From January to November this year, Shanghai exported over 20,000 used cars, marking a year-on-year increase of more than 100%, as the city continues to expand its used car export initiatives. Today, the Shanghai Used Car International Trade Comprehensive Service Platform (Waigaoqiao) was officially launched, accelerating the development of the related ecosystem.
In September, with the approval of the municipal government, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce issued the "Shanghai Used Car Export Action Plan" (hereinafter referred to as the "Action Plan"). The plan aims to cultivate 3-5 leading used car export enterprises by 2027, with an annual export volume reaching 50,000 units. The "Action Plan" explicitly supports the establishment of a comprehensive international trade service platform for used cars in Pudong New Area.
"This platform provides one-stop services covering tax processing, certification applications, import-export logistics, and other procedures," said Shan Qijin, a representative from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Automobile Trading Market Co., Ltd. Previously, exporting used cars required visits to multiple departments—first obtaining an inspection report, then completing vehicle transfers, and finally paying purchase taxes. Now, all these steps can be handled in one place, significantly improving efficiency. "What used to take two to three days can now be completed in half a day," Shan added.
Currently, all 41 pilot enterprises for used car exports in Shanghai have joined the platform. Zhang Wen, General Manager of Shanghai Leiyin Automobile Service Co., Ltd., noted, "China's automobile exports began scaling up in 2018, and today, the country leads globally in export volume. Both fuel-powered and new energy vehicles have established strong market recognition overseas." In his view, this year marks the "first year" of China's used car exports—after years of new car export growth, Chinese brands have fostered stable demand for used vehicles abroad, with overseas consumer acceptance steadily rising.
Leiyin is currently focused on exporting Shanghai-brand used cars to markets including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Shanghai Yuanchu International Logistics Co., Ltd. had already foreseen the Middle East market potential two years before the used car export boom, setting up a warehouse in Dubai's Jebel Ali Port for bonded display and trading. With the launch of the new platform, the company has seen significant improvements in connecting exporters and suppliers. "Previously, we had to manually match supply chain resources, but now the platform enables direct and efficient connections," said Yang Xiaofeng, Sales Director of the company.
Yu Jingyuan, Co-CEO of Wanguo (Shanghai) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd., highlighted that alongside the "collective overseas expansion" of used cars and this year's record 6.8 million new car exports, Chinese automobiles are seizing systemic opportunities in global markets. Wanguo, specializing in overseas after-sales services for independent brands, has identified growing demand in this sector. "Currently, overseas after-sales services for new energy vehicles lack complete systems in terms of repair technology, equipment, and parts," Yu explained. The company is now building a comprehensive warranty and maintenance network for used cars abroad to meet rising demand.
Shan Qijin believes Shanghai's used car export business has reached a relatively mature stage. The new platform will further consolidate industry resources, attract more leading enterprises, and foster an export ecosystem with industrial clustering. This will also optimize and enhance the entire supply chain service system. He revealed that individual consumers may soon be able to sell used cars directly overseas through related service platforms.
During the launch ceremony, the Used Car Export Committee under the Shanghai Import and Export Association was also established. The committee will bring together all used car exporters, financial and insurance institutions, commercial banks, and inspection and refurbishment companies in Shanghai to leverage industry resources and expertise, creating economies of scale. It will also strengthen export trend analysis and industry self-regulation, encouraging collective expansion into global markets.
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