Tesla has built a Gigafactory in China, and over 90% of its parts are sourced locally. As you may already know, most of Tesla’s aftermarket parts are also made in China.
If you’re in the business of wholesale Tesla repair parts, you’re probably wondering how to find the right suppliers in China.
This article will provide valuable insights. I’ll introduce two major manufacturing hubs for automotive exterior parts—mainly body panels—and guide you on how to connect with factories and trading companies.
China’s Automotive Parts Manufacturing Hubs
Both production hubs are located in Jiangsu Province—one in Danyang City, Zhenjiang, and the other in Baoying County, Yangzhou.
Danyang City
Our factory is located in Jiepai Town, which is under the jurisdiction of Danyang. We are close to Menghe Town, Changzhou City, which is a China renowned town for automotive & motorcycle parts.
Transportation
Danyang enjoys a strategic location, with the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and the Shanghai-Nanjing Intercity Railway passing through the city.
It is also well-connected by the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway (G42), National Highway 312 (G312), and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
Additionally, Changzhou Airport is within the city’s borders, and Zhenjiang Dagang Port is just 18 kilometers from the city center.
This well-developed transportation network integrates rail, road, waterway, and air transport, making logistics highly efficient.
Industry Overview
The majority of manufacturing enterprises are concentrated in Jiepai, Danbei, the Development Zone, and Fangxian.
In 2023, the automotive parts manufacturing industry in Danyang achieved taxable sales revenue of 38.88 billion yuan, marking a 17.86% year-on-year growth.
The industry primarily produces automotive lighting, interior and exterior trim, instrument panels, micro motors, air suspension systems, automotive air conditioning, aluminum alloy wheels, and airbag inflators.
Local manufacturers have established stable supply partnerships with major automakers, including Tesla, General Motors, Volkswagen, FAW, Dongfeng, SAIC, BAIC, GAC, Changan, Geely, JAC, Yutong, Great Wall, Chery, Yueda, NIO, Li Auto, and XPeng.
Baoying County
In 2024, after a thorough evaluation by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), Baoying County successfully passed the base reassessment and was once again recognized as one of the 20 designated “China Automotive Parts Manufacturing Bases” nationwide.
Transportation
Baoying County is located in central Jiangsu Province, along the lower reaches of the Huai River, at the northern edge of Yangzhou. It sits at latitude 33°2’46″–33°24’55” N and longitude 119°07’43″–119°42’51” E.
The county boasts a diverse and well-developed transportation network, including major routes such as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, and Beijing-Shanghai Railway.
With its strategic location and efficient transport infrastructure, Baoying has become a key logistics hub for resource distribution in central and northern Jiangsu.
Industry Overview
Baoying’s automotive parts industry dates back to the 1970s. After nearly 50 years of development, it is now home to over 180 enterprises.
In 2022 alone, automotive parts companies within the base achieved a total sales revenue of 11.88 billion yuan.
The industry has evolved into a major production and sales hub for body panels, with five specialized product categories: body panels (stamping parts), interior and exterior trim components, transmission system die-cast parts, aluminum alloy wheels, tensioners and specialty vehicles.
Baoying’s automotive parts are widely supplied to Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford, Hyundai, and other renowned domestic and international automakers.
How to source and connect?
Are you already eager to visit these two manufacturing hubs? Hold on! Before you go, here are a few important tips to help you make the most of your factory visits.
Although these are just small towns, navigating through hundreds or even thousands of enterprises without local knowledge can be quite challenging when trying to find ideal suppliers.
If you’re making a rare trip to China, it’s even more significant to plan your visit carefully.
Industry Trade Shows & Exhibitions
We recommend planning ahead to ensure an efficient trip. One great way to do this is by attending industry exhibitions, such as Canton Fair and the Automechanika Shanghai held every late November. This international trade fair attracts many manufacturers from Danyang and Baoying.
While exploring the exhibition, you can ask exhibitors for their factory addresses and schedule visits in advance.
If possible, request recommendations for other reliable suppliers to expand your options.
In addition to major international exhibitions, China hosts many other automotive parts trade shows throughout the year. Some notable ones include:
- CAPA Fair (Ningbo) – Focuses on aftermarket auto parts.
- AMR (Beijing) – A leading show for auto maintenance and repair.
- APW (Wuhan) – Specializes in auto parts and manufacturing technology.
- CAPAS (Chengdu) – Covers Southwest China’s auto parts and aftermarket sector.
Attending these exhibitions provides more opportunities to connect with suppliers, compare products, and gain industry insights.
Social Media
Not every company participates in these exhibitions each year, so you might miss out on a great supplier if you rely solely on trade shows.
Beyond popular e-commerce platforms like Alibaba and Made-in-China, Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) has become a key social tool for business. Many companies maintain Douyin accounts, sharing daily operations and industry insights. You can search for relevant business partners there and connect with them directly.
We highly recommend creating a WeChat account, as it is the primary communication tool for engaging with Chinese businesses. On Douyin, many companies will ask if you have WeChat—adding them makes communication much easier.
Additionally, 1688.com, China’s domestic B2B wholesale marketplace, is another great place to find factories and providers offering the products you need.
Factory Visits & Direct Sourcing
Well, with all the preparation done, you likely have a solid list of companies, contacts, and addresses in hand. Now, you can confidently head to Danyang or Baoying for an on-site visit!
A factory visit not only gives you a deeper understanding of the manufacturer, but also provides a broader picture of the entire industrial hub. This insight can be valuable for your long-term business strategy and future growth.
If your schedule is tight, consider asking a local business partner to help plan your visit in advance. Since these two towns are relatively small, a well-organized itinerary can easily allow you to visit multiple manufacturers in a single day.
Chinese are very hospitable—you can ask them for a ride to your next factory visit, making your trip smoother and more efficient.
Visiting China for an on-site inspection will undoubtedly be a valuable experience. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us directly.
With nearly 30 years of expertise in this industry, we are confident that we can provide the support and guidance you need.
