Can Chinese carmakers win over enthusiasts?
Plus a £5,000 weekend car challenge on this week's episode of The Gassing Station
Another World EV day has come and gone, and had it not been for Matt B shining a light on the Audi e-tron GT Ice Race Edition it would likely have passed you by completely unnoticed. Now, a surprisingly large number of PHers have an EV on their driveway, and a good chunk of those who don’t are actively looking for one. And who could blame them? In a perfect world, an EV can slash your monthly running costs, which just means you can funnel more cash into something a little more special. The only problem is that precious few can be considered genuinely exciting to drive. Chinese carmakers are keen to change that, with record-breaking Nürburgring runs, sky-high power outputs and increasingly outrageous performance cars. But are they actually winning over enthusiasts? So for this week’s episode of The Gassing Station podcast, we take a look at why they keep missing the mark.
Over the last few months, we’ve seen the emergence of Denza, yet another performance brand from BYD, smartphone giant Xiaomi setting an electric SUV record around the ‘Ring and the Voyah Passion S (yes, really) briefly driving upside down in a tunnel. You certainly can’t fault any of them for trying, but records and marketing stunts alone do precious little to stoke the enthusiast coals. Trouble is, the rest of the world isn’t doing a considerably better job. Yes, there are the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 Ns, both of which have gone down a treat on PH, and the Renault 5 Turbo 3E may very well do the same. But if it’s a proper driver’s car you’re after, the EV market still leaves something to be desired. Still, we take a stab at trying to discern why the continuous barrage of Chinese performance EVs keep missing the mark, and why cars like the SC01 suggest some carmakers may already be working on the answer.
Don’t worry, it’s not all about EVs, as we’ve got a buying challenge to chew on. PHer RED5RACING is after a weekend car that’s “a bit old school and analogue” for £5,000, with an Abarth 500 and an NC Mazda MX-5 both making the shortlist. Sam, however, thinks this Peugeot 208 GTI should be on their radar, too, as it’s a bit more modern than the other two and packs a bigger punch. My suggestion is this Mazda RX-8, which not only comes in £2,000 under budget but, arguably, is more fun to drive. EV makers of the world, take note.
Even if BYD put the 4wd drivetrain from their SUV into their estate car they'd have a cut priced competitor perhaps not for the RS4 but certainly the Octavia vRS etc.
I would buy Chinese if I were looking for a ground up designed EV - but I wouldn't buy Chinese for a V8. I guess the only concern would be what level of support a few years down the line would be available? We're not familiar enough with the brands to have any confidence that they'll still be around in a few years.
Remember all the old jokes about Datsuns and Skodas? They're currently being recycled for Jaecoos and Omodas.
Give it time.
Remember all the old jokes about Datsuns and Skodas? They're currently being recycled for Jaecoos and Omodas.
Give it time.
Some folk aren't bothered about badges though, so the Chinese stuff will always sell well I think, and I wish I could be a bit more like that really. Plus I'd save a fortune whilst doing it too I reckon.
I have been really happy with my Nissan 370Z for the last nearly 8 years though, so I am capable of turning a blind eye to the badge for the right car I think to be fair.
The answer to the question is probably no, but they don't need to win over current enthusiasts, the just need to create new enthusiasts, which they will because buying a car is a big commitment, and a lot of people will justify it by invoking enthusiasm, even if none is seemingly warranted.
This isn't a slight on EVs but I'm yet to see one that would make me want to ditch my V8s as weekend toys. Given that most of the Chinese cars I'm seeing are hybrid or electric, from my enthusiast brain I don't see them winning me over there.
That said, I think some brands or cars are gaining some traction as being a decent prospect. I see EVs as a replacement of diesels which is where family cars are a decent market. Happened to see a review of a Jaecoo 7 seat SUV thing, was a hybrid with good range, appeared to be very well spec'd with a 7 year warranty. Looked impressive for the money and as a practical car for chucking the kids in, seems a good prospect. But that's my dad brain not car nerd brain!
The answer to the question is probably no, but they don't need to win over current enthusiasts, the just need to create new enthusiasts, which they will because buying a car is a big commitment, and a lot of people will justify it by invoking enthusiasm, even if none is seemingly warranted.
A car enthusiast may own an EV for the mundane and for the associated savings, but I've yet to see an EV maker make a car that an enthusiast may whole heartedly say wow and never want to own or desire an ICE vehicle again.
Fake engine sounds, gear shifts say it all.
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