(Yicai) Aug. 6 -- The automotive exports of Chinese central and western provincial-level regions achieved significant growth in the first half of the year, thanks to surging new energy vehicle exports.

Shaanxi province’s car exports jumped 57 percent to about 206,000 units in the six months ended June 30 from a year earlier, with the related export value up 52 percent to CNY31.2 billion (USD4.3 billion), according to data from Xi’an’s customs authority. The NEV export volume and value more than doubled to 179,500 units and CNY23.9 billion, respectively.

The substantial growth in Shaanxi’s auto exports was mainly thanks to the industrial cluster created after carmakers such as BYD and Geely Automobile Holdings consolidated their presence in the province. Shaanxi’s first-half automotive output was the sixth-highest nationwide.

Anhui province, which is home to the production facilities of seven automakers, including BYD, Chery Automobile, Nio, and Volkswagen, exported 461,000 vehicles in the first half of the year, remaining China’s largest car exporter. Its NEV exports surged 30 percent from a year earlier.

Exports of mechanical and electrical products from Anhui grew 19 percent to CNY222.9 billion (USD31 billion) in the period, accounting for nearly 72 percent of the province’s total exports.

Henan province’s auto exports rose 22 percent to 169,000 units in the six months between January and June from the same period last year, with the related export value climbing 66 percent to CNY24.4 billion. The NEV export value skyrocketed 276 percent to CNY13.1 billion.

Henan mainly exported cars from the factories of SAIC Motor, Nissan Motor, Chery Auto, Yutong Bus, and Haima Automobiles.

The rise in auto exports, especially electric vehicles, shows that Chinese central and western regions have built a solid supply chain, and that the automotive industry has become a key driver in the optimization of their foreign trade structure, boosting the overall trade volume, according to analysts.

Before, the exports of these provinces mainly relied on the electronic and information device foundries operated by giants like Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn, and Samsung, the analysts noted.

Editor: Futura Costaglione