Not so long ago, we as the editors of AutoŽivě.cz organized the Czech premiere for the “sublabel” of the Chinese Dongfeng, the Voyah brand. And it’s only been a few hours since the ten most interesting cars from of the just ended auto show in Beijing. I won’t stress you out nine of them were Chinese, the tenth (an old Renault 5 EV) was saving the honor of the European continent. But that may not be the main message either. The main news is at what prices the Chinese can make great cars. Like this SUV, for example. Let’s look at it together.
They will make anything in China except iPhones or sneakers. And cars
It’s also interesting how almost all of us are now in awe of how China can produce. How cheaply, and above all how quickly. Unbound by European bureaucratic procedures, without the European Union and its endless restrictions (and a little bit of “sticks under the feet”) and the Chinese are capable of perfectly mastered digital systems churning out new cars and renewing model lines at a speed unheard of by the traditional “car makers” from Europe. And they don’t have much time to wake up from the dream.
Didn’t we know that before? Does Apple make iPhones in America? Doesn’t at least part of your wardrobe come from China? How about a new laptop? So you see. We take a bit of everything for granted it goes without saying that we find “Made in China” on the production label. And is it supposed to shock us with cars? And what about us, the journalists, and you, the readers. I would still understand it there. But with the captains of European automotive? I would have expected a little more information there. Especially if the new cars from China are heading to Europe. Or they are already in it.
Chery already has its own purely European prices
Which is exactly the case with the Chinese manufacturer Chery, which has been serious about Europe for many years. It belongs to the Chinese “top five” (together with Nio, BYD, SAIC and Dongfeng) and leaves nothing to chance – also launched its Omoda sub-brand on the European market, with models aimed at, among others for a really cool design. And clearly aimed at those for whom European production is already a bit “stuck” and boring. And last but not least, dear. Or if someone hasn’t registered essentially endless price increases over the last few years, they probably don’t live in Europe.
andPhoto source: Depositphotos
On our good old continent, it has become a kind of “good European tradition” that the prices increase continuously year after year, and one can’t help but wonder what the traditional producers can say for their traditional products. Then when competition from China appears, there is a sudden explosion. Omoda 5, for example, is already offered in Spain at a completely European price, including all taxes and fees. So not the Chinese price. Nevertheless, it can be a third cheaper than, for example, our Škoda Karoq.
When European competition falters on price
For 685 thousand crowns in conversion, it offers full equipment, including leather upholstery, all digital assistants, advanced voice control or a panoramic roof. And under the hood it has a modern, supercharged one “one six” with a power of 185 hp. With an average consumption of 7.5 liters. In principle, you can buy a very similar Karoq in full equipment (where you will still miss a lot on Omod, for example leather upholstery or a panoramic roof) for 840,000 crowns. With 1.5 TSI with 150 hp. That’s quite a disparity, don’t you think?
In addition, Chery/Omoda do not hide the fact that Spain is the first European destination, quite understandably with regard to shipping. But by no means the last. So it can be reasonably assumed that soon it will be on sale in Germany too. Just as it is included in the price room for a discount, because Chinese car manufacturers in Europe really sell with a noticeable profit. How do you see it, will Europe adapt to Chinese prices, or will it be the other way around? Let us know in the discussion below the article, thank you!
