China's new-energy vehicle (NEV) exports saw a notable jump in April, with global recognition of Chinese NEVs continuing to rise, according to an industry report on Sunday, which noted that Chinese-made electric vehicle brands will not be affected by steep US protectionist tariffs due to very limited sales in the US.

A monthly industry analysis released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) emphasized that Chinese automakers are insulated from US tariffs as exports to the country are "negligible," especially for domestic brands, which have "virtually" no sales presence in the US.

CPCA data showed that NEV passenger vehicle exports hit 189,000 units in April, up 44.2 percent year-on-year, accounting for 44.6 percent of total passenger vehicle exports - a 14-percentage-point increase from the same period last year.

As China's NEVs gain scale advantages and market demands expand, more and more domestically made NEVs are going overseas, with their international recognition steadily growing, the report said.

"Despite recent external disruptions, exports of domestic plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) to developing countries are growing rapidly with bright prospects," the report said. PHEVs made up 33 percent of NEV exports in April, up 14 percentage points from last year.

Expansion into markets with relaxed automotive policies could become a new growth driver for Chinese automakers, per the CPCA report.

China's vehicle exports to the US are almost negligible, primarily for testing, so the US tariff hike will have a minimal impact on Chinese automakers and is unlikely to inflict any substantial harm, Wu Shuocheng, a veteran automobile industry analyst, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"Chinese vehicles continue to enjoy strong appeal in emerging markets such as the Middle East, Asia and South America, driven by their competitive edge in performance, pricing and innovation," Wu noted.

Wu warned that sweeping US tariffs on auto parts are likely to have a severe impact on US auto brands that heavily rely on Chinese components, such as General Motors and Ford.

The US imposed 25 percent tariffs on imported auto parts on May 3 that could sharply raise prices for new and used vehicles as well as for repairs and insurance, The New York Times reported earlier. The 25-percent tariff on imported automobiles previously announced took effect on April 3.

The CPCA's analysis pointed out Chinese NEV brands' sustained strength in major overseas markets. In March, they captured 11.7 percent of the global NEV market, with accelerating expansion. From January to March, China contributed 84 percent of the world's NEV sales growth, cementing its role as the epicenter of the global EV race.

Wu attributed Chinese automakers' competitiveness to decades of supply chain refinement and leadership in electrification and smart technologies.

This year's growth will primarily stem from the enhanced competitiveness of Chinese car products and market expansion in Global South countries, the CPCA report stressed.

Meanwhile, as China accelerates its NEV transition, demand for imported gasoline vehicles has declined sharply. Imports of US-made vehicles plummeted by 66 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, with declines persisting in March, the CPCA analysis showed.

Despite strained China-US automotive trade ties due to US protectionism, Wu noted the positive progress in China-EU tariff negotiations, which could benefit both Chinese automakers and European dealers, fueling the growth of the auto sector.

Following a video meeting on April 8 between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, technical teams from both sides have maintained "close communication" on EV price undertakings, trade and investment cooperation, while intensifying efforts to advance the consultation process, a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in late April.

The CPCA report also cautioned that external pressures, including US tariffs, may dampen consumer sentiment in the coming months, while highlighting the passenger car market's role of stabilizing domestic demand, as policies are speeding up China's shift toward a dual focus on the domestic and global markets.

Retail sales of new-energy passenger vehicles in China increased by 33.9 percent year-on-year last month, and the retail penetration rate of NEVs in the overall domestic passenger car market reached 51.5 percent, up 7 percentage points from last year, per the CPCA, which predicted stable market growth in May, driven by consumption promotion policies.

"With a diversified market structure and continuous product innovation, Chinese carmakers are set to maintain strong sales performances both at home and abroad," Wu said.