Europe is trembling at the prospect of the Chinese car invasion. More precisely, from the cheap electric cars that have already reached price levels in China far below comparable combustion engines in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the equivalent of 15,000 to 20,000 euros, you can buy Chinese mid-range electric cars packed with digital gimmicks and generous battery capacities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, Chinese car manufacturers are having a hard time in Europe, especially in Germany. Although ostensibly European brands such as Volvo and Polestar have been able to position themselves very well, the technology and production (largely) take place in China. The best example is the Volvo EX30, which is extremely successful in Norway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The major Chinese brand BYD, on the other hand, is struggling. Even premium brands such as Zeekr (Geely), NIO and XPeng are currently only running with token editions. Only MG ROEWE is enjoying great success. With the MG4, the company has virtually created the electric Golf of the 2020s – much to the chagrin of the VW brand. The upcoming MG Cyberster, the first affordable electric roadster, will also cause a sensation in the premium segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The newcomer XIAOMI stood out at the Beijing Auto Show. The smartphone manufacturer’s stand, which has now also entered the electric car business, was literally besieged. The electric car presented in December 2023, reminiscent of a Porsche Taycan, is currently in high demand in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Car pope Duddenh\u00f6ffer tirelessly warns of Chinese car companies’ speed. It usually takes less than 12 months from the presentation of the first study to series production. No European or American manufacturer seems to be able to keep up with this pace, and the Germans certainly can’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Excuse me? Have I forgotten my constant warnings about the dynamism of Chinese car manufacturers? Of course not. But let’s take Xiaomi’s SU7 for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The electric car costs a fraction of the Porsche Taycan, and the performance version (equivalent to 40,000 euros) is supposed to accelerate from 0 to 100 even faster than its role model. The Chinese car is said to take just 2.78 seconds and reach a top speed of 265 km\/h. According to a YouTube report by the China Observer, this should be avoided at all costs. Apparently, there are (among many other problems) difficulties with the brakes, AEB (Automatic Emergency Brake), and infotainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n