"You can buy an electric car for $9,000?!"
"Cheaper than my used car?"
"Why are American cars so expensive, and Chinese cars so affordable?"
Recently, a video on TikTok sent shockwaves through American netizens. The protagonist of the video is an affordable Chinese brand pure electric vehicle - BYD Seagull. The ultra-low price of 65,100 yuan has aroused crazy complaints and questions from American netizens.
In the face of doubts from the world's car kingdom, let us bring the "truth" of China's car manufacturing one by one.
Let's turn our focus back to New York's Upper East Side. In this densely populated area, a used car can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars with insurance, gas, and parking. And 65,100 yuan is a small amount for New Yorkers.
In New York, the rent for a 60-square-meter apartment is $1,800, or $60 a day based on 30 days of rent per month. 9,000 US dollars is converted into RMB exactly 65,100 yuan, which is equivalent to the cost of renting an apartment for one year.
What's even more exaggerated is that buying a second-hand Toyota Camry in New York for gasoline and insurance may also cost about 60,000 yuan. It can be said that in the New York area, 65,100 yuan can only buy food and clothing for life, and if you want a higher quality of life, this money is not enough to spend!
So for New Yorkers, buying a car for 65,100 yuan seems to be really worth it. But they never thought about the question: why are our car prices in China so low?
The reason is actually very simple, that is, the supply chain advantage! China's manufacturing industry occupies an important position in the global supply chain, and the domestic production cost of electric vehicle parts is very low. Other factors such as labor costs and management costs are also relatively cheap. Coupled with the high degree of scale and large orders, Chinese enterprises can achieve low-cost production.
Even with the addition of customs duties and freight costs, Chinese electric vehicles are much cheaper overseas than local brands. For example, the Chevrolet Bolt EV sold in China has a starting price of 190,000 yuan, but the configuration is much worse than that of the Seagull.
Because of this, once Chinese brand models enter the U.S. market, their price power and cost-effectiveness will make local brands uncompetitive. This may also be the reason why the United States has not allowed Chinese brands to enter. Because once released, China's electric vehicles will completely subvert the existing market pattern!
Of course, even without this layer of protection, established car companies are reluctant to see Chinese brands enter the United States. After all, those established manufacturers have always been very good at "manipulating the market" and will not easily let cheap competitors enter.
However, this protective approach is not desirable because it deprives consumers of their right to make their own choices. Why can't New Yorkers buy a cost-effective electric car according to their needs and wallet conditions?
Today, climate change and energy issues have become the focus of global attention. When the rest of the world is calling for green and low-carbon travel, how can the United States harm the vital interests of its own people by protecting the interests of its own car companies? As a major consumer in the world, Americans should have more choices.
There is another deep-seated reason why China's electric vehicles are low, that is, the concept positioning of products is different. In the eyes of Chinese car companies, electric vehicles are no longer a luxury, but a civilian tool that provides environmentally friendly travel for most families. Our goal is to promote eco-friendly mobility, not simply to maximize profits.
This philosophy defines our positioning as an electric vehicle. We will not be like some luxury brands, over-pursuing high-end configurations such as power and intelligence in models, thereby raising the price. We want to make the price of pure electric models as close as possible to that of gasoline vehicles, so that we can really achieve universal access.
This may be why electric vehicles in China are so affordable. Our starting point is not to be high in consumerism, but to make green and low-carbon travel truly benefit the general public.
Of course, in order for China's electric vehicles to truly go to overseas markets, our technology and quality must be further improved. We have taken the lead in cost control, product concept, etc.
Now it's time for U.S. automakers to rethink. Will we continue to protect our own interests and avoid competition, or will we have the courage to open up the market and take the initiative to promote environmentally friendly products? In any case, with the advent of the era of electric vehicles and the continuous promotion of China's manufacturing upgrading, this competitive situation in favor of the people has become irreversible.
To keep up with the trend of the times, or to be abandoned by this torrent, it depends on the choice of American car companies. But in any case, the door to the era of electric vehicles has been opened, and more universal and inclusive green mobility products are expected to be available in the near future, truly benefiting all mankind.