands of China-made electric buses, reducing CO₂ emissions by nearly 100,000 tons per year.
In early 2024, BYD delivered 100 custom-built electric buses to Uruguay’ largest electric bus operator. The 12-meter buses combine environmental performance with smart technology and comfort. Uruguayan authorities have expressed interest in deepening collaboration with BYD to accelerate the full electrification of its bus system. “Latin America has become a major export market for Chinese electric buses. They are safe, comfortable, and contribute significantly to modernizing our transport systems and reducing carbon emissions,” says Diego Mendoza, Secretary-General of Chile’s National Automotive Association.
A key factor behind the rapid expansion of China EV in Latin America is a deliberate localization strategy. Chinese automakers are investing heavily in local production, research facilities, and workforce development—strengthening regional supply chains and creating jobs.
In October 2024, Great Wall Motors announced it would build its first Brazilian plant in São Paulo state, with production expected to begin by July 2025. The company’s global president explained that the factory will support sustainable development in Brazil’s auto sector, generate employment, and provide consumers with greener mobility options. Great Wall also plans to collaborate with local institutions on technical training programs and aims to shift part of its component production to São Paulo. The goal is to reach 60% local content within three years and use the plant as an export hub for the wider region.
Similarly, in August 2024, MG Motor—owned by China’s SAIC—revealed plans to establish a manufacturing plant and an R&D center in Mexico, positioning the country as its hub for Latin American operations. MG Mexico’s lead executive confirmed that the facility will serve markets across the region.
BYD, which sold 40,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in Mexico by the end of 2024 through 50 dealers, aims to double sales in 2025. The company is also planning a manufacturing plant in Mexico, which is expected to create approximately 10,000 jobs, making it one of the largest in the country.
Educational partnerships are also strengthening ties. China has established Latin America’s first Luban Workshop—a vocational training initiative—in Peru, focused on cultivating technical talent in the new energy vehicle industry. During a recent visit to China, the Peruvian president invited BYD to invest in local production. Peru’s ambassador to China highlighted China’s leadership in EVs and expressed eagerness to cooperate on charging infrastructure and lithium battery development.
“The localization approach taken by China EV companies is very wise. Partnering with local firms helps them better understand market needs and adapt quickly,” notes the president of Brazil’s Electric Vehicle Association.
The flourishing presence of China EV brands reflects a broader upgrading of economic cooperation between China and Latin America. As one research fellow from a Shanghai-based institute notes, “Latin American countries are seeking to transform their production models and achieve sustainable economic growth through green transition. Chinese automakers are not only supplying green vehicles—they are bringing advanced industrial chains and innovation to Latin America, promoting industrial upgrading, job creation, and mutual benefits.”
With strong demand, strategic investments, and shared sustainability goals, China EV is positioned to drive Latin America’s mobility revolution for years to come.