Chinese automakers pose a growing threat to their American counterparts — even without selling directly to consumers in the U.S. market.
Sales of China-made vehicles are rising at notable rates in Asia, Europe and other countries outside those continents. China recently reported exports of more than 5 million vehicles in 2023, topping Japan to become the top country for car exports in the world.
That volume from well-established, government-owned companies like SAIC and Dongfeng, as well as newer players like BYD, Nio and others, has catapulted China from the sixth ranking to the top seed since 2020. It comes amid declining U.S. vehicle exports as companies such as General Motors have cut international operations. U.S. auto exports in 2022, the most recent data available, were down 25% from their peak in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
America — fourth globally in vehicle exports prior to 2020 — ranked sixth in the world last year, falling behind No. 5 Mexico, No. 4 South Korea and No. 3 Germany, according to global consulting firm AlixPartners.
“Crumple like tin cans,” as long as you’re not talking about the passenger cabin, is what safe cars are supposed to do.
I haven’t done a deep dive yet, but this seems to suggest that crash testing for many Chinese cars is actually pretty good.
I was in fact talking about the passenger cabin. I need to go find the video of it but there was a crash test of some Chinese made car (name was something like Cherry I think?) and pretty much the only thing not crushed flat was the engine. Drivers seat ended up wrapped around the engine block.
I don’t doubt you one bit. I know that Chinese cars have had some sketchy safety issues, but it does look like they’re really turning that around now on many models.