Chinese-Made Cars Are Already Here. We’ve Even Tested a Few.
New proposed tariffs are aimed at Chinese-built EVs, but cars made in China are already on sale here. You might even be driving one.
A Polestar 4 at the Polestar factory in Hangzhou Bay, China. Models sold in North America will be built in South Korea.
By Keith Barry
President Joe Biden’s announcement of a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-built EVs may change some automakers’ plans to sell their electric vehicles in the U.S. But you might be surprised to learn that some American and European brands already sell Chinese-built vehicles here and have been doing so for nearly a decade.
The Buick Envision SUV (shown below) was the first mainstream Chinese-built car to be sold in the U.S., followed by the Volvo S90 and Polestar 2. Production of the latest Lincoln Nautilus SUV has shifted from Canada to China, and more new models from Volvo and Polestar are on the way.
CR reached out to these automakers to see how the new tariffs would affect their production plans. Spokespeople from GM, Polestar, and Volvo said they are currently evaluating the changes, and other manufacturers have yet to respond. We will update this article when we learn more. Although the proposed tariffs on Chinese-made EVs won’t directly apply to gas-powered vehicles such as the Envision and Nautilus, increased tariff rates on Chinese steel, semiconductors, lithium-ion batteries, and other vehicle parts may affect the auto industry in other ways.
Even before today’s announcement, Chinese automakers already faced significant barriers to entering the U.S. market. Politicians from both parties have accused the Chinese government of illegally subsidizing its automotive industry, using forced labor to manufacture car parts, and stealing intellectual property. All cars made in China and sold in the U.S. are already subject to a 27.5 percent tariff, and there are bipartisan efforts to ban the import of Chinese-made vehicles altogether. EVs with batteries made in China aren’t eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, either.
The 2024 Buick Envision is built in China.
Photo: Buick
Aside from trade policy, those who remember the headlines Chinese automakers made for disastrous crash tests when they began exporting vehicles to Europe over a decade ago might already be wary of a vehicle with a “Made in China” label. But much has changed since those early days.
Chinese-made EVs like the BYD Atto 3 (shown below), MG4, and XPeng G9 are gaining in popularity globally for their cutting-edge technology and low prices. In 2024, they are expected to make up a quarter of all EV sales in Europe, according to the European Federation for Transport and Environment.
BYD, a Shenzhen-based automaker, is building a factory in Mexico, where its stylish Dolphin electric hatchback with a range of about 250 miles sells for the equivalent of $23,600. The small BYD Seagull EV sells for about $11,000 in China and is becoming popular in other markets as well.
“When it comes to performance and reliability, where a car is built really matters less than how it’s designed and manufactured,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “Our reliability data has shown this to be true for years.”
For example, our testing and reliability data show that the Chinese-built Envision is one of the better small SUVs in its class. The Polestar 2 EV is also made in China, but it sits at the bottom of our ratings. Many Honda and Toyota models built in the U.S. have excellent reliability, while some U.S.-built Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models have below-average reliability.
“Some automakers simply are better at setting up new plants and incorporating production methods that eliminate potential problems,” Fisher says, adding that Toyota is well-known for processes that prevent mistakes on the assembly line, while other brands leave more up to the skills and experience of the workers.
An MG S9 EV at the 2024 Geneva International Motor Show. Although MG was founded in the U.K., the brand now belongs to Shanghai-based SAIC.
Photo: Keith Barry/Consumer Reports
At this point, CR hasn’t seen a difference between the Chinese-made vehicles already sold in the U.S. and vehicles from the same brands made in Europe, Japan, or North America, says Alex Knizek, associate director for auto test development at CR.
“From a build quality perspective, I’ve never noticed anything abnormal or different based on where a vehicle is assembled. I wouldn’t be able to tell you without looking it up or checking the sticker,” Knizek says.
If cars from Chinese brands are ever sold here, they would have to meet U.S. safety standards, just as Chinese cars sold in Europe must meet stringent European crash test standards. Knizek says it’s likely automakers would adapt their vehicles to fit the preferences of American consumers as well.
The interior of an L6 sedan from IM Motors, a joint venture between Alibaba and SAIC. IM claims a range over 600 miles, thanks to solid state batteries.
Photo: Keith Barry/Consumer Reports
While a car’s provenance does not predict its quality, CR experts say that there is often a correlation between an automaker’s experience and the reliability of the cars it produces. We’ve found that new manufacturers—including Fisker, Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla—face an uphill battle when it comes to reliability. “Our data has shown time and time again that car manufacturers that are new to building cars have had many problems,” Fisher says. “Some Chinese automakers have long histories working with established brands such as Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, and GM. That may give them an advantage. But a new brand building in a new plant is likely not a recipe for success.”
“Current import restrictions mean that if we do see Chinese brands, they may be built in Mexico to help avoid tariffs,” Fisher says. “Only time will tell if the Chinese production methods will translate well in those new plants.”
A BYD Atto 3 in a parking garage in Switzerland.
Photo: Keith Barry/Consumer Reports
Which New Cars Are Made in China Today?
Many major automakers have factories in China, but the cars they build there are rarely sold in the U.S. These are the few that are.
How Can You Find Out Where a Car Was Made?
The easiest way is to check the driver’s-side doorjamb, where the manufacturer will state in plain English where a vehicle’s final assembly took place.
If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, the top right of the window sticker found on every new car shows where a car was built. It may also show what percentage of the vehicle contains U.S. and Canadian parts, the source of the majority of foreign parts, and the country of origin for the engine and transmission.
This plate, found on the driver's-side doorjamb, shows a Chevy Trax that was built in Korea.
Photo: Keith Barry/Consumer Reports
You can also look at the first two characters of the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN), found where the windshield meets the dash in front of the driver. It’s also printed on the car’s title document and registration. Most dealer websites and online car marketplaces list a VIN as well. The first two characters of the VIN are called a World Manufacturer Identifier and show where final assembly took place.
These are World Manufacturer Identifiers for countries where U.S.-bound vehicles are commonly exported from:
1, 4, 5, 7F through 7Z, and 70: U.S.
2: Canada
3: Mexico
9A through 9E and 93 through 99: Brazil
AA through AH: South Africa
J: Japan
KL through KR: South Korea
L: China
MA through ME and MY through M0: India
ML through MR: Thailand
SA through SM: United Kingdom
TJ through TP: Czech Republic
TR through TV: Hungary
U5 through U7: Slovakia
VA through VE: Austria
VF through VR: France
VS through VW: Spain
W: Germany
YA through YE: Belgium
YS through YW: Sweden
YF through YK: Finland
XL through XR: The Netherlands
ZA through ZU: Italy
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