China's auto exports are estimated to slow notably this year after holding the export crown for a second year in 2024, with no growth predicted for electric vehicle exports, an auto association official said on Thursday.

Beijing is planning to curb the export of technology used to extract minerals critical for the growth of the global electric vehicle (EV) industry, as a tech rivalry with Washington escalates ahead of the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump later this month.

China's exports of electric cars are unlikely to grow further this year, according to a Chinese association. Chinese car exports are expected to increase by 10% overall, said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the industry association CPCA.

Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles jumped more than 40 percent in China last year, as demand for new energy models continues to surge and the sector remains entrenched in a gruelling price war.

But today, China is also the biggest global exporter of electric vehicles (EVs). Following an astonishing 13,300 per cent increase in production between 2017 and 2023, the country has skyrocketed to dominance in the sector.

Tesla Inc. officially launched its refreshed Model Y sport utility vehicle in China on Friday and started to take orders, its website showed.

The Model Y, which Tesla announced in China, will start at 263,500 Chinese yuan ($35,935), with deliveries set to begin in March.

Tesla unveiled the latest version of the Model Y crossover on Friday, revealing some design tweaks and a series of upgraded features. There was much anticipation ahead of the launch on its Chinese consumer site,