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The REAL REASON Chinese Cars Are So Cheap In UK!

Roy Stroud

26,829 views

0:00 Why Chinese cars are so cheap
2:10 Automation instead of low wages
3:52 Britain’s tariff advantage
7:24 The integrated Chinese car supply chain
9:49 Why Chinese batteries cost less
12:35 State support and dealer expansion
15:39 Factory overcapacity and the price war
18:39 Buying market share and the risks for buyers

Why are Chinese cars so cheap in Britain — and is the answer really low wages? I break down the seven reasons behind the price, from factory automation and battery costs to tariffs, state support and excess production capacity.

I use Shaun’s MG 3 hybrid, Aisha’s BYD Dolphin Surf and real workshop experience to show how these cars compare with familiar rivals such as the Toyota Yaris, Renault 5 and Kia Sportage. I also explain why Chinese brands can still be cheaper after shipping, import duty and dealer costs.

I finish with the risks buyers need to consider, including resale values, parts, software niggles and dealer support, before setting out three checks to make before buying a Chinese car in Britain.

11 Comments

@EddyIwaniak 4 days ago

As Roy Stroud got a voice, I’ve heard his voice on many different videos, is this another A1 performance.

@graemeglass7566 4 days ago

Take a look at the Bill of Material for a car and for a similar style and power train. I bet it isn't that much different for a Ford vs an Audi vs a Jaguar. So called "Premium brands have been skinning us for decades. Lining their pockets and having extravagant showrooms and even tourist cathedrals that show off decades of their products. The added option model where customers have to pay through the nose for some pretty basic add-ons is another money making scam. Chinese cars come fully loaded apart from paint colour. So the production line is simple and dedicated for each model. The Bill of Material is standard and so purchase orders are predictable for Just in Time inventory processing. Bring it on China!! Let's get back to value for money!

@markestherchia5095 2 days ago

GEELY holds the Guinness book of world record for making an engine
400 mpg

They are also leading in ICE cars

@rollovaughan 4 days ago (edited)

I’m waiting for a Chinese panel van. The electric Vito and Transporter are too expensive for a sole trader subcontractor on 2003 day rate and 20% CIS deduction.
I must suffer my euro 6 with 214k miles with DPF issues, worn out ball joints, rattling drop links, random codes and over £2 a litre on the forecourt.

I’m praying to the automotive gods for Chinese van soon. I really don’t need heated seats but apple play that works will be appreciated.

@nigbiker2592 4 days ago

People earning less than say £35K may be best advised to buy good, used petrol cars that are reliable and cheap to run. Much less depreciation and parts readily available - every local mechanic can fix. Sinking so much into a new car and worse into an electric car of any brand or origin makes no sense at all to me.

@mishalchotai4721 4 days ago

I have a new MG HS PHEV 76 plate on my drive 😂... love it

@davidthompson2838 4 days ago

Robot count? Isn't China bigger than UK?

@arnoldmooney3198 3 days ago

Too many videos Roy!

@khanhchan5234 2 days ago

the most bias and disinformation of Chinese government subsidy for EV car.once Chinese government go EV they did these things (in China if you want buy a new car(petrol or diesel) you have to obtain the number plate first and so many people want to buy a limit number plate so have to put your name for a draw. while you just go to the shop get an EV straight away, second the government told the car maker you just make the car the government build the charge station, ( so it subsidy for the EV car not for the CHINESE car! Tesla car had all the benefit like another Chinese made, (only the German car still thinking ICE and Japanese think of hydrogen car. that is the reason German and Japanese one step behind.( but a lot of people don't know there are joint venture of German car with BYD)( another thing people say Chinese car look alike Audi, BMW, Mercedes etc.... they copy , but the fact is the designer are those used to work for Audi, BMW etc... now they work for Chinese car maker.)

@RonaldShakespeare-tk7jx 4 days ago

Chinese companies don’t pay their workers and owe billions to their suppliers. No EV owner saves money. Pay what isn’t cheap price as they are 3 times more expensive than in China, after 3 years they have lost 50+ % in depreciation. Tell the facts and don’t lie about what people have told you.