Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
Former Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg has expressed on Monday high praise for Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in a LinkedIn post, highlighting their quality, technological advancements, and competitive pricing.
Rosberg, who retired from racing in 2016, visited Shanghai to test-drive several Chinese EVs.
In his post on Monday, the investor pointed out a significant price gap between European and Chinese EVs. “Interesting fact! The average price of a European EV in 2023 was €46,000 versus just under €32,000 for EVs from Chinese OEMs! This puts Chinese car manufacturers in an excellent position to attract European buyers who want low-emission vehicles but prefer or need more affordable options,” he wrote.
NEVER MISS AN UPDATE
During his time in Shanghai, Rosberg test-drove multiple models and was impressed by their overall quality and technological innovations. “I was super impressed with the overall quality and technological advancements in these vehicles,” he noted.
One model that stood out was the Xiaomi SU7, featured in a picture accompanying his post. Rosberg highlighted the significant improvements in range and charging capabilities, noting that some models offer up to 830 km on a single charge and fast charging that can add 220 km in just five minutes.
The Smartphone giant delivered 8,630 vehicles in May, its second month of production. The result represents a 22.3 percent growth from April as the company introduces double shifts aiming to surpass 10 thousand units in June.
The first model of the smartphone giant is being positioned as a competitor to the Tesla Model 3, with the company committing to a $10 billion investment in its EV project over the next decade aiming to enter the top 5 of global automakers.
NEVER MISS AN UPDATE
Rosberg also praised the interior designs, describing them as futuristic, with large touchscreens and fully connected systems that integrate seamlessly with home appliances. He highlighted the autonomous driving features as a testament to the innovative engineering teams behind these vehicles.
Another aspect that fascinated Rosberg was the rapid development cycle of these vehicles. “Some manufacturers can take a car from an idea to producing hundreds of thousands of units in just three years,” he remarked. This rapid development, coupled with competitive pricing and advanced technology, positions Chinese EV manufacturers as formidable competitors in the global market.
The former F1 world champion concluded his post with a question about the future of the automotive industry: “Will German automakers be able to keep up with this rapidly evolving competition from China? Which OEM do you see as best positioned to thrive in this environment?”
Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
NEVER MISS AN UPDATE
The post Former F1 Champion Praises Chinese EVs, Questions if German OEMs Can Keep Up first appeared on EV.