America has gotten very used to the concept of foreign cars. People think of the best engineering when they buy a Mercedes, simply because for decades through the W126, their cars were bulletproof.
the year is 2089. the berlin wall fell a century ago. this mercedes is still driving
People also think of value when they purchased a Kia up until a few years ago when they became very cool.
if you told people this was a brand new audi they’d believe you
And this is one of the very first Chinese-manufactured cars in the United States.
whoda guessed?
The Polestar 1, a Volvo-engineered product, is built in Chengdu, China after Volvo was purchased by Geely.
Now that that Mad Libs line is over…
For $160k, you too can own a limited edition, Chinese built luxury electric sports coupe.
Cooler yet is the exposed electric wiring in the trunk, a 21st century nod at a hood bump for a gas engine.
But is anyone buying it?
Around 65 were sold in Europe per year for the past two years, showing that this car was absolutely not meant for volume.
But this is a foreign-owned brand selling a foreign-manufactured vehicle.
Did you know Buick sells a Chinese-made car in the United States?
straight outta shanghai
Buick sold 25k of these in the US last year, so obviously some buyers don’t mind.
Lincoln is getting into the action too, producing their compact Nautilus crossover in China.
Looks sharp, and it’s interesting that these brands have chosen brands that are quintessentially American and targeted to an older demographic to sell these cars in the US.
Chinese brands are desperate to sell their own electric cars in the US, to the point of hiring lobbyists to overcome Trump-era tariffs and Biden administration incentives for American-made electric cars.
So who knows – in 2089 we may look at a Chinese car the way a Hyundai was looked at in the 1980s.
And I guarantee you that W126 Mercedes will still be driving.
try me bitch