Chinese NEVs shine at auto shows abroad

GAC said its attendance at this year's show marked the launch of its European ambitions, while Leapmotor, in partnership with Stellantis, said it aimed to have 500 points of sale in Europe by the end of 2025.

Newer Chinese entrants like Seres, which is challenging the position of BMW and Mercedes in the premium SUV sector, and FAW's Hongqi showed new models as they sought overseas sales.

The Europeans are struggling to compete with Chinese rivals' lower costs and their ability to develop new EVs in just two years, at least twice as fast as traditional Western automakers.

"The Europeans have massive alarm bells ringing," said Phil Dunne, managing director at strategy consultancy Stax, in an interview with Reuters.

"They have recognized they need to do something pretty radical and they only have a couple of years to do it."

Having established their presence in Western Europe, Chinese car companies have rolled out bigger lineups at exhibitions in other parts of the world.

In October 2024, GWM, Dongfeng and Geely were attracting attention with their latest electric and hybrid models at the 26th Sofia Motor Show in Bulgaria.

GWM, a familiar brand in Bulgaria, unveiled its EV model, the ORA 07, for local consumers, along with the ORA 03 and the hybrid WEY 05.

Since 2011, GWM has steadily built trust in Bulgaria. Todor Stoykov, commercial director at Bulgarian Automotive Industry EAD, told Xinhua that the initial hesitation around Chinese cars had faded.

Stoykov noted that GWM's progress and China's broader auto advancements have boosted consumer confidence. "The GWM cars are increasingly accepted by Bulgarian consumers," he said, crediting years of effort and technological growth for this change.

He also emphasized GWM's advanced driver-assistance and safety systems. These include high-level processors and innovative battery technology. Though not always cheaper, Stoykov believes GWM offers excellent value.

Dongfeng, present in Bulgaria since 2022, and Geely, a recent entrant, displayed their models side by side.

Lyubomir Georgiev, 45, praised Geely's interior quality and design, reported Xinhua. While unsure about long-term durability, he found the price appealing. "Inside, the car looks nice, one feels comfortable," Georgiev added.

Chinese carmakers are even more frequent exhibitors in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where NEVs have become increasingly popular among local car buyers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Geneva auto show was moved to Doha, Qatar, in 2023. Of Chinese carmakers were Geely's premium brand Lynk & Co and Chery, each showcasing their respective lineups at the biggest booths.

As the Middle East is emerging as an important overseas market for Chinese carmakers, more are expected to attend the Qatar edition of the Geneva show, with the next one scheduled to be held in November 2025.

The presence of Chinese NEV makers is even bigger in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand.

At the 41st Thailand International Motor Expo 2024, which concluded on Dec 10, total vehicle bookings of 62,495 units were recorded during its 13-day run, of which 41.3 percent were EVs, said the organizers.

While Japan's Toyota emerged as the top-selling brand with 8,297 units, Chinese brands led in the NEV segment, with BYD ranking No 1 at 7,042 units, followed by GAC AION at 3,668 units and SAIC MG at 3,311 units.

"The recognition from the consumers of our EVs is beyond the affection for cars, but a growing public trend of pursuing a sustainable life," said Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD's auto sales division for Asia-Pacific.

"China has gained great experience in green development. We'd love to share our experiences with the world, making joint contributions to the global sustainable goal," Liu said.