Cars from China or the US - who is the leader on the used car market?

Chinese cars have made incredible technological leaps over the past few decades. However, they are still hardly known in Georgia. Columbus experts have prepared an overview of the most interesting Chinese cars, assessing their prospects in the secondary market compared to competitors from other countries.

The energy crisis has boosted the electric vehicle market and China is rushing in to take advantage of it, since it has not had much success producing gasoline powered cars. The new Chinese EVs are already competing with Tesla, as well as Japanese and Korean manufacturers threatening to squeeze them out of the global car market.

Out the door and back in through the window

The US and a number of other countries are trying to protect their markets from Chinese cars defending the interests of local manufacturers. Cars imported from China have a duty set for them - for example, in the US it is 27.5% of the price. That could change as early as this year, however, if NIO and Geely receive a federal electric vehicle tax credit. Or find another way to get into the United States "through the back door" like for instance importing their cars as Korean which are exempt from import tariffs.

Rumor has it that NIO is already posting job openings related to infrastructure development in California. The founder and CEO of NIO even announced that by 2025 the company plans to serve consumers in over 25 countries and regions of the world, including the United States, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Geely is not far behind, trying to develop new markets with the help of Renault.

How much longer will developed countries be able to resist the invasion of Chinese cars is hard to say. Probably no more than two or three years.

After that, Chinese cars will inevitably flood the secondary market. Some Chinese models are already available on it, including in Georgia.

The leading brand Chery has beat Geely and Lifan by two times. Next by demand are used cars from Great Wall, Haval, Changan, BYD, FAW, Exeed and Haima.

Let's take a brief look at the most well-known Chinese car manufacturers, and along the way evaluate the current popularity of some used Chinese models with the help of Columbus experts.

Popular Chinese automakers.

BYD.

In the past seven years, the company managed to become a leader in China. Moreover, 15 years after its foundation, the brand was able to gain popularity around the world. Cars made by this Chinese brand sell well in big cities with all categories of vehicles being in demand - from crossovers to electric cars. All new vehicles successfully pass European and American crash tests and meet the most stringent safety requirements.

● F3. A mid-range sedan offered at an affordable price. The first cars were nearly identical copies of the Toyota Corolla. They remain good sellers in the used market even after 3-5 years. The classic European look is complemented by decent technical specifications. The car comes with full power accessories, air conditioning, alloy wheels, airbags, etc.

Popularity on the used car market: 5 out of 10.

● S6. A full-size crossover with a stand-out design, comfortable and roomy interior and spacious luggage compartment. S6 is equipped with 6 airbags, power steering with four-way adjustable steering column, and disc brakes on all wheels. The model boasts a large number of innovative top-class equipment: a media system with 9 built-in speakers, Bluetooth, and dual-zone climate control. The impact-resistant and energy-absorbing body structure guarantees passenger safety – the car received 5 stars in C-NCAP tests.

Popularity on the used car market: 7 out of 10.

● E6. An electric crossover with a wide wheelbase and a large trunk. The built-in battery allows you to travel up to 300 km on a single charge. Maximum speed - up to 140 km/h. The car challenges the hyped cars of well-known auto brands but loses a few points in the quality of parts and assembly.

Popularity on the used car market: 5 out of 10.

Chery.

Chery is the first Chinese automaker to export its products outside of the country. It models are currently being assembled at 11 factories around the world, including Brazil and Egypt. The company made its first cars using equipment from Ford, essentially producing copies of American cars but after 15 years, Chery created its own line of popular cars.

● Tiggo 2. A compact crossover with a vivid and sporty appearance. The car will brighten its owner’s experience with a wide wheelbase, high clearance, and a good power train and gearbox. The chassis have a significant reserve factor. Mixed type fuel consumption ranges between 8-10 liters / 100 km.

Popularity on the used car market: 6 out of 10.

● Tiggo 7. The car leads the ranking of the best Chinese cars in recent years. The crossover is equipped with a 152 hp turbocharged gasoline engine, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, a surround view camera and six airbags for the driver and passenger safety. The premium body design is complemented by halogen headlights. The stylish interior uses high quality materials and wood.

Popularity on the used car market: 7 out of 10.

● eQ. A subcompact urban EV with the top speed of 100 km/h, and no more than 200 km range on one charge. The small electric car is currently only sold in China but the manufacturer plans to offer it worldwide.

Popularity on the used car market: 0 out of 10.

Geely.

A Chinese automaker that manages to sell over 2.2 million vehicles annually (according to 2021 data). It is privately owned by Chinese billionaire and business tycoon Li Shufu. Geely acquired Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Company in 2010 and owns shares in Jidu Auto, London Electric Vehicle Company, Lotus, etc. Today, you can find over thousand classified ads in Georgia about the sale of used cars made by this Chinese brand.

● Emgrand 7 FL. This family sedan with excellent interior and decent technical capabilities comes with a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and manual gearbox. This tandem works very well and can easily overcome the mark of 200 thousand kilometers without major repairs. The car meets European safety and eco standards. It is equipped with 6 airbags, and EBD (electronic brake distribution) system to maintain directional stability.

Popularity on the used car market: 5 out of 10.

● Geely MK. A lightweight front-wheel drive sedan that makes for a great option on a limited budget. The car can easily go over 200 thousand km given proper care and replacement of expendables. The MK is rather inexpensive, even fully loaded. This model is popular in small towns due to its affordable price, as well as maintainability.

Popularity on the used car market: 7 out of 10.

● Emgrand EV. The first car that was 100% developed in house by Geely. In terms of capabilities, this EV does not lag behind its gasoline counterpart. The electric motor power is 95 kW providing a range of 235 km. The car can get up to 100 km/h in 9 seconds, with the maximum speed of 140 km/h.

Popularity on the used car market: 4 out of 10.

● Geely Atlas. A comfortable SUV with a stand-out design - the developers focused on young people - and nice interior finish. The driver's area is delightful and is thought out to the smallest detail. The car also has a spacious trunk, comfortable heated seats, with some options including separate climate control zones, parking sensors, modern multimedia with a speaker set, and keyless entry.

Popularity on the used car market: 7 out of 10.

Great Wall.

The company is known to Georgian drivers for its affordably priced SUVs. It is a full-cycle manufacturer that sells vehicles under its own brand, as well as marques like GWM, Haval, WEY, TANK, POER, ORA. In 2010, it was the only Chinese car manufacturer selling cars in the EU. Now the assembly - mainly SUVs and pickups - is done all over the world including the recently purchased GM plant in Thailand.

● Wingle 7. Perhaps the best Chinese pickup truck. Powerful and good for cross-country rides, it will not lag behind compared to American SUVs. The car is equipped with an all-wheel drive system, as well as a rear differential lock. The driver can select the transmission mode depending on the type of road surface. The ground clearance is 212mm and the climb angle is 35%.

Popularity on the used car market: 7 out of 10.

● M4. A budget small engine SUV, renamed Haval H1 after Great Wall spun off Haval as a separate sub-brand in 2013. The car is equipped with cruise control, air conditioning, front airbags, parking radar, and electronic stability control (ESC). Roof rails allow you to install a roof rack to transport sports equipment like bicycles, skis, etc.

Popularity on the used car market: 5 out of 10.

Haval.

A car brand owned by the Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors that specializes in the production of crossovers and SUVs. Sold in many countries around the world, including the US (!). In terms of the technical specs and design, Haval SUVs are on par with mid-price range cars made by European and American manufacturers. In 2016, Havals caused quite a stir in the media. “Australia is flooded with cheap Chinese cars and they want to overtake Toyota,” News.com.au reported, for example. Haval's sales dynamics continue to grow and the brand has been getting more and more fans.

● H2. A small medium engine B-segment crossover. Red Label cars tend to be more conservative in terms of style while Blue Label cars are more aggressive and target younger markets. The car comes with a modern multimedia system, dual-zone climate control, electrically heated mirrors and rear seats, a power sunroof, door backlighting, and keyless access. If you pay extra, you can get a tire pressure monitoring system and parking sensors all around. The ANCAP website lists the Haval H2 as having the highest safety rating of five stars.

Popularity on the used car market: 5 out of 10.

● H6. The second generation of the crossover solved many of the problems the first one had, and the automaker has adequately equipped the car. The share of high-strength steel in the body is 65% which affects both the safety of passengers and comfort while driving. The car is equipped with 6 airbags, an energy-absorbing steering column, and a specially shaped head rest that protects against injuries. And as a result – 5 star rating from the C-NCAP.

Popularity on the used car market: 6 out of 10.

● H7. The "older" version of the crossover with excellent technical specs. The car is sold in several options with 5 or 7 seats, and is equipped with a 2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, along with a six-speed automatic transmission. The crossover comes with all around cameras, a parking sensor, climate control and heated seats. A panoramic sunroof can be added at an additional price.

Popularity on the used car market: 6 out of 10.

● H9. A rather expensive body-on-frame SUV (priced at about $35,000) with a spacious interior, large trunk, powerful engine and all-wheel drive. You can select the desired driving mode depending on the type of surface and feel confident on the sand, snow, or in the mud. The rigid body structure ensures high level of safety, and the multi-link suspension makes the ride comfortable. The car can be equipped with an additional row of seats in the back making it suitable for a large family.

Popularity on the used car market: 7 out of 10.

Conclusions

There is no doubt that the Chinese auto industry will offer more pleasant surprises to car enthusiasts in the future. Chinese cars are still poorly represented in the used markets in Europe and America, with their share hovering around 2-3%, so the question of whether to purchase one or not is not truly relevant.

Another thing is the purchase of a new Chinese car instead of the similarly priced used cars from European, American or Japanese manufacturers. There is plenty to think about here, but it should be noted that the Chinese still cannot compete with the world's leading brands in the premium segment. A $20,000 car from China will be in many way inferior to an older used one from elsewhere at the same price.

The situation will possibly change in the next 5-10 years but for now the surest way to buy a car with a goodl price-quality ratio is to stake one at a car auction in America.

Many Columbus customers have already had the chance to appreciate the wide range of models presented at auctions in the US and Canada, as well as the advantages of purchasing a car with the help of Columbus experts. Keep in mind that using Columbus dealer accounts at auctions, as well as taking advantages of other pros of the company that ensure favorable delivery conditions, customs clearance and auto repair, can help you save significantly on the car purchase.

With the help of Columbus, you can buy a car in America at the cost of 30% - 40% lower than that of a similar model in Georgia. We charge a small commission for consulting services and will help to deliver a turnkey car to any city in the country - Poti, Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Gori, Zugdidi – right to your doorstep wherever it is.