Charles Morris, writing for Charged EVs;
China will export some six million cars to over a hundred countries this year, making it the world’s #1 auto exporter. The average price of these made-in-China cars is $19,000, less than half the average price in North America or Europe. (An often-overlooked point is that these are not just EVs—the Chinese are exporting gobs of gas-guzzlers too.)
In Thailand, Japanese brands have dominated for decades, with a market share around 90%. Now every Japanese firm is seeing sales shrink. Honda recently closed a plant in Thailand, and Suzuki has exited the market altogether. Meanwhile, BYD’s market share has grown to 5%. A veteran Bangkok car dealer recently told Dunne that he’s getting quotes from Chinese automakers all the time. One offered to deliver a replica of the Ford Territory for $8,000. (The real Ford Territory sells for $32,000 in Thailand.)
In Brazil, the world’s sixth-largest car market, Chinese automakers delivered 175,000 cars in the first half of 2024. Chevy, Jeep and Fiat collectively saw their Brazilian sales shrink by 125,000 over the same period. An exec from a dealer group in Sao Paulo told Dunne that “aggressive pricing and good products” from Chinese brands are paving the way for more growth.
The problem is that, even if the buyers prefer “Western” brands but if the supply is not there, chances are these buyers will lean to which EV makers is available and most especially affordable for them, this is where the Chinese EV brands are great and banking on, plus their cars either EV or Petrol have great design.
