Nationwide Vehicle Contracts explores the expansion strategies of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers in Europe and the challenges they’ve faced.
China is a country that’s often clouded in mystery for us in Europe, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned in the last couple of years, it's that they make very good cars.
The Chinese share of the European electric vehicle market is up to 8% in 2023 and could reach 15% by 2025 (Reuters).
But how have Chinese EV manufacturers done this, and what strategies have they been using? Our blog below reveals all.
The UK is currently the largest market in Europe for Chinese EV brands, accounting for almost a third of sales in 2023 so far. Although Chinese manufacturers have traditionally struggled to enter the European market, the tide is beginning to turn.
Due to the introduction of new battery technology, affordable pricing, and reliable cars, Chinese EV brands are hard to ignore. Here are the brands to keep an eye out for:
Chinese brands have traditionally struggled to break free from their stereotypes in Europe. European consumers saw Chinese cars as years behind their Western counterparts, having poor build quality and being unreliable.
In order to prove modern Chinese electric vehicles are not as such, manufacturers have used various methods to penetrate the hearts and minds of European drivers, such as:
The main reason why some European drivers have turned to Chinese EVs is that they stand out from the crowd. They have a range of unique selling points that are hard to resist, such as:
Like any good business model, Chinese EVs solve a problem for the consumer. Europeans want to move electric but are put off by increasing costs and disappointing ranges, so look elsewhere to fill the void.
Chinese manufacturers can produce better batteries, on average a fifth cheaper than those in Europe, enabling them to undercut established European brands like Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW.
The ‘Chinese invasion’ of electric vehicles in the European market is a classic case of supply and demand. Europeans are keen to get behind the wheel of electric cars, but they either can’t afford them or see European battery technology as not good enough.
Chinese electric vehicle brands have filled this void by offering affordable EVs with generous ranges and loads of technology as standard.
I’d expect to see a whole lot more brands like ORA, BYD, and MG in the next five years.
Looking for more car news? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts produce regular blogs on various topics, such as How AI is Preventing Accidents and Overcoming Range Anxiety: Strategies for Navigating Long Drives in Your Leased EV.
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