China uncatchable when it comes to e-cars? Billing is done at the end
Tesla, BMW, VW and Co. face serious competition from China. Many of the western e-cars already have to be wary of their cousins from the Far East. But has the race already been decided, has China pulled away uncatchable? There are signs that speak against it.
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E-cars from China: These names are and are becoming increasingly important
If you look around the international automotive market – especially when it comes to e-cars – you will repeatedly stumble across names that many were seldom familiar with until just a few years ago.
Best example of the new brands and manufacturers currently especially from China start, is probably Nio. In contrast to many other names, which are now gradually gaining recognition in Germany, the manufacturer is actually still young. Nio was only founded in 2014, so it is less than 10 years old.
The brand’s e-cars can already be bought in Germany – and the models don’t have to hide from real industry giants such as BMW, Mercedes or Tesla. Many industry experts are true China no longer only as the most important sales market for automobiles, but also as the most important manufacturers internationally.
If BYD, Nio, Great Wall, SAIC or some other corporations – technically, in terms of price and also in terms of comfort, the Chinese e-cars do not have to hide behind big names like Tesla. Especially not behind the German traditionalists, some of whom are hesitant to switch to the electric drive.
Tesla, BWM, BYD, VW: These manufacturers set the tone for electric cars
If you look at the market in China and compare it with offers in Germany, you can easily get the impression: That’s it, autoland Germany was once. But the last word in this matter has not yet been spoken. This becomes clear, for example, in a current study by the ICCT.
The independent experts see e-mobility Tesla far ahead. In second place is BYD, the largest among Chinese automakers. But BMW and Volkswagen, two of the major German brands, follow. For example, Bayern scores like no other manufacturer when it comes to dealing with renewable energies. VW, on the other hand, can convince with ambitious goals and a wide selection across different classes.
Also in the overall category of technical performance, the German manufacturers are far from being left behind. China leads with BYD in the overall ranking. But the race is still open.
Made in China is increasingly becoming a seal of approval for e-cars:
Rebuff for Tesla: Customers leave e-car manufacturers out in the rain
Tesla is currently clearly ahead in the comparison of the environmental experts of the ICCT. But things are quite different for customers. A consumer survey in the United States recently showed that people’s favor with Tesla has fallen dramatically. The best rating by experts is ultimately not worth much if customers have bad experiences.
However, industry insiders from the highest levels attest that China has a considerable lead. So is for Ford boss Jim Farley is no longer a yardstick for Toyota as the world’s largest automaker. Instead of this the traditional US brand is also looking to China. Farley is certain that the Chinese will become “the driving force”. This is especially true for e-cars because the best batteries are built in China.
Mobility – something is happening: E-cars, electric bicycles, e-scooters, the Germany ticket for 49 euros on the bus and train – all of this moves us in two ways. And what else has happened in terms of mobility?
Ford boss: E-cars from China have a good lead
At the same time, the Ford boss expects another disadvantage for electric cars from Europe and America: they cannot be offered really cheaply for many years. He expects at the earliest after 2030 that e-cars can keep up with combustion engines in terms of costs. But Chinese electric models could still be significantly cheaper.
So it looks rather bleak through Ford’s glasses. Incidentally, the manufacturer ranks 12th out of 20 in the ICCT comparison. From a VW point of view, however, there is hope: the supply chain problems have been overcome – at least for the time being. Anyone who decides in favor of an e-car from Wolfsburg today should do so already in three months or receive less.
Not a promise, but still a good sign. It also shows that many parameters are important when making a decision. China is currently pushing ahead with its fresh car brands and a lot of mass behind it. But the experience and the good name of the traditional manufacturers from Europe and the USA are still worth something.
