China's auto parts exports have surged due to the rise of cross-border e-commerce, with key products like bumpers and headlights seeing exponential growth. With US online penetration at 16%, the market has ample room for further expansion.
Chinese auto parts exports have seen significant growth, increasing by 5.6% in the first seven months of the year. This growth is largely driven by cross-border e-commerce platforms that connect Chinese suppliers directly with overseas consumers. For instance, sales of bumpers have soared 60 times year-on-year, and steering gears and air conditioning compressors have increased by several hundred times. According to China customs, overall auto exports, including chassis, surged by 18.1% in the same period.
Platforms like eBay, TikTok, and Temu have played a pivotal role in the success of Chinese auto parts in the international market. The US, a major consumer, has an online auto parts penetration rate of only 16%, compared to China’s 30%. This gap presents a significant opportunity for further growth. Dacheng Optoelectronics, a key player in the sector, reported over 30% annual growth in US sales, while Yinshi Network maintained a 40%-50% growth rate in recent years.
The efficiency of Chinese logistics networks, including direct shipping and overseas warehouses, has been crucial. According to Kang Yong of Orange Connex, 87% of goods can now be delivered on the same day. Chinese sellers, who control their supply chains, have leveraged competitive pricing to capture market share, reducing costs by cutting out third-party distributors and selling directly to consumers. This has made their products highly competitive in markets like the US and EU.
Chinese exporters are not only benefiting from logistics and pricing advantages but also from innovation in data analytics. By using Big Data, companies can accurately decide which products to produce, enhancing their operational efficiency. The rapid growth in the sector is expected to continue, with events like eBay's first conference for auto parts sellers in Changzhou and Shenzhen further bolstering the supply chain and ecosystem. As the global demand for auto parts remains strong, Chinese exporters are well-positioned to maintain their upward trajectory.
Will China dominate the global auto parts market?
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