China says it has become the world’s biggest exporter of cars after overtaking Japan in the first three months of the year.

Officials figures released in the last week China exported 1.07 million vehicles in the period, up 58 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2022.

At the same time Japan’s vehicle exports stood at 954,185, after edging up 6 per cent from a year earlier.

China’s exports were boosted by demand for electric cars and sales to Russia.

Last year, China overtook Germany to become the world’s second largest car exporter.

According to China’s General Administration of Customs, China exported 3.2 million vehicles in 2022, compared to Germany’s 2.6 million vehicle exports.

The shift away from fossil fuels has helped fuel the rise of China’s motor industry.