Chinese carmakers

Sales of Chinese hybrid cars are growing rapidly in the European Union even as the bloc imposes tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The tariffs, introduced to counter alleged subsidies, apply mainly to battery-electric models, so manufacturers are increasingly exporting hybrids, which fall outside the measures, to keep a foothold in the European market.

Chinese carmakers are pushing ahead in electric vehicle technology with ultrafast charging systems that can recharge a battery in about five minutes. The development, widely reported in US regional newspapers, is being framed as a sign that China is extending its lead over Western and Japanese competitors in the race to make electric cars as convenient to refuel as petrol vehicles.

GAC's AION UT electric hatchback is being examined as a test of whether Chinese carmakers can convert UK shopper curiosity into lasting brand loyalty. The compact EV arrives in a British market increasingly open to Chinese brands on price and technology, but where long-term customer trust remains unproven. Commentators see the model as a gauge of how far new entrants can go against established rivals.