Chinese cars

bluethrunthru said:
like them or not whilst the Western World has pissed about trying to maintain a traditional car making industry the Chinese have got on with making theirs massive. They opened a BYD dealership in Middlesbrough and their EV's seem to be everywhere now.
Click to expand...
The European car industry hasn’t done itself any favours in the last 10 years that’s for sure.

I can’t think of a single brand new mainstream car that remotely interests me, from any manufacturer. Maybe that new Renault 5?

Even Volvo and BMW, once the mainstays of understated well engineered excellence, are chucking out naff hideous plastic shite nowadays.

Volvo owned by the Chinese of course.
 
Johnny Mars Bar said:
What people need to realise when considering one of these things is the companies are all part of the Chinese state, either through ownership or subsidy, and part of their strategic aim of weakening western economies by damaging our automotive industries.

If you’re happy with that then cool, buy your cheap Jaecoo, enjoy the bargain.

My personal view is anyone who buys one of these shit heaps is a traitor.

Also look into Jaecoo’s highly aggressive treatment of automotive journalists. It’s a bit eye opening - but maybe not surprising when you remind yourself who is behind these companies.

Think to yourself what would happen if the European car industry ceased to be.

Click to expand...

Aye, European manufacturers would never stoop to underhand tactics to avoid honest reviews, would they?



Every company in the world engages shady tactics to get favourable coverage. Early access in exchange for brown-nosing 'reviews' are completely standard these days (and always were tbh). I still remember when Q Magazine gave a 5 star review to a Razorlight album coincidentally in the same issue they have an exclusive interview with them. A year later, they readjusted their score down to 2 stars.
 
Johnny Mars Bar said:
Do explain.

The business model is to flood the European market with cheap goods to undercut European manufacturers, with the knock on effect being to damage European economies.

There’s nothing “stupid” about that. You’ve got to remember the Chinese think on multi-decadal scales.

If you can’t wrap your head around the implications of saving a few quid by buying cheap Chinese tat, then you’re the one who’s drunk the “koolaid” pal.
Click to expand...
It's a free market economy, and with prices rising consumers will vote with their wallets. It's a long term strategy by Cina, but a sound one. Either countries go down the 'America First' route, and strangle their economies that way, or they buy Chinese.
 
I would not buy a Chinese electric car, this is down to the resale value, if you can get a good deal on a lease deal they are worth considering.
 
i kne albert davy said:
To be honest don't really think there's any bad cars now just some better than others, assume they both come with a long warrantee.
Click to expand...
Not driven a Vauxhall lately then!
Had a new one as a loaner while my car was being fixed. Couldn't believe how poor they are. Looked good but at least 10 years behind dynamically and ergonomically. So i parked it up and just drove my van!
 
Last edited:
I think the Chinese cars represent fantastic value for money. Their EV's are actually leading the way.

However, there are some quirks that people who drive them daily will notice over time.
The biggest drawback is dealer support. We also don't know how they will fair long term yet, as we have no history of them. Then there's driving dynamics and quality differences. No matter how hard they try, the cheapness eventually shows through.
It's the same with Lexus, no matter how many i drive, i can never get away from the feeling that i'm still in a posh Toyota.

My EV is just as fast as my last Audi. Yet there isn't a cat in hells chance of it taking a bend the same. Drive a German car for a while, and then jump in just about any car brand and the difference in handling can be stark. So on paper and in a straight line, the Chinese cars look good. Behind the wheel, not so much. The Korean brand Hyundai are taking handling and dynamics seriously in their N models.

If you are not really into cars, then the Chinese brands are well worth a look. If you do love your cars, i feel they are still worth a look, but maybe they are not just there "yet".
 
Are chinese brands just the new Korean brands?

Hyundai, Kia etc were seen as cheap crap. But nowadays are mainstays.

Japanese cars used to be the same.
 
fulabeer said:
I think the Chinese cars represent fantastic value for money. Their EV's are actually leading the way.

However, there are some quirks that people who drive them daily will notice over time.
The biggest drawback is dealer support. We also don't know how they will fair long term yet, as we have no history of them. Then there's driving dynamics and quality differences. No matter how hard they try, the cheapness eventually shows through.
It's the same with Lexus, no matter how many i drive, i can never get away from the feeling that i'm still in a posh Toyota.

My EV is just as fast as my last Audi. Yet there isn't a cat in hells chance of it taking a bend the same. Drive a German car for a while, and then jump in just about any car brand and the difference in handling can be stark. So on paper and in a straight line, the Chinese cars look good. Behind the wheel, not so much. The Korean brand Hyundai are taking handling and dynamics seriously in their N models.

If you are not really into cars, then the Chinese brands are well worth a look. If you do love your cars, i feel they are still worth a look, but maybe they are not just there "yet".
Click to expand...

I buy from Ali-Express every now and then and their customer service is shite, doubt I would sink a lot of money into a Chinese car without that guarantee.
 
mexico1970 said:
I buy from Ali-Express every now and then and their customer service is shite, doubt I would sink a lot of money into a Chinese car without that guarantee.
Click to expand...
I've ordered a few things. But i do understand it is a total gamble. I would never buy anything of value though.
 
In China's car market these past two years the real competitors have been Tesla and some cheaper Volkswagen models. Japanese cars have lost much of their appeal among buyers. That "special charm" or premium feeling they once had is mostly gone. Chinese car brands are becoming much more accepted—especially by younger people, who see buying a domestic electric car or a Tesla as fashionable. Choosing a foreign gas car is... something only old people would do.
 
fulabeer said:
I think the Chinese cars represent fantastic value for money. Their EV's are actually leading the way.

However, there are some quirks that people who drive them daily will notice over time.
The biggest drawback is dealer support. We also don't know how they will fair long term yet, as we have no history of them. Then there's driving dynamics and quality differences. No matter how hard they try, the cheapness eventually shows through.
It's the same with Lexus, no matter how many i drive, i can never get away from the feeling that i'm still in a posh Toyota.

My EV is just as fast as my last Audi. Yet there isn't a cat in hells chance of it taking a bend the same. Drive a German car for a while, and then jump in just about any car brand and the difference in handling can be stark. So on paper and in a straight line, the Chinese cars look good. Behind the wheel, not so much. The Korean brand Hyundai are taking handling and dynamics seriously in their N models.

If you are not really into cars, then the Chinese brands are well worth a look. If you do love your cars, i feel they are still worth a look, but maybe they are not just there "yet".
Click to expand...
I drive at the speed limit so I don't give a fuck about handling, or anything they say on top gear...even so I would never buy a Chinese car.
Just that military parade with Putin and Fat Kim would put me off.

The roads here have loads of BYDs and brands I've never heard of. Freaks me out because nobody knows how good dealer support will be in 5 years or whatever. (As you said). Or how good the car is.

My DIL has an MG she liked it when she bought it nice and shiny but eventually she decided it felt cheap next to their other car, a Subaru. So she's gone off it.

I will only buy Japanese cars. And I mean made in Japan.
 
Last edited:
Alvin-blue-qhd said:
That scene was truly a statement to the West:"I don't care what you think."
Click to expand...
So you're saying the stages a huge military parade at great expense just to make a statement about how much they don't care what the west thinks?

Sounds like some rags I know. They've "not cared" about us for 15 years now.
 
Would the naysayers like to comment on what Datsun’s dealer network was like when they started?
Or Kia’s?
Or Hyundai’s?
 
mexico1970 said:
I buy from Ali-Express every now and then and their customer service is shite, doubt I would sink a lot of money into a Chinese car without that guarantee.
Click to expand...
Yep, South Korea has a huge culture of after sales care because they apparently have ridiculously strong consumer protections. Unsurprisingly, this also transfers into their international sales on things like cars with their huge warranties. The one thing I'd say in favour of Chinese cars is like the Korean cars of 15 or 20 years ago, or some of the Eastern European brands, the stigma that comes with them means they often have to provide a much better service if they want to build market share and be taken seriously as an international player. There's a reason why Kia are offering a 7 year warranty and Mercedes only offer 3.
 
Bill Walker said:
I drive at the speed limit so I don't give a fuck about handling, or anything they say on top gear...even so I would never buy a Chinese car.
Just that military parade with Putin and Fat Kim would put me off.

The roads here have loads of BYDs and brands I've never heard of. Freaks me out because nobody knows how good dealer support will be in 5 years or whatever. (As you said).

My DIL has an MG she liked it when she bought it but eventually she decided it felt cheap next to their other car, a Subaru. So she's gone off it.

I will only buy Japanese cars. And I mean made in Japan.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, everything in your life will have some Chinese part in it. So being ethical is near impossible.
While i agree avoiding Teslas and Chinese cars for example is an obvious way to not support bad actors, the truth is we need the Chinese, as much as they need us.

These countries with unethical dictatorships are a fact of life, and it would be better to wean ourselves from them. But until Trump is ousted, we are where we are!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top