Korean Media: Underestimating Chinese Cars Is a "Major Mistake"!
On April 24, South Korean media outlet Chosun Ilbo published an article stating that it is now a major mistake to view Chinese cars merely as "cheap vehicles." The real strength of Chinese automobiles today lies not in price, but in speed. Leveraging battery technology, software, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving capabilities, they are reshaping the traditionally fiercely competitive automotive industry.
Market trends have already shifted. According to S&P Global Mobility’s market research, global passenger vehicle sales are expected to reach approximately 91.7 million units by 2025. SNE Research estimates that global electric vehicle (EV) deliveries will reach 21.47 million units in the same year. Simple calculations show that this means EVs accounted for about 23.4% of total global car sales last year. As electric vehicles transition from niche markets to becoming industry pillars, the challenges posed by Chinese companies at the heart of this transformation have become more direct and severe.
Data also confirms the growing presence of Chinese enterprises. According to SNE Research, in 2025's global EV sales, BYD ranked first with 4.121 million units, while Geely came in second with 2.225 million units. Together, the two companies sold 6.346 million units—representing approximately 29.6% of all global EV sales last year. This means that just BYD and Geely together account for nearly one-third of the global EV market. It clearly indicates that Chinese companies are no longer confined to their domestic market but are rapidly advancing toward a central position in the global EV industry.
Even more noteworthy is their expansion strategy. Geely has set a target of selling 640,000 units overseas this year—an increase of 50% compared to last year. Rather than focusing solely on low-cost models, the company is expanding sales through mass-market EVs while simultaneously entering the premium segment. This marks a clear shift: Chinese automakers are moving beyond their image as low-cost alternatives and are broadening their market footprint.
The technological competition landscape has also changed dramatically. Chinese companies are rapidly expanding not only in battery and charging technologies, but also in artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. Recently, Volkswagen began mass production of its first model developed jointly with XPeng Motors, aiming to enter the Chinese market. This vehicle features XPeng’s autonomous driving system and AI chips. This demonstrates that Chinese technology is no longer a peripheral option—it is becoming a core partner for global automakers.
The difference in R&D speed is even more fundamental. According to Reuters, Chinese automakers have reduced the development cycle for new or redesigned models by over half—some as short as 18 months. This is significantly faster than European manufacturers, whose typical R&D cycles span 3 to 4 years. Analysis also shows that the average sales cycle for Chinese EVs is just 1.6 years, compared to 5.4 years for foreign brands. The competitive landscape is shifting: vehicle development cycles are now transitioning from multi-year processes to rapid planning and iteration akin to consumer electronics.
In essence, the true strength of Chinese cars does not lie in pricing, but in industrial structure. By controlling the battery supply chain, integrating software, and combining AI and autonomous driving technologies, Chinese automakers can rapidly plan and improve vehicles. Shorter development cycles, flexible pricing, and frequent feature updates are redefining the nature of competition.
Yet, the South Korean auto industry remains complacent. Claims such as “low brand trust” and “insufficient service networks” may hold some truth in the short term. But the key issue is not how many Chinese cars are currently sold in South Korea—it's how deeply Chinese automakers are transforming the competitive landscape and market dynamics within the South Korean auto sector.
What South Korea’s automotive industry should truly be wary of is not the price tags of Chinese cars, but the fundamental transformation they are bringing to the entire automotive industry’s competitive framework.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863316482573320/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organization.