Last night, German media released a set of data that sent shockwaves across the entire automotive industry. In Germany, sales of pure electric vehicles (EVs) surprisingly surpassed those of fuel-powered cars last month. EVs sold 70,000 units, while fuel-powered vehicles sold only 67,000 units.

It's important to note that Germany has long been dominant in internal combustion engine technology—Mercedes, BMW, and Audi, all globally renowned brands, hail from Germany. Yet now, in this country with centuries of experience in gasoline-powered vehicles, pure electric new energy vehicles have overtaken traditional fuel cars.

Let’s examine the data more closely: In the first quarter of this year, BMW experienced a global decline of 3.5%, but its drop in the Chinese market was even steeper—over 10%. Audi saw a decline of 12%, while Mercedes suffered an even more severe drop of over 27%.

In the past, purchasing BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi) was seen as a symbol of status. Many people believed imported cars were superior to domestic ones, and driving a foreign brand carried greater prestige. Back then, BBA essentially became the benchmark for anyone with money—once you had wealth, your first thought was usually to buy a BBA car.

But today? The BBA brands are accelerating their decline. However, the domestic auto market remains vibrant. While BBA sales are faltering, people aren’t stopping buying cars—they’re simply shifting elsewhere. The answer is clear: more and more consumers are embracing domestic Chinese brands. In the first quarter of this year, BYD, Zeekr, NIO, and others maintained strong performance.

Especially noteworthy is how many Chinese-made vehicles are now expanding overseas—visible throughout Thailand and various European regions. This is a testament to China’s rapid development in the automotive sector over recent years.

Naturally, the automotive industry is just one example. Look at smartphones: once, high-end devices meant Apple and Samsung—but now Huawei and Xiaomi hold their own. Even in footwear and apparel, where Adidas and Nike once dominated, brands like Anta and Hongxing Erke have grown remarkably strong. With the recent surge in outdoor consumption, people are no longer blindly favoring imports. Data from domestic platform VIP.com shows that sales of domestic outdoor brands such as Kailas, Camel, and Bossini have surged recently.

So fundamentally, this reflects two major shifts: First, Chinese manufacturing has truly improved dramatically over the past few years—it’s no longer what it used to be. Second, an increasing number of young people are gaining confidence, no longer blindly idolizing foreign products, but instead proudly embracing domestic brands!

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862626017752192/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.