Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the surge in Chinese automotive exports and the subsequent "buying ships" movement among domestic automakers to secure transportation capacity and reduce costs amid rising shipping prices [4][6][12]. Group 1: Automotive Export Growth - China's automotive export volume has dramatically increased from 1 million units before 2021 to over 5 million units in 2023, making it the world's largest automotive exporter for three consecutive years [6][9]. - The shipping costs for automotive transport have skyrocketed, with the daily rental price for a 6,500-car capacity ship rising from $10,000 in mid-2020 to $115,000 by the end of 2023, marking a 9.5-fold increase [6][12]. Group 2: Shipbuilding Initiatives - Major automakers like SAIC Group and BYD have initiated their own shipbuilding projects to create a fleet of automotive transport ships, with SAIC planning to build 12 ships with capacities ranging from 7,600 to 9,500 cars [7][8]. - BYD has also confirmed the construction of 8 automotive transport ships, with a total investment of nearly 5 billion yuan [7][9]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Chinese automakers are striving to become significant players in the global automotive transport market, with companies like Chery and GAC also investing in shipbuilding [8][9]. - As of April 2025, Chinese shipowners hold a 7.6% share of the global automotive transport fleet, with SAIC owning 18 ships, ranking 15th globally [12][13]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Concerns - There are concerns about potential oversupply in the automotive transport market due to the rapid increase in shipbuilding and a slowdown in export growth [13]. - Experts suggest that collaboration among different automotive brands could mitigate risks associated with potential oversupply by sharing transportation resources [13].