Chinese electric cars are heading to the West: used cars, possible local production and budget models

Chinese car brands are increasingly looking for a way into Western markets, and are doing so in several ways at once. Some are selling used electric cars, which are not subject to the additional duties on new BEVs or the quota on hybrids. Others are considering assembling cars locally, and a third group is preparing more affordable models for Canada. Import conditions in Armenia differ from European and Canadian ones, so figures from those regions cannot be directly transferred to our market. But they clearly show how Chinese manufacturers respond to trade barriers and how the price picture in the electric vehicle segment is changing.

Demand for used Chinese electric cars is growing

According to China EV Marketplace (CEVM), sales of used cars to buyers in the European Union rose 280% year on year and reached 7,900 units for September. The company's website currently lists more than 2,600 used Chinese-made electric cars, including BYD, Geely and Zeekr models. The range is updated almost every day. According to the company, the average price of such cars is about 40% below the manufacturer's original recommended retail price.

According to Jakub Hersha, COO of CEVM, tariffs have already weakened demand for new Chinese BEVs among European customers, and the restriction on hybrid imports is expected to put pressure on sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) as well. Used cars are not subject to the additional BEV tariffs or the new PHEV quota, so the company is betting on them. He also noted that falling prices for new cars are pulling down used prices too. According to him, the team in Shanghai regularly finds cars with mileage of around 6,000 km that are sold at 40% below their original Chinese retail price.

Electrek links this price decline to several factors: rapid technological progress, a flow of new and updated electric cars from Chinese brands, and the fact that on China's domestic market the novelty of a car is valued very highly. The same source notes that the rise in the cost of new cars due to the conflict around Iran further strengthens the advantage of Chinese electric cars over Western brands, which, in the publication's view, are lagging in technology and facing availability problems. The Electrek author believes that legislation is failing to keep up with the market, and that drivers who switch to electric cars rarely go back to petrol or diesel. This is his assessment, not research data.

Chery is considering production in Canada

According to CnEVPost, Chery is studying idle capacity at existing plants and looking for partners among potential investors. This concerns possible local production in Canada. The company also plans to begin sales in that country in 2027. If production in Canada goes ahead, the cars could be assembled on site rather than shipped from China, but for now this is at the evaluation stage.

Kia is preparing the budget EV3 electric car for Canada

InsideEVs reports that Kia intends to enter the Canadian market with affordable electric cars and compete with Chinese brands using the EV3. It is an electric hatchback priced below 40,000 dollars. The publication raises the question of whether this model can compete with Chinese offers. The answer remains open, as the article contains no details on specifications or prices.

What this means for buyers in Armenia

The general conclusion from this news is simple: Chinese brands are looking for ways to make electric cars more affordable, while competitors respond with their own budget models and new markets. For buyers, it is important to compare not only the showroom price but also import terms, warranty, availability of spare parts and service. At HS Motors we help choose new and hybrid cars from Chinese brands, and we are happy to tell you which models are currently available to order and what to look out for when buying.