Millennials are ready to go all in on Chinese cars, despite privacy concerns

millennials are ready to go all in on chinese cars, despite privacy concerns

Chinese automakers are expanding across Europe, South America, and Asia. But the United States’ tariffs have kept them at bay — for now.

Chinese automakers are expanding across Europe, South America, and Asia. But the United States’ tariffs have kept them at bay — for now.

Despite the White House and Congress’ best efforts, younger Americans are ready and willing to buy Chinese cars. Well, as soon as they’re up for sale in the United States.

Seventy-six percent of Americans under 40 years old would consider purchasing a Chinese brand vehicle, according to a new report from research firm AutoPacific that surveyed 800 U.S. respondents. Conversely, Just 26% of Americans over the age of 60 would consider buying a Chinese car.

Overall, AutoPacific found that 35% of American adults between 18 and 80 years old would consider purchasing a Chinese vehicle.

“A surprising number of American consumers are familiar with Chinese car brands even though none are sold here currently,” Ed Kim, the president and chief analyst at AutoPacific, said in a statement. “This is especially true among savvy Millennials and Gen Z, who would be the most likely to consider acquiring a vehicle from a Chinese brand.”

Although Chinese cars aren’t currently sold in the U.S. — with the exception of Polestar, a Sweden-based luxury electric vehicle brand that is owned by China’s Geely — concerns over the country’s dominance in the global auto market has emerged as a major topic for debate in the U.S.

President Joe Biden earlier this month said tariffs on some EV imports will quadruple from 25% to 100% to prevent Chinese automakers from flooding the market with cheap cars. The United States Trade Representative on Wednesday said those tariffs will take effect on August 1, setting the stage for a potential trade war.

China’s Commerce Ministry has said the tariffs will “seriously impact the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation” and threatened to “take resolute measures to defend its rights and interests.

The U.S. Department of Commerce in February announced an investigation into Chinese-made smart cars, noting that EVs and autonomous vehicles collect massive amounts of data.

About 44% of all respondents said they would be very concerned about their privacy if Chinese cars were sold in the U.S., with another 34% saying they would be somewhat concerned, according to AutoPacific. But that won’t stop Americans under 40 from considering buying one of those vehicles, despite 73% saying they would be concerned about their privacy.

“Privacy concerns about Chinese-brand vehicles are likely to eventually subside given that most of the connected smartphones, smart watches, laptops, connected home devices we are comfortable using every day are in fact manufactured in China,” Kim said.

Chinese cars — especially EVs — have a major leg up on Western competitors. Many Chinese automakers — thanks to a combination of cheap manufacturing and state subsidies — are able to sell their cars for dirt-cheap.

BYD, for example, sells the Seagull hatchback car for less than $10,000. China is also home to the cheapest electric car in the world, the roughly $1,000 Changli Freeman. Chinese cars also come with impressive technology and features that consumers demand, from better driver assistance tech to free fridges and portable rooms.

“Younger generations of shoppers are clearly aware of the enticing products Chinese automakers are cooking up overseas,” Robby DeGraff, AutoPacific’s manager of product and consumer insights, said in a statement. “It’s only a matter of ‘when’ they’ll be able to get their hands on them.”

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

OTHER NEWS

18 minutes ago

Bill Simmons' Horrible Take On Celtics Drafting Jaylen Brown Resurfaces

21 minutes ago

Trump spiritual advisor says he asked her what God thought about presidential run

21 minutes ago

Three HUGE changes to the Orlando Pirates coaching staff

28 minutes ago

Biden-Trump debate's a rematch, but will muted mics and other new rules make a difference?

31 minutes ago

Tabraiz Shamsi hits out at ‘ridiculous’ Proteas T20 World Cup critics

31 minutes ago

Nigel Farage doubles down on claim that West 'provoked' Putin

31 minutes ago

25/1 cross-match RequestABet on offer for tonight's Euro 2024 fixtures - as Spain take on Albania and Croatia battle Italy in Group B

34 minutes ago

Up 275% in 10 years — is this one of the best tech investments on the stock market?

34 minutes ago

60 Polished Outfits Under $35 On Amazon That Are Super Comfy

34 minutes ago

NASCAR Cup Series playoffs bubble watch: Where the field sits after Loudon

34 minutes ago

Texas man who spent 20 years on death row is exonerated

34 minutes ago

Gareth Southgate decides to drop England star for final Euro 2024 group game

34 minutes ago

Contents of south Dublin convent go under the hammer for €100,000

34 minutes ago

Titans remain unsettled on right side of offensive line

34 minutes ago

How a Cyberattack Took 15,000 Car Dealers Offline

34 minutes ago

Iran and Bahrain agree to start ties resumption talks

34 minutes ago

Bills Tight End 'A Feared Mismatch' Headed Into Year 2

35 minutes ago

Major street closures for NASCAR Chicago street race go into effect this week

35 minutes ago

Suspect sought after 1 injured in Naperville shooting, police say

35 minutes ago

Bitcoin tumbles back to $60,000 to start the week

35 minutes ago

Princess Anne hospitalized with minor injuries and a concussion after ‘incident' on her estate

35 minutes ago

Experts say Gaza is at 'high risk' of famine despite increased aid to the north

35 minutes ago

David Beckham visits Sven-Goran Eriksson’s home in Sweden with ‘six litres of wine’

35 minutes ago

Holly Willoughby ‘obsessed’ security guard bought restraint kit to abduct, rape and murder her, court told

35 minutes ago

House of the Dragon finally solves the mystery of Daeron Targaryen’s absence

39 minutes ago

CNN’s Kasie Hunt Ends Interview With Trump Spokeswoman After She Rails Against Debate Moderators Jake Tapper And Dana Bash

41 minutes ago

Video: A shocking lack of dignity: Inside A&E unit in the grips of NHS' 'year-round' care crisis - as footage shows elderly patient forced to urinate in the corridor, while others cry out in agony in four-hour ambulance queues

41 minutes ago

Video: Range Rover-driving couple in mask and keffiyeh is arrested at gunpoint before cops make startling discovery in their backseat as pro-Palestine mob runs wild through LA's Jewish suburb

42 minutes ago

Lando Norris rues costly bad start as Max Verstappen wins Spanish Grand Prix

42 minutes ago

Princess Anne sustains minor injuries and concussion in an 'incident,' Buckingham Palace says

42 minutes ago

Star Wars' Force Storm: Palpatine's Deadliest Sith Power, Explained

42 minutes ago

Car dealerships in North America revert to pens and paper after cyberattacks on software provider

42 minutes ago

Sources: NBA exec. Troy Weaver joining Wizards' front office

42 minutes ago

Not ruled out – Mum Judy furious at ‘leak’ on Andy Murray’s Wimbledon withdrawal

42 minutes ago

The best Myprotein deals to shop this week

42 minutes ago

This simple air fryer cake recipe will start you on a new baking journey

42 minutes ago

Justin Timberlake was arrested after anonymous tip-off from within hotel

42 minutes ago

Czech forward Schick to miss Turkey game - report

42 minutes ago

Extra security as Ronaldo's Portugal face Georgia

42 minutes ago

Consumer financial disputes’ claim limit to be raised to $150,000 in July