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.

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,