Chinese automobile brands show varying reliability and quality

Recent data and regulatory inspections highlight significant variations in the reliability and quality of Chinese automobile brands. An OCU survey conducted across 10 European countries involving over 85,000 motorists reveals a wide performance gap between manufacturers. BYD achieved a high reliability score of 89/100, placing it among the top 10 brands globally alongside Tesla, whereas MG scored 72/100 and Lynk & Co ranked near the bottom of the scale.

While many Chinese models secure five-star Euro NCAP ratings, detailed sub-scores indicate differences in active versus passive safety systems. For instance, the BYD Atto 3 maintains solid scores across all categories, but other models may show weaknesses in driver assistance despite high passive protection scores.

Simultaneously, Chinese authorities have launched a large-scale inspection campaign to address quality concerns stemming from rapid development cycles. Driven by intense domestic price wars and export ambitions, some manufacturers have attempted to compress vehicle development timelines to 18 months using AI. This has led to regulatory scrutiny of factory outputs, battery integrity, and cybersecurity. Inspections have already identified discrepancies, such as the Geely EX2 exceeding regulatory wheelbase tolerances.