More than two in five (43%) drivers would consider buying a Chinese vehicle as their next car, compared with just 26% who would not, according to findings from Close Brothers Motor Finance.
Attitudes towards Chinese manufacturers are shifting as their presence in the UK grows and consumers become more familiar with the brands. Earlier this year, just 22% said they felt comfortable purchasing a Chinese-made vehicle.
John Cassidy, managing director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “Chinese vehicle manufacturers are becoming an increasingly important part of the UK automotive market, particularly as demand for electric vehicles continues to grow.
“Our research suggests motorists are becoming more comfortable with the idea of buying a Chinese-made car, driven in part by the affordability and accessibility of many of the electric models now available.
“While concerns around reliability and brand familiarity remain, the findings show confidence is growing. Greater acceptance of these brands is likely to encourage more new Chinese vehicles onto UK roads, which over time will help boost supply in the used car market and give motorists even more choice.
“For dealers, this presents an opportunity to support drivers looking for a more affordable route into EV ownership, particularly as a wider range of finance options help make these vehicles even more accessible.”
Earlier research found that 42% of motorists were worried about the availability of spare parts, while 37% cited reliability and build quality concerns and 36% said they were unfamiliar with Chinese brands.
In the latest survey, those figures have fallen to 28%, 30% and 32% respectively.
Brand unfamiliarity is still the biggest concern among drivers considering a Chinese vehicle (32%), followed by reliability concerns (30%), spare parts availability (28%) and build quality (28%).
A quarter would prefer to wait until Chinese manufacturers have established a longer track record before making a decision.
The growing appeal of is likely driven by the rapid expansion of competitively priced electric models entering the UK market.
Chinese manufacturers are positioning themselves as a cost-effective route into EV ownership, offering advanced technology and competitive pricing.
