The Chinese are supposed to be bringing low cost ev cars to the uk shortly
The "MG" dealership adjacent to our office went from quiet (under Subaru/MG) to very busy with the MG BEV's. W
They have been here for a while just hiding under other badges. Geely, Volvo, Polestar and now fattening out Lotus.
They take a long term view, hollow out the market to wreck competitors and then take a more dominant position. I do not mean that in a rude way. It is a business and they are organised and plan ahead, shareholders, fashion in politics and "no" be damned. I admire South Korea for what they have achieved in a quite short timeframe but prepare yourself to watch the visible march of China in the BEV game now.
When a disruptive market inflection takes place it is always interesting to see who sets the pace.
Tesla
Geely
GWM (great wall motors)
This weeks Autocar has a number of articles around the new Chinese players appearing - HiPhi
https://global.hiphi.com/hiphi-x being the latest.
I think we are also behind the curve due to RHD in the UK. Most of them go to Norway (charging with hydro etc means a more advanced market) and the EU first.
There will be people who use it to make money (Looking at you Mr Fisker) but don't seem to ship.
Those that take a slow path feeling their brand will carry them (VW?) but have to react, new deal with xpeng this week, given the ID is not selling and the factory is taking a break...
This is from a technical site that watches emerging market stuff
VW-XpengThis is from Forbes
Forbes VW-XpengThe general road tests on the existing xpeng cars seem pretty good. Not what I can say about the ID3 sadly.
May we live in interesting times.
I am just sad that none of the companies involved bring employment in a significant future way to the UK. Very troubling.