Answer:
2002.7 (1 d.p.).
The value of the exports reached $8.8 billion during the year 2002.
Explanation:
The function modelling the approximate value of China's exports of automobiles and parts (in billions of dollars) is:

where x = 0 corresponds to 1998.
To find the year when the exports reach $8.8 billion, substitute f(x) = 8.8 into the given equation, solve for x, then add this value to 1998.

Add the found value of x to the year 1998:

Therefore, the the value of the exports reached $8.8 billion during the year 2002.
As the answer requires the year with at least one decimal place, the final answer is 2002.7 (1 d.p.).