The U.S. is set to implement harsh tariffs on Chinese vehicles, and many lawmakers have expressed grave privacy concerns, but those issues haven’t squashed younger buyers’ curiosity. AutoPacific’s recent study found that 35 percent of respondents between 18 and 80 years old said they would consider a Chinese car, and a whopping 76 percent of people under 40 responded that way.
AutoPacific president and chief analyst Ed Kim said, “Social media has simply made the world a lot smaller. It is extremely easy for anyone to see what’s happening in other parts of the world, to see what products are available in other parts of the world.” Chinese cars aren’t currently sold here, but they’re creeping on our borders. BYD will build a factory in Mexico to build its new hybrid pickup, and brands like Volvo and Lotus are owned by Chinese giant Geely.
Even with that positive survey response, potential buyers are still worried about privacy. Around half of them said that they would be concerned if Chinese vehicles came here, and 34 percent said they would be “somewhat concerned.” Across the board, 70 percent of people said they’d have some concerns.
People said that they would be more likely to purchase if the Chinese vehicles were built in the U.S., with 16 percent saying they’d be more willing to look at one. Kim attributed this to buyers’ view that domestic manufacturing makes the cars more American, making a contribution to the economy and paying workers.
[Image: Shutterstock]
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