(Yicai) Feb. 24 -- While most people in China were celebrating the Lunar New Year with their families during the nine-day holiday that ended yesterday, many Chinese car dealers stayed abroad, foregoing their holiday to build up their overseas business.

“New projects are about to kick off and things like client meetings, market research and annual business planning just can’t wait. So I am spending this Spring Festival abroad,” an auto trader told Yicai.

Three years ago, this dealer started his own business after spotting the perfect window of opportunity for Chinese car exports. Before that, he had worked for many years in the overseas sales division of a Chinese automaker, responsible for client development, marketing and after-sales network setup. His work took him across the Middle East, Africa and other regions.

Many people he knows in the auto industry were also busy on the front lines of overseas production and sales during the holiday, he said. Their dedication stems from the strong momentum of Chinese car brands expanding abroad and the sense of urgency created by intense competition.

“In recent years, more and more Chinese vehicles can be seen on the roads in Middle Eastern countries. This shows that overseas consumers’ perception of Chinese cars has moved beyond the old stereotype of low quality and low price. On top of that, Chinese automakers have been adapting their products to meet local demand, which has greatly increased overseas customers’ willingness to work with them and improved their trust in Chinese brands,” he said.

In the past, Chinese vehicles mainly competed in the low-end passenger car market overseas, and brand recognition was not strong, he said. However, thanks to the rapid rise of new energy vehicles, independent Chinese brands have been steadily moving up in pricing and brand positioning abroad. Leading automakers such as BYD, Chery Automobile, Geely Automobile Holdings and Great Wall Motor have been gaining market share overseas and their reputations are improving as well.

But the competition among Chinese carmakers in overseas markets is getting fiercer. “The market has turned into a battlefield where traders are fighting hard to win customers. Foreign buyers are becoming more astute, generally comparing multiple offers before choosing the best partner. This directly squeezes traders’ gross profit margins,” the trader said.

He said he plans to build a long-term business overseas. By deeply researching local markets, he hopes to find ways to expand while aligning his interests with those of his clients.

“Overseas clients usually attend every major auto show in China. I accompany them, help to connect them with resources, and work to turn one-off deals into long-term mutually beneficial partnerships,” he said.

This Spring Festival was no exception. He has been busy preparing for the launch of a knock-down assembly factory that he built with a Middle Eastern dealer. He is making sure everything is in place to ensure smooth operations once the factory comes online.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Kim Taylor