Brazil has emerged as the world's largest importer of Chinese cars in the first five months of 2026, purchasing approximately US$5.2 billion worth of vehicles. This marks a 146.9% increase from the US$2.1 billion recorded during the same period in 2025, when Brazil ranked sixth among buyers.

The surge was driven by a rush to secure shipments before a tariff increase took effect in July 2026. Data from Chinese customs shows that Russia and Belgium followed with imports valued at US$5 billion and US$3.8 billion, respectively.

Electrified vehicles, including electric and hybrid models, accounted for US$4.5 billion of Brazil's imports. Notably, electric and hybrid cars made up 87% of Brazil’s vehicle imports from China last year, a significant rise from 33% in 2021, reshaping the trade composition over five years.

April and May alone saw US$2.7 billion in imports, suggesting stockpiling ahead of the tariff change rather than sustained demand. Brazil also led global rankings specifically for electric and hybrid vehicle imports, ahead of Belgium and Britain.

Figures compiled by the Brazil-China Business Council and Brazil’s foreign trade secretariat estimate first-half 2026 purchases at US$5.35 billion, more than double the value of all vehicles Brazil imported from France.

Sources

South China Morning Post World, "Brazil becomes world’s top buyer of Chinese cars as imports jump 147%", July 29, 2026, by Igor Patrick Read more