5 Chinese luxury cars that US consumers can’t get in 2024

This article will soon be exclusive to Jing Daily Pro* subscribers, with a membership that accesses our most focused, insightful coverage yet. Pre-register for a free trial, coming this summer. Vehicles manufactured in China are finding their way onto US roads despite Chinese car brands being absent from the world’s largest economy. Last year alone, Americans purchased 104,000 China-made cars from non-Chinese brands, and some 28,000 in Q1 2024. That’s despite strict regulations on China-made car parts, and punitive tariffs on Chinese imports – US President Joe Biden increased the rate for Chinese EVs to 100% from 25% in May this year. Having overtaken the US as the world's largest car market in 2010, China offers a plethora of high-end automotive options. Yet, luxurious and innovative models from Chinese brands remain unattainable for American consumers. Here are some of the most intriguing and coveted. 1. BYD YangWang U9 BYD has announced that its highly anticipated YangWang U9 supercar is now in production and will begin delivery next month. Priced at 1.68 million RMB ($232,000), the YangWang U9 boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 2.36 seconds. Already known as a “dancing supercar,” the YangWang U9 is equipped with the DiSus-X suspension and stabilization system, allowing it to drive on three wheels, jump, and perform dance-like movements. 2. Hongqi E-HS9 The E-HS9 is an electric full-size luxury SUV from Hongqi that debuted at the 2024 Goodwood Festival. Resembling a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but costing over $250,000 less at between $80,000 to $110,000, it has garnered attention for its luxury and affordability. “This is a full-size electric luxury SUV. It reminds me of Lincoln and Rolls-Royce, like a combination of both,” esteemed auto YouTuber Supercar Blondie remarked in a video. One of Hongqi’s flagship products, this electric luxury vehicle is already available in the Chinese market. 3. Geely Radar RD6 Geely is set to launch an electric truck that could challenge Tesla’s viral Cybertruck, in the second half of 2024. The four-wheel drive (4WD) version of its Radar RD6, capable of handling extremely heavy loads, promises to be a standout. Geely, which owns majority stakes in Volvo and Lotus, initially launched the RD6 as a rear-wheel drive truck in November 2022. This new 4WD version marks a major advancement for Geely, aligning with its ambitious plans to compete with Tesla. While the original RD6 could tow 2.5 tons, the new 4WD version increases this capacity to 3 tons. 4. Nio ET9 Nio aims to rival Mercedes-Maybach with its new luxury electric flagship, the ET9 which was launched in December 2023. This dual-motor, four-wheel drive vehicle serves as a technological showcase for Nio’s electric platform and drivetrain, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, luxury, space, and safety in production electric cars, according to CEO William Li. Described by Li as a “landjet,” a term Audi first used for a futuristic electric concept in 2020, the ET9 blends the design of a traditional saloon with a modern SUV. It features wheels up to 23 inches in diameter and offers up to 200mm of ground clearance. 5. Geely’s AI-powered drift car China has introduced a pioneering AI-driven autonomous drifting car. Prominent Chinese EV manufacturer Geely Auto recently demonstrated a major breakthrough in autonomous driving technology. In a Weibo video, Geely showcased the world’s first AI-powered driverless car performing precise drifting maneuvers on snow and ice, signaling a significant leap forward in automotive innovation. This achievement spotlights Geely’s advanced AI digital chassis technology, emphasizing the company’s skill in merging artificial intelligence with digital chassis and intelligent driving systems.

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5 Chinese luxury cars that US consumers can’t get in 2024