China's Used Pickup Truck Exports Become a New Growth Driver, with Overseas Market Share Continuing to Climb

In Southeast Asian plantations, Middle Eastern deserts, and African mining and construction sites, Chinese used pickup trucks are becoming a new choice for local users. The latest industry data shows that in the first half of 2024, pickup trucks accounted for over 35% of my country's total used car exports, a year-on-year increase of 12.3%. This means that one out of every three used cars exported was a pickup truck, making used pickups a quiet "profit driver" in the export market.

This growth trend is confirmed by operational data from key export bases. On June 25th, the Guiyang (Vientiane, Laos) Used Car Export Overseas Marketing Public Service Center was officially unveiled. In its 600-square-meter standardized showroom, pickup trucks are displayed alongside SUVs and new energy vehicles, becoming a popular category for local businesses seeking information. According to Guiyang Silk Road Automobile Technology Co., Ltd., the operator, as of May 2025, the Guiyang base had exported a total of 265 used vehicles to Laos, with pickup trucks accounting for over 40%. The average transaction price per vehicle reached 175,000 yuan, and the total export value reached 46.43 million yuan.

The popularity of Chinese used pickup trucks overseas stems from their irreplaceable core advantages. Industry analysis points out that domestically produced pickup trucks from mainstream brands such as Great Wall, JAC, and ZTE, with their non-unibody construction and durable diesel engines, are naturally suited to the diverse usage needs of overseas markets. The domestic acquisition cost of 3-5 year old used pickup trucks is only 40%-50% of the new car price, but they can be sold for 70%-80% of the domestic new car price after export, with an average profit margin 5-8 percentage points higher than that of ordinary passenger cars.

Precise adaptation to different markets further boosts export growth. The Middle Eastern market prefers large-displacement, four-wheel-drive diesel pickup trucks to handle desert terrain, Southeast Asian users favor fuel-efficient mid-size pickups, the African market emphasizes rugged and durable utility vehicles, while the European market has begun to focus on electric pickups. Entities like the Guiyang base have addressed after-sales bottlenecks by establishing overseas service networks. Currently, 10 overseas operation centers have been established in countries such as Kazakhstan, Laos, and Cambodia, providing localized services such as parts warehousing, maintenance, and repairs, achieving a closed-loop process from "Guiyang inspection to Vientiane delivery."

However, the industry also faces challenges such as differentiated emission standards and high certification costs in some markets. In response, export companies are strictly controlling vehicle condition through standardized preparation processes, prioritizing mainstream diesel models aged 3-5 years, and collaborating with industry associations to build a certification service platform. With the continuous improvement of overseas service systems, Chinese used pickup trucks are transitioning from simply "going global" to "establishing a foothold," becoming an emerging force in the global automotive market.