An array of SAIC Hongyan heavy trucks are ready to be sent to the Middle East. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposal. So far, countries involved in the initiative have become significant export markets for automobiles produced in Liangjiang New Area, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality.

The first batch of 100 heavy trucks produced by SAIC Hongyan was recently shipped from Liangjiang to countries in the Middle East. Over the first half of this year, the company's exported car sales surged 266 percent, mainly contributed by markets of BRI members.

Livan's production models for exports. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Over the same period, Livan had collectively exported some 3,000 vehicles. Lou Yuanfa, president of the firm, said that as globalization accelerates, the firm will continue to expand its sales in new energy vehicles (NEVs) and its battery swap technologies and products in the global market.

Similarly, about 90 percent of Changan's overseas car sales from Jan to June this year were contributed by BRI countries.

Apart from the increasing international market demand, another critical advantage for Liangjiang-made cars to go global is Chongqing's full-fledged industrial and supply chains, said Lai Han, deputy director of the new area's industry promotion.

A worth noting fact is that about 70 percent of the supporting infrastructure needed by Chongqing's automobile industry can be gained locally.