China has a rapidly growing automotive industry. According to (Li,2024), in terms of automobile sales and ownership, China is the world’s largest market. This is after surpassing Japan as the world’s largest exporter of automobiles in the first half of 2023.
With such reach and influence, it’s good to take a look at their offerings to find alternatives to the mainstream brands we are used to, e.g. Toyota. Let’s dive into some Chinese car brands that offer luxury within a budget of $60,000- who knows? They may flood our African markets soon and it makes sense to have an idea of our options.
Table of Contents
Li Auto: Li L9
Li Auto manufactures electric vehicles that use a range-extender technology where a small gasoline engine powers a generator that charges the battery that runs the vehicle. The L9 full-size SUV has been termed “an eastern BMW X7” with a range of impressive luxury features. It has a napa leather interior and a storage solution in the center console that cools Li down to 0℃ and heats up to between 35 and 50 ℃. It also features 3K resolution OLED displays for infotainment and a small touchscreen on the steering wheel similar to that of the Ferrari SF 90- a more expensive vehicle. It is technologically advanced and has autonomous driving features including a valet mode that parks the car for you without you having to be in the car!
Xiaomi: SU7
You may recognize Xiaomi for its phones which are quite popular in Kenya but not many people know that the company also makes cars. The SU7 is a sporty sedan similarly sized to the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan but similarly priced to the Tesla Model 3. Cool features include a rotating gauge cluster screen that tucks away when you leave and lock the car and pops out when you start the car. It also has a speaker embedded into the driver’s headrest that can give navigation directions without interrupting what is playing in the infotainment system.
Chery: Tiggo 9
Chery has been gaining popularity outside of China, especially with its joint partnership with Jaguar Land Rover which has the Chinese company making Jaguar Land Rover products in China. The Tiggo 9 is a 7-seater SUV that is beautifully plush with features that give European luxury brands a run for their money: pop-out door handles, a responsive 15-inch infotainment display, a sophisticated interior with premium materials and a large sunroof.
BYD: Han
BYD (Build Your Dreams) is one of the largest EV (Electric Vehicle) manufacturers in the world and fun fact: they assemble a number of Apple’s iPads so their operations go beyond the automotive industry- they actually began by focusing on building rechargeable batteries. BYD is known for its “blade battery” technology which is affordable, safe (very difficult to catch fire) and durable when compared to lithium-ion batteries. The Han is a luxury sedan that competes with the Tesla Model S and has interesting features like a 15.5-inch touchscreen that physically rotates between landscape and portrait modes, a crystal gear shifter similar to more expensive high-end BMWs and facial recognition unlocking in some markets. It’s also quite sporty with acceleration figures surpassing some sports cars.
XPeng: G9
XPeng makes EVs (Electric Vehicles) with innovative tech utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced driver-assistance features. The G9 SUV has extremely fast charging capabilities, being able to charge from 10% to 80% in 15 minutes when using the company’s ultra-fast 800V charging system. It offers an immersive media experience with seats that vibrate in sync to movies or music (on top of a massaging feature, being heated and ventilated). It also combines LiDAR, cameras and AI for autonomous driving so that there is minimal driver input even in ultra-urban driving. It also features typical luxury features such as air suspension for ultimate comfort.
NIO: ET5
NIO develops smart, premium and high-performance EVs and has quite the global reach with facilities in London, San Jose and Munich. The ET5 is a compact luxury sedan comparable to the Tesla Model 3. It has an AI personal assistant known as NOMI on the dashboard that reacts with facial expressions and is responsible for voice commands for a more interactive feel. It also has a panoramic glass roof similar to Teslas which is tinted and offers UV protection. NIO’s luxury is sustainable as its interiors are made of eco-friendly materials such as vegan leather and recycled PET bottles.
Hongqi: E-HS9
Hongqi is the oldest personal car brand in China having been established in 1958. It makes luxury vehicles that blend traditional crafting with modern technology. The E-HS9 is one such vehicle which evokes a Rolls Royce at first glance. It boasts features such as Intelligent Matrix LED Headlights which enhance night time visibility and give the face of the car a distinct look. It also has pop-out door handles, attention-grabbing welcome lights and a lavish interior that is both stylish and well-crafted. It offers all of these features at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent Rolls Royce. The E-HS9 may cost more than the set budget but used options can be found within budget and would be worthwhile.
These are just some of the luxury offerings from some of the Chinese car brands. There are plenty more brands and even more options available. These 7 options give a taste of what is out there beyond the typical vehicle manufacturers we are used to.
References
Li, David Daokui (2024). China’s World View: Demystifying China to Prevent Global Conflict. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0393292398.
https://www.hongqi-auto.com/pages/history/history.html
https://www.electrifying.com/blog/knowledge-hub/what-are-range-extender-cars
https://time.com/7172564/wang-chuanfu-climate/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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