Until a decade ago, Chinese vehicles were - almost without exception - mediocre. It’s a sign of how fast the expansive nation has adapted and advanced that the cars it now produces represent, in many cases, as good or even better value than their European / Japanese / Korean / American rivals.
The numbers tell the story, as China exported more than five million vehicles last year, toppling Japan to become the biggest car exporter in the world for the first time.
The threat China poses to manufacturers elsewhere hasn’t been lost on the senior management of car companies, especially as the industry shifts rapidly towards electrification, for which the country is well placed to tackle global heavyweights.
“My number one competitor is Chinese carmakers,” says Carlos Tavares, chief executive of multinational car company Stellantis, which encompasses 14 auto brands - including Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and Maserati.
“This is going to be a big fight. There is no other way for a global carmaker like Stellantis that is operating all over the world than to go head-on with the Chinese carmakers. There is no other way.”
There’s no great secret to the growing success of Chinese carmakers - the key lies in the manufacturers’ ability to release wave after wave of internationally competitive new models at record pace.
Brands have also found ways to produce EVs economically and efficiently, unlike many other global carmakers - including GM, Ford, Audi and Mercedes - that recently announced cutbacks to their EV production plans. It’s also interesting to note that China’s BYD has now eclipsed Tesla as the world’s largest purveyor of electric vehicles.
The growing number of Chinese vehicles on UAE roads is plain to see, providing proof that local motorists no longer view them as substandard bargain-basement products.
Watch this video to learn more about the top manufacturers in China
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