Chinese-Made Cars Are Already Here. We’ve Even Tested a Few.

The Buick Envision SUV (shown below) was the first mainstream Chinese-built car to be sold in the U.S., followed by the Volvo S90 and Polestar 2. Production of the latest Lincoln Nautilus SUV has shifted from Canada to China, and more new models from Volvo and Polestar are on the way.

Aside from trade policy, those who remember the headlines Chinese automakers made for disastrous crash tests when they began exporting vehicles to Europe over a decade ago might already be wary of a vehicle with a “Made in China” label. But much has changed since those early days.

Chinese-made EVs like the BYD Atto 3 (shown below), MG4, and XPeng G9 are gaining in popularity globally for their cutting-edge technology and low prices. In 2024, they are expected to make up a quarter of all EV sales in Europe, according to the European Federation for Transport and Environment.

BYD, a Shenzhen-based automaker, is building a factory in Mexico, where its stylish Dolphin electric hatchback with a range of about 250 miles sells for the equivalent of $23,600. The small BYD Seagull EV sells for about $11,000 in China and is becoming popular in other markets as well.

“When it comes to performance and reliability, where a car is built really matters less than how it’s designed and manufactured,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “Our reliability data has shown this to be true for years.”

For example, our testing and reliability data show that the Chinese-built Envision is one of the better small SUVs in its class. The Polestar 2 EV is also made in China, but it sits at the bottom of our ratings. Many Honda and Toyota models built in the U.S. have excellent reliability, while some U.S.-built Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen models have below-average reliability. 

“Some automakers simply are better at setting up new plants and incorporating production methods that eliminate potential problems,” Fisher says, adding that Toyota is well-known for processes that prevent mistakes on the assembly line, while other brands leave more up to the skills and experience of the workers. 

At this point, CR hasn’t seen a difference between the Chinese-made vehicles already sold in the U.S. and vehicles from the same brands made in Europe, Japan, or North America, says Alex Knizek, associate director for auto test development at CR.

“From a build quality perspective, I’ve never noticed anything abnormal or different based on where a vehicle is assembled. I wouldn’t be able to tell you without looking it up or checking the sticker,” Knizek says.

If cars from Chinese brands are ever sold here, they would have to meet U.S. safety standards, just as Chinese cars sold in Europe must meet stringent European crash test standards. Knizek says it’s likely automakers would adapt their vehicles to fit the preferences of American consumers as well. 

While a car’s provenance does not predict its quality, CR experts say that there is often a correlation between an automaker’s experience and the reliability of the cars it produces. We’ve found that new manufacturers—including Fisker, Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla—face an uphill battle when it comes to reliability. “Our data has shown time and time again that car manufacturers that are new to building cars have had many problems,” Fisher says. “Some Chinese automakers have long histories working with established brands such as Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota, and GM. That may give them an advantage. But a new brand building in a new plant is likely not a recipe for success.”

“Current import restrictions mean that if we do see Chinese brands, they may be built in Mexico to help avoid tariffs,” Fisher says. “Only time will tell if the Chinese production methods will translate well in those new plants.”

You can also look at the first two characters of the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN), found where the windshield meets the dash in front of the driver. It’s also printed on the car’s title document and registration. Most dealer websites and online car marketplaces list a VIN as well. The first two characters of the VIN are called a World Manufacturer Identifier and show where final assembly took place.

These are World Manufacturer Identifiers for countries where U.S.-bound vehicles are commonly exported from:

1, 4, 5, 7F through 7Z, and 70: U.S.

2: Canada

3: Mexico

9A through 9E and 93 through 99: Brazil

AA through AH: South Africa

J: Japan

KL through KR: South Korea

L: China

MA through ME and MY through M0: India

ML through MR: Thailand

SA through SM: United Kingdom

TJ through TP: Czech Republic

TR through TV: Hungary

U5 through U7: Slovakia

VA through VE: Austria

VF through VR: France

VS through VW: Spain

W: Germany

YA through YE: Belgium

YS through YW: Sweden

YF through YK: Finland

XL through XR: The Netherlands

ZA through ZU: Italy