German media: Chinese cars have come and stayed in the German market, and the quality of Chinese cars has improved significantly

German newspaper Le Monde article on December 28, original title: Chinese automakers come to Germany and stay here

Chinese car companies that were once in the sand of the German market are now back and have learned from their past mistakes.

With "attractive prices" and "more decorations", Japanese and Korean car companies established themselves in the German automotive market in the 1970s and 1990s, respectively. However, similar attempts by Chinese car companies in the early 2000s have been tragically waterloo. Nowadays, there are more and more Chinese cars in the European market. More Chinese car brands will enter Germany in 2022.

"[Chinese car companies] are following a step-by-step strategy with long-term goals." Professor Dudenhof, an automotive expert, said: "In 2022, Chinese success in Germany will not grow into a 'towering tree', but it will be an important year of strategic significance and reputation. With its more attractive electric vehicles and intelligent sales model, Chinese car companies are expected to "gain a foothold" in Germany this time.

In retrospect, the first attempts by Chinese car companies in the early 2000s seem very clumsy. The double-ring car brought the model "CEO" to Germany, but after driving tens of thousands of kilometers, the sheet metal skin appeared a gap; landwind and Brilliance auto crash tests at the German ADC failed.

Since then, the quality of Chinese cars has improved significantly. Through the technology transfer of the joint venture, Chinese manufacturers have learned a lot. Many models for the global market have begun to be developed in China. Some Chinese manufacturers have set up R&D and design centers in countries such as Germany.

In addition to using European technology, Some Chinese manufacturers also buy European brands. Geely Group obtained the ticket to the European market through the acquisition of Swedish car company Volvo, and jointly created the Polar Star brand, which will also use the "Smart" brand spun off from Daimler in the future, while its sub-brand Lynk & Co has pure Chinese characteristics. This year, SAIC Motor, which ranked 60th among the world's top 500 companies, entered Europe a few years earlier than Geely in the name of European brands. Next year, Great Wall Motors will definitely rely on its two sub-brands of "Euler" and "WEY" to compete in Germany.

Chinese electric vehicle maker NIO has opened stores in Norway this year and will expand significantly into the German market next year. Roc also made Norway the first stop on its European adventure that began in 2020. ▲(By Mario Homan, translated by Aoki)