Over the past few months, from the Manzhouli border crossing to freight stations in Guangzhou, a wave of activity has surged. Chinese used cars are picking up speed in the Central Asian market.
At the Manzhouli highway border, 1,178 used vehicles were exported in the first quarter of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 75% ([Source: North China News, “Manzhouli Highway Border Q1 Used Car Exports Up Over 70%,” 2026-04-17]). Another surprising figure comes from Hulunbuir, a northern city known for its grasslands—1,364 used vehicles were exported in the same quarter, totaling approximately CNY 156 million, accounting for 46% of Inner Mongolia’s total ([Source: Securities Daily, “Q1 Exports Exceed CNY 150 Million, Used Cars Become New Pillar of Hulunbuir’s Foreign Trade,” 2026-04-27]).
“Many people think we’re just a transit point, but Hulunbuir is close to Russia and Mongolia. Our warehouses near the China-Russia border are always stocked with vehicles,” said Wang Lei, head of a certified export company. “Many Central Asian buyers now inspect vehicles via video and receive shipments in Almaty within 15 days.”
It’s not just the north. Over six months, Harbin exported 2,042 used vehicles worth a total of CNY 335 million. Specialty vehicles such as refrigerated trucks and dump trucks are especially popular in Central Asia ([Source: Sohu News, “Harbin Exports 2,042 Used Cars in Six Months,” 2026-04-25]). Meanwhile, Guiyang has established nine overseas operation centers in Kazakhstan and nearby regions, with cumulative export value exceeding CNY 470 million ([Source: Xinhua News, “Guiyang Used Car Export Base Exceeds CNY 470 Million,” 2026-01-06]). The first direct used car train from Guangzhou to Kyrgyzstan was dispatched on May 4 and reaches Bishkek in just 15 days ([Source: Auto Industry Focus, “Guangzhou-Europe Train Delivers First Batch of Used Cars to Kyrgyzstan,” 2026-05-04]).
Shipping vehicles is only the first step. The real test is whether local consumers are willing to buy—and whether maintenance is available.
Previously, Central Asian buyers were wary of importing used cars because there were “no repair options.” That issue is gradually being resolved by Chinese companies. In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a company from Zaozhuang, Shandong, has set up a comprehensive service center combining storage, display, and after-sales services ([Source: Qilu Evening News, “From Selling to Going Global: Zaozhuang Used Cars Explore Overseas After-Sales,” 2026-04-23]). Samat Aliyev, a used car dealer in Tashkent for eight years, commented: “Earlier, imported cars from Japan and Korea often had no repair options. Now Chinese dealers have proper service centers, and a single call gets support—we can sell with confidence.”
Similar initiatives are underway in Kazakhstan. Guiyang’s nine overseas operation centers include clearly defined after-sales services ([Source: Xinhua News, 2026-01-06]). Transitioning from “selling only” to “providing full support” is seen as a key step in refining China’s used car export strategy.
This surge is not accidental. The average vehicle age in Central Asia exceeds 12 years, and demand for fleet replacement is urgent. Chinese used cars offer high cost-performance ratios and diverse models, particularly SUVs and new-energy vehicles aged 3–5 years. Since 2026, disruptions in vehicle supply from the UAE due to geopolitical issues have further widened the market gap. Domestic policies also provide support: the new used car export regulations officially came into effect this year, cracking down on arbitrage while encouraging compliance, with over 3,000 certified export enterprises nationwide.
Challenges remain. Some Central Asian countries have recently raised vehicle certification standards, while Russian and Turkish used car dealers are increasingly entering the same markets. “Previously, we competed mainly with Japan and Korea; now Russian cars are taking shares too,” said Zhang Wei, head of a trading company in Manzhouli. “Our advantages are newer models, a wider range of electric vehicles, and strong support services.”
To overcome barriers, Chinese companies are jointly promoting standardized inspections and co-building after-sales networks locally. Used NEVs (New Energy Vehicles) from BYD and Tesla are increasingly common in some Central Asian cities. The China–Central Asia Used Car Industry Alliance has also been established (industry observation).
From the Manzhouli highway border to the Guangzhou-Europe train, from Harbin’s specialty vehicles to Zaozhuang’s service center, this round of growth for Chinese used cars in Central Asia relies not only on price but also on localized support. Sustainability will depend on how well they navigate certification standards and intensifying competition.