Auto China 2024: Chinese cars shake up the West

Auto China 2024 les nouvelles voitures chinoises ont de quoi faire frémir l’Occident

In this age of the automobile, the Chinese industry is taking off with a panoply of new products. electric cars that are emerging on the world market. These vehicles, which were once considered to be followers, are now making their mark as strong competitorsready to rival the established giants of the automotive industry.

To put this into context, China's electric vehicle sector has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years, with a global market share of 69 % in December 2023 and no less than 129 brands of electric vehicles. Chinese carmakers are now going global, and they are considered to be the most competitive in the world, according to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla

And the figures prove it: in the first quarter of 2024, the car production in China rose by 6.4 1Q3 while sales up 10.6 1Q3 compared with the previous year. According to the Chinese Automobile Association, overall vehicle sales in China are expected to break the 31 million units by 2024with a expected increase of more than 3 %.

That said, every 2 years since 1990, a car show has been held in China to showcase the latest models. technological advances and recent trends in the automotive industry. This year, this major event in the automotive sector took place from 25 April to 4 May 2024. The show in question, calledAuto China"We're pleased to unveil a number of new vehicle models, and much more besides. The models on show are mainly electric, and a considerable number of them are due to make their European debut in the near future.

But what makes these new Chinese cars so formidable for Western players? 

In this article, we'll take a look at the motor show and explore the new brands, the latest models and the latest innovations. technological advancesthe innovative design as well as commercial strategies that are propelling these Chinese cars to the forefront of the world stage.

Table of contents

Find your future electric vehicle or charging point

BMW iX2 eDrive20

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Range (WLTP) : 517 km

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473 €

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Mini Countryman E

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Range (WLTP) : 462 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 8.6 sec

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Mercedes eSprinter Van 35 kWh

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Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 26 min

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Citroën ë-Berlingo Van 50 kWh

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Range (WLTP) : 275 km

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Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 26 min

Hyundai Inster Standard Range

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25 000 €

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298 €

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Range (WLTP) : 300 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 11.7 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 29 min

Opel Frontera 44 kWh

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29 000 €

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491 €

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Range (WLTP) : 305 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12.1 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

Alpine A290 Electric 180 hp

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630 €

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Fiat Grande Panda 44 kWh

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Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

BMW i5 Touring eDrive40

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890 €

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Range (WLTP) : 560 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 6.1 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 26 min

Tesla Model 3 Long Range Powertrain

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44 990 €

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587 €

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Range (WLTP) : 702 km

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Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 20 min

Mercedes EQE 300

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69 900 €

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Range (WLTP) : 647 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.3 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 33 min

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607 €

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Range (WLTP) : 483 km

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Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

Renault 4 E-Tech 40kWh 120hp

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29 990 €

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448 €

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Range (WLTP) : 322 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 9.2 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

Citroën ë-C4 54 kWh

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35 800 €

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Range (WLTP) : 415 km

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Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 29 min

Volvo EX30 Single Motor ER

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43 300 €

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436 €

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Range (WLTP) : 480 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 5.3 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 28 min

Volkswagen iD.3 Pro S

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42 990 €

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Range (WLTP) : 549 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.9 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 30 minutes

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What is the Beijing Motor Show all about?

The renowned motor show Auto Chinaalso known as Beijing International Automotive Exhibitionis a highly influential player in the sector. After a 4-year pause due to the pandemicThe Beijing Motor Show made a comeback, showcasing Chinese brands that are now outperforming their foreign rivals in the transition to electric vehicles.

For its 18th editionUnder the slogan " A new era, a new car ". This event is held regularly at Shanghai and at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) in Beijingattracting professionals from all over the world. Various players exhibit their products and services, attracting a wide range of audiences, from industry leaders to car enthusiasts, such as :

  • equipment manufacturers,
  • service providers,
  • technology companies,
  • and car manufacturers.

This year, the statistics are breathtaking:

  • 41 concept cars,
  • 120 new models,
  • 1500 exhibitors on 230,000 m²,
  • 278 new energy models on display,
  • and 117 new models unveiled as world premieres.

 

💡Did you know ? Elon Musk discreetly went to China before the show to persuade the Chinese authorities to grant him access to data from Tesla's Chinese fleet in order to perfect his Driver Assistance System (DAS) in the United States.

Chinese electric cars on show at Auto China 2024

At Auto China 2024, the automotive world witnessed an electric revolution, with a dazzling display of the latest innovations from Chinese manufacturers. These electric vehicles embody the boldness and determination of the Chinese automotive industry to compete on the world stage. From impressive modelswith cutting-edge technologiesThe models on display captured the attention of visitors, offering a glimpse of what the future holds in terms of sustainable mobility and electric performance. Here are the models that attracted the most attention.

Xiaomi - SU7

xiaomi su7

At this year's Beijing Motor Show, Xiaomi's SU7 stands out from all the other models, sporting a design reminiscent of a German luxury sports cara strong reminder of the Porsche Taycan. The launch of the electric saloon The launch of the Xiaomi SU7 at the end of March immediately attracted attention, even on an international scale. Intense demand for the model even led the manufacturer to call an emergency meeting with suppliers to reassess agreed volumes.

What's more, almost 76,000 pre-orders taken in less than a month after the launch of the SU7. During the show, Lei Jun also announced that his company had delivered around 6,000 units in just 28 days after its launch.

While this is a fine performance, it is still insufficient to meet demand. Despite this, Lei Jun expects delivery capacity of 10,000 vehicles per month from June onwards. This delivery target would be "a record for an electric vehicle start-up".

For a full description of this electric vehicle and all its features, please see our article Xiaomi SU7: the Chinese operator's first electric car.

Fang Cheng Bao - Super 9

Fang Cheng Baoa prestigious BYD's top-of-the-range affiliated brandis distinguished by its premium models for the Chinese market.

In fact, among the vast range of brands of the Chinese automotive giant BYD, Fang Cheng Bao occupies a special place. intermediate position between YangWang and Denza. Although this brand currently offers only one model, the Leopard 5 SUVis apparently aiming to take things to the next level with the introduction of a flagship model, as well as another plug-in hybrid SUV, the Bao 8.

That being said, although the brand initially focused its first models on large SUVs, it has now revealed a new generation of SUVs. roadster or speedster sports car named Super 9 during this spectacular event.

This electric car has a bold design, including :

  • the absence of a windscreen,
  • distinctive LED headlights,
  • competition-inspired steering wheel,
  • and wheels with a central locking system,
  • curved bumpers with imposing air intakes,
  • cameras replacing conventional exterior mirrors,
  • and seats separated by a carbon fibre monocoque structure.

The announcement of this concept was no explanations in terms of technical specifications. However, we can imagine a high-performance electric motor and a large battery under the long bonnet. Although it's still just a concept, a production version is being prepared under the name of Bao 9.

MG - EXE181

MG - EXE181

The wait is still on for the European version of the Cyberster convertible, which is supposed to improve the brand's image on the European market, MG surprised everyone at the Beijing 2024 Motor Show by unveiling a impressive concept carwith all the hallmarks of an electric supercar.

Named "EXE181"It takes its name from the EX 181, an MG designed for speed records in 1959. This car reached an impressive speed of around 410 km/h thanks to a 300 bhp engine.

Although MG is not revealing any images of the concept car's interior, it has been confirmed that the driver's seat takes up all the space in the interiorIt's the only one, and it's in the centre of the cockpit. But that's not all: this futuristic electric vehicle also features :

  • 4 electric motors,
  • a yoke steering wheel,
  • an integrated touch screen for access to a range of functions.

Unlike its combustion-powered predecessor, the new supercar is equipped with an electric powertrain, the power of which remains unknown. With a drag coefficient limited to 0.18It is perfectly profiled for very high speeds and could reach 100 km/h in under 2 seconds.

Wuling - Bingo More

Wuling - Bingo Plus

Wuling Motors officially unveiled the Bingo Plushis new Electric SUV compact. Scheduled for launch in the first half of this year on the Chinese market, which will compete directly with the BYD DolphinAlthough smaller, this vehicle is undoubtedly the most affordable at the show. In fact, it could go on sale for less than 100,000 yuan, or around 13 000 €.

According to the information provided, the electric motor at the front delivers a 75 kW power and offers a maximum torque of 180 Nm. What's more, its battery has a capacity of 50.6 kWhwith a autonomy expected to exceed 400 km.

The forthcoming launch of the Wuling Bingo Plus illustrates Wuling Motors' commitment to offering quality, affordable electric cars. This new model could appeal to fans of compact, economical cars.

Summary table of Chinese electric cars presented at Auto China 2024

Brand Model Type Key features Estimated price
Xiaomi SU7 Electric saloon - Range: 668 km (CTLC cycle)
- Engine: 220 kW (299 bhp)
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 5.28 s
- Battery: 73.6 kWh
From €13,000
Fang Cheng Bao Super 9 Electric roadster - Bold design without a windscreen
- LED headlights, racing-inspired steering wheel
- Carbon fibre monocoque structure
- Technical details not yet specified
Not specified
MG EXE181 Electric supercar concept - 4 electric motors
- Central driver's seat
- Maximum speed: up to 410 km/h (historical)
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in less than 2 s (forecasts)
Not specified
Wuling Bingo Plus Compact electric SUV - Range: >400 km
- Engine: 75 kW (100 bhp)
- Maximum torque: 180 Nm
- Battery: 50.6 kWh
<100,000 yuan (~€13,000)

Are Chinese manufacturers starting to overshadow Europeans?

Rightly so, the Western countries are concerned about the rapid growth in Chinese production of electric vehiclesThey fear for the future of their own car manufacturers.

The price war

This event is taking place in a highly competitive environment characterised by excess capacity and falling prices over the past year.

For example, Li Autobased in Beijing, has reduced the price of its vehicles by up to 30,000 yuan (around €4,000), in response to Tesla's decision to reduce prices in China by 14,000 yuan.

So, according to Chinese electric car manufacturers, it was Tesla that started the price competition, leading all the others to follow.

Beijing has dismissed foreign concerns about overcapacity in China, claiming that the success of its electric car industry is the result of the country's "strong economic growth".innovation and strong supply chainsrather than through subsidies.

Nevertheless, the Chinese government has supported its manufacturers by offering purchase incentives to stimulate the market and promote clean vehicleswith subsidies phased out by the end of 2022.

The EU launched an investigation into these subsidies last year, alleging that they had given Chinese companies an unfair advantage in their domestic market.

On the BYD stand at the show, a representative said that the the period of falling prices is overand that, in his opinion, it is prices are unlikely to fall further. At the same time, BYD has decided to start building its electric car factory in Hungarybecoming the China's leading manufacturer of passenger cars in Europe. But that's not all: the Chinese state-owned company Chery recently concluded a Agreement to manufacture electric cars in Spain.

Actions taken by European manufacturers

For European companies seeking to compete on the Chinese market, this now represents a major challenge, but also a major challenge. China now represents a a major player in the automotive industry.

The Western giants are competing with local newcomers such as BYD and Nio. It would even appear that Volkswagen and Stellantis admit they are behind schedule and believe that the best strategy for taking the lead is to ally with these Chinese players.

And so, Volkswagen recently unveiled a strategic plan aimed at boosting its sales in China, which represent 40% of its worldwide sales. Having lost its leadership position in China last year to BYD, itself having beaten Tesla in the 4ᵉ quarter of 2023, the German giant plans :

  • the launch of a electric car at €20,000 in this market,
  • and 40% savings on production costs of electric vehicles in China by 2026.

As we have seen, China's presence in the automotive market is only just beginning. This is reflected in the fact that even the Chinese Car Manufacturers Association admits that it does not know the exact number of vehicle brands present in the country.

Conclusion

The Auto China 2024 show provided an opportunity to discover a new generation of Chinese cars that have the potential to make Western manufacturers tremble. More sophisticated, more innovative and more affordable than ever, these models have the potential to appeal to a wide audience across the blog.

In conclusion, the arrival of Chinese cars is a major trend that will shake up the automotive landscape. It's too early to say whether they will succeed in supplanting the Western manufacturers, but one thing is certain: they have enough to make them shudder.

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Picture of Maëlle Laurent
Maëlle Laurent

Committed to sustainable mobility, a sector that is revolutionising the way we travel, I contribute to the energy transition through my articles.

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