Global automobile growth remained uneven in 2025, with Asia-Oceania emerging as the clear engine of expansion, said Shailesh Chandra, president of the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.
While global vehicle production rose 3.9 per cent to 96.4 million units and sales increased 4.7 per cent to 99.8 million units in 2025, Chandra noted that the momentum was far from uniform.
Chandra, the managing director and chief executive officer of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, was speaking on the sidelines of the Beijing Motor Show, one of the world’s largest auto exhibitions. The show has become a key platform for global debuts, and the 2026 edition is dominated by electric, intelligent, and software-defined vehicles.
Asia-Oceania led the upcycle with a 7.6 per cent rise in production, while Europe and the Americas recorded declines of 0.8 per cent and 2.1 per cent, respectively. This, he said, reflects a “distributed” pattern of global growth rather than a synchronised recovery.
The region has now consolidated its position as the industry’s centre of gravity, accounting for over 61 per cent of global vehicle production, driven by strong contributions from China, Japan, and India. The region is also leading on the demand side, with vehicle sales rising over 7 per cent, reinforcing its dual role as both the largest manufacturing hub and consumption market.
“Global automotive industry is being reshaped by technological change, geopolitical pressures, and diverging public policies,” Chandra said.
He added that manufacturers were navigating slower growth in some markets, intensified competition in others, and ongoing uncertainty linked to trade tensions, supply chains, affordability, energy prices, and the pace of electrification.
“Automotive sector globally is also investing massively in cleaner technologies, digital innovation and safety, while adapting to highly diverse consumer expectations and regulatory pathways across regions,” he added, pointing to structural shifts that are making growth increasingly region-specific rather than globally uniform.
At the exhibition, Chinese automakers and technology firms led major launches and global premieres, highlighting how Asia’s manufacturing strength is translating into growing influence over innovation, supply chains, and next-generation mobility technologies.
BYD showcased next-generation electric platforms and battery innovations, while NIO and XPeng highlighted advances in autonomous driving and intelligent cockpit systems. On the supply side, battery giants such as CATL demonstrated fast-charging and high-density cell technologies, underscoring the depth of China’s ecosystem across vehicles, software, and core components.
Senior industry executives echoed this theme at the show. Oliver Blume, chief executive officer of Volkswagen Group, described China as a “fitness centre for the automotive industry,” citing the speed of innovation and intensity of competition. Executives from leading Chinese automakers also outlined aggressive global expansion plans anchored in new energy vehicles.
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