Exports boom in 2012 as automakers Geely and GAC ramp up their overseas efforts.

China’s vehicle exports rose 29.7% in 2012 from a year earlier to 1.06 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, as the nation’s car manufacturers look to expand outside of the tough domestic market. Passenger cars accounted for almost half of total vehicle exports, followed by trucks.

Amongst the biggest exporters were Chery Automobile Co Ltd and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, both of which exported over 100,000 units last year. Geely’s exports surged 164% from a year earlier, mainly to emerging markets such as Russia, Ukraine and Iraq, where it operates both complete and semi-knockdown kit plants.

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co (GAC) is also looking overseas for growth. As well as entering developing markets with affordable, gasoline-powered cars, the company also plans to enter more developed markets with new-energy vehicles as early as 2015.

According to the General Administration of Customs, revenue from vehicle exports had already reached $67.82 billion by the beginning of December.