What is the most reliable Chinese car brand

Top 15 Best Chinese Car Brands & Their History

Top 15 Best Chinese Car Brands.

Chinese Car Brands. While many countries like America, Japan, and Korea were already developing advanced car models, China was still out of touch with this industry. Yet now, the worlds largest automotive industry belongs to this country. But lets get to know a bit of how it came to this.

Before 1903, there were no cars in China. The first car brought to the country was from the American brand Osbourne. A rich man from Shanghai owned it. Then in 1928, general warlord Zhang Xueliang hired an American technician to help manufacture cars.

This attempt was successful, and he launched 10 cars in a year. And after 1990, Chinas automotive industry kept on rushing higher. By 2011, the country was already making more than 44% of automobiles in local firms.

Top 15 Best Chinese Car Brands.

Top Chinese Car Brands. Some of the top selling Chinese car brands are Geely, Changan, Great Wall, FAW, Lifan, Chery, etc. The country has been manufacturing more cars than many other top car manufacturing countries combined in recent years.

Best Chinese Car Brands.

Chinese Car Brands. There should be a reason why China has the largest automotive industry, right? Even if many of us know very little of the brands, most of them are astonishingly beautiful, versatile, and range from low to high price. Top 15 Best Chinese Car Brands & Their History.

Now lets get to know about them with Briefly.

Geely

The Mandarin translation for Geely is lucky. Maybe thats why this is one of the best Chinese car brands and the top automobile manufacturing company in the country.

Li Shufu founded the company in 1986 to manufacture scooters and refrigerators. Then in the mid-90s, the company began manufacturing motorcycles. And by the end of that decade, Geely was already making cars.

But they began with producing a small van and got the states approval three years later. Now, this Chinese care brand aims to make user-friendly cars innovatively.

And in recent years, Geely has become the largest car manufacturing brand in China. In 2010, the brand purchased the Swedish brand Volvo from Ford. Currently, the brand is worth 136 billion yuan.

Chery

The Government of China founded this brand in 1997. But it manufactured its first car in 1999. The company named the car Fengyun.

Chinese car brands are not widely recognized like American, Japanese, or Italian brands. But Chery is a well-known brand in many countries of the world.

It is known for making both passenger and commercial vehicles. However, instead of Chery, their commercial vehicles are sold under another brand named Kerry. Though Chery is recognized globally for exporting excellent cars, the brands license was restricted from exporting due to insufficient production until 2001.

Yet, this brand surprised everyone by becoming the largest automobile exporter from China for nine years. It has also been the largest passenger car exporter for eight years. Chery now aims to increase their car production to 500,000 units per year.

Changan

The Changan Automobile (Group) Co., Ltd. or Changan Automobile is one of the oldest brands that entered the automobile industry and gained success. It was a military supply factory for many years.

But the company started to manufacture cars in 1959. This is the famous brand that produced Chinas very first mini-vehicle. Generally, Changan is a state-owned brand, but China Weaponry Equipment is its parent company.

The word Changan means lasting safety, which is precisely what the brand aims to provide. It has an automotive research and development system to ensure safety by testing and verifying the vehicles.

Just like Americas Big Three car brands, Changan belongs to the Big Four of China. Last year, the number of this brands users exceeded 19 million.

FAW

The FAW Group Corporation began manufacturing automobiles in 1953. The Government of China founded the company, and it specializes in different types of vehicles and their parts.

The company launched its first car in 1958. It was Chinas first domestically manufactured car. In 1956, the brand was later established under Chinas Central Committees guidance and the Soviet Unions assistance.

The early passenger cars this brand made were based on the designs of Chrysler and General Motors. Shortly after 1990, FAW had a joint venture with Volkswagen and became the second largest car manufacturing company in China and one of the Big Fours.

SAIC Motor

SIAC is another state-owned car manufacturing company in China, founded in 1955. This brand is also a part of the Big Four of China.

This Chinese car company works on making fuel-efficient and luxurious cars. Being one of the largest Chinese car brands, it gained joint ventures with Volkswagen, Volvo, and General Motors.

In 2011, SIAC manufactured 3.9 million cars, becoming Chinas largest car producer that year. Other than SIAC, this brand also sells cars under a few other brands names, such as Yuejin, Maxus, Roewe, etc.

Dongfeng

Is there anything this brand does not make? Dongfeng is a reputed brand in China that makes passenger cars, buses, commercial vehicles, etc.

It is one of the giant brands of China, and now it cooperates with international automotive brands. This brand also has partnerships with six international brands. And its facilities are in various parts of China, such as Xiangyang, Wuhan, Shiyan, etc.

Much like some other powerful Chinese car brands, this one was also founded by the Government of China in 1969. The company manufactured commercial vehicles at the beginning but had started making passenger cars since 1978. Now, this giant brand has several joint ventures and even made it to the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest production line.

Hongqi

In Chinese, the word hongqi means red flag. Well, that explains the beautiful red logo of this brand.

Generally, Hongqi is a subdivision of Chinas other famous car brand, FAW. It was founded in 1958 with the purpose of making cars only for high-ranked government officers or the elites. But that ceased to exist in 1981.

The company was revived again during the mid-90s. This time foreign brands began producing and selling their cars under the Hongqi brand.

Now, it manufactures both expensive and affordable models and is among the well-known car brands in China. In 2014, Hongqi sold around 1000 units of its H7 model to the Peoples Liberation Army.

BYD Auto

Even though the BYD auto began its journey in 2003, it was originally founded by Wang Chuanfu in 1995. The company made rechargeable batteries, and it was pretty much competition against the Japanese market.

In 2003, the brand joined the automotive industry. BYD manufactures passenger cars, buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles from then on. Nevertheless, the company is still active in making batteries.

In 2008, the brand began selling its first plugged-in hybrid vehicle. Now, this Chinese car brand manufactures electric buses and luxury vehicles.

Great Wall

We all know and never fail to get mesmerized by the Great Wall of China. Maybe the founder of Great Wall Motors had a similar vision when naming the brand. Wei Jianjun founded this vehicle manufacturing company in 1984 and named it after this Wonder of the World.

The logo represents the gatekeeper of the Great Wall of China who sends smoke signals or stores weapons. Thus, the logo means power and reliability. Another way to interpret this logo is the growth of the company, just like the never-ending walls.

The company began manufacturing cars to meet the logistic firms growing demands. And now, it is the largest SUVs and pickup truck manufacturer in China.

BAIC Motors

The Chinese car brands that the Government of China has founded over the years and decades seem never-ending. Here is another state-owned Chinese automotive brand you should know about.

This vehicle brand does not just make passenger cars. You will also find BAIC commercial cars, SUVs, military vehicles, trucks, and buses.

The brand is also known for making machines and vehicle parts. BAIC makes cars for other famous brands like Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai for local markets. It is one of the top five automobile makers in China.

Lifan

Lifan started as a motorbike repairing company, which it still does. Chinas former politician Yin Mingshan founded the company in 1992 and called it the Chongqing Hongda Auto Fittings Research Center. It was a team of nine staff at the time.

But in 1997, the company was named the Lifan Industry Group and began manufacturing its own motorbikes. The company continued expanding and, eventually, became the largest motorbike producing company in China.

Just a decade after the brand began its new journey, it already had around 10 plants in China. Unfortunately, Lifan went bankrupt in 2020, only 23 after its most significant step.

GAC

Though GAC or Guangzhou Automobile Group was founded in 1997, it became the Guangzhou Automobile Industry Groups holding in 2005. And in 2009, this brand has already got the name for becoming the 6th largest automaker in China.

Even though you will get these cars under the GAC logo, you will also find passenger and commercial vehicles under Trumpchi and Gonow brand names.

The brand became well-known around China for manufacturing fuel-efficient vehicles. It also makes cars for international brands to meet local market demands.

Foton

When Foton was founded in 1996, it was a small concern. But in 1997, it became a separate subdivision. And now it is reputed for manufacturing small to large trucks and agricultural machines.

In 2010, the brand established its headquarter in Moscow, Russia. Then it began expanding itself in other international markets.

The brand now operates under BAIC automobile company. By 2010 the brand had sold approximately 640,000 vehicles in China.

Brilliance Auto

Here we go again! The renowned Brilliance Auto is another state-owned automobile company in China. Yang Rong founded the company in 1992, and it has been operating for 30 years now.

Originally, the brand manufactured and sold buses but then moved to sedans, minivans, and various other models. Brilliance sells its commercial vehicles under Jinbei and Granse brand names. And I should mention that 70% of production is economical sedans.

Its successful operations made it one of Chinas top ten largest car brands. Now, the brand also operates with the famous German brand BMW.

JAC Motors

When the company was established in 1964, it was named the Hefei Jianghuai Automobile Factory. But in 1997, the companys name changed to Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. Ltd., and it remains the companys official name till today.

JAC Motors has always been famous for making excellent-quality trucks and SUVs. But the company expanded its production to off-road and dump trucks.

The company produces around 500,000 engines and 700,000 vehicles annually. And other than China, the brand operates in Africa, Asia, South America, etc.

Conclusion.

Unless you are a car nerd, it can be a little challenging to name a few Chinese car brands. Yet, Chinese cars claim a large part of the automotive market in the domestic and international markets.

The brands I have mentioned are some of the top-selling and popular ones in China. Many of them are now also famous internationally.

Since many Chinese cars come at an affordable price, they have become an excellent option for many users.

Information last update;

15, August, 2023.

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Top 10 Best Chinese Car Brands In The UAE

The automobile industry is one of the largest industries in the world by revenue. It is also one of the earliest industries to be established in the world, beginning as early as 1898. However, in China, the first automotive roots were only established in the 1950s.

Despite this, only the wealthy were able to own a car for the first three decades and the general population still relied on bicycles and horse-drawn carriages until the late 80s and even through the 90s. However, the Chinese auto industry saw immense growth in the 90s and through the first decade of this century.

In 2008, China was named the largest producer of automobiles in the world. Since then, Chinese car manufacturers have been on a rapid expansion spree and are currently found in almost all corners of the world. In the UAE too, Chinese car manufacturers are slowly but surely finding acceptance and admiration.

In general, Chinese cars are less expensive when compared to their immediate competitors. Initially, buyers were skeptical of the quality. However, the quality issues no longer exist and Chinese cars are now made to a high standard. Here is a list of the Top 10 Chinese car manufacturers in the UAE and the products they sell:

10. GAC Motor

GAC Motor is a Chinese car manufacturer established in 2008. However, it was in 2013 that it first ventured into foreign markets. It is owned by the GAC Group and its name is basically an acronym for Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. The GAC Group owns several other brands including Trumpchi, Aion, Hycan, Changfeng Motor, and Gonow.

GAC has also partnered with several well-known car manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, Hino, BYD, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Peugeot, Fiat, etc. In the UAE, GAC has partnered with Gargash Motors & General Trading, giving Gargash exclusive distribution rights to GAC cars in the UAE.

Sedans sold by GAC in the UAE:

MPVs sold by GAC in the UAE:

SUVs sold by GAC in the UAE:

Here are several used GAC cars for sale in the UAE and new GAC cars for sale in the UAE.

9. Geely

Geely is one of the largest car manufacturers in China. The entire name is Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd and is headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The Geely Group has several automotive brands under its umbrella. This includes Volvo, Smart Automobile, Lynk & Co, Lotus cars, Polestar, Maple, etc.

In the UAE, Geely has partnered with Union Motors and the brand currently sells only three models in the country.

Sedans sold by Geely in the UAE:

SUVs sold by Geely in the UAE:

• Emgrand GS Sport
• Emgrand X7 Sport

Here are a few used Geely cars for sale in the UAE and new Geely cars for sale in the UAE.

8. BAIC Motor

Headquartered in Beijing, BAIC is one of the well-known Chinese car manufacturers. BAIC Motor is quickly gaining popularity across several countries in the middle east. It was founded in 2010 as a sub-brand of the BAIC Group. BAIC is a state-owned brand and is currently the sixth-largest car maker in China.

In the UAE, BAIC has partnered with the Marwan Alshaali Group, giving them exclusive rights for retailing BAIC cars. Some of the BAIC SUVs are much-loved in the UAE and this especially applies to the BAIC BJ80.

SUVs sold by BAIC in the UAE:

• BJ80
• BJ40 C
• BJ40 SE
• BJ40 S
• X7
• F40
• X55
• BJ60
• X35

Check out the new BAIC cars for sale in the UAE and used BAIC cars for sale in the UAE.

7. JAC Motors

While it is commonly known as JAC, the official name of this Chinese car manufacturer is Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. It is one of the older car manufacturers in China as it was established way back in 1964. It is one of the few Chinese brands to be partially owned by a foreign entity.

JAC is a subsidiary of JAG Group which is half-owned by Volkswagen while the other 50 percent is held by the Chinese government. In the UAE, JAC Motors has partnered with the Al Habtoor Group and Al Habtoor Motors is the exclusive distributor for JAC Motors in the region.

Sedans sold by JAC Motors in the UAE:

Crossovers sold by JAC Motors in the UAE:

SUVs sold by JAC Motors in the UAE:

Find here used JAC cars that are available for sale in the UAE. However, if new cars are your thing, here are new JAC cars for sale in the UAE.

6. Haval

Haval was formed in 2013 and is known for its SUVs. So far, Haval has only manufactured SUVs and nothing else and going by its future plans, Haval intends to remain an SUV-only brand.

Haval is owned by Great Wall Motors and is currently present in several countries in different corners of the world including the likes of Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the USA, Iraq, Iran, etc.

In the UAE, Haval established its first dealership back in 2016 partnering with the Al Naboodah Group.

SUVs sold by Haval in the UAE:

Find used Haval cars for sale in the UAE and new Haval cars for sale in the UAE.

5. Changan

Changan is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Chongqing. It is claimed that the brand was established in 1862. However, the first automobile was only produced almost a hundred years later, in 1959. Like many other Chinese car manufacturers, Changan has dedicated itself to the manufacturing of electric vehicles for the future.

Changan retails quite a few vehicles in the UAE and most of them are SUVs.

Sedans sold by Changan in the UAE:

SUVs sold by Changan in the UAE:

• CS35 Plus
• CS85
• CS95
• CS75 Plus
• UNI-K
• UNI-T

Here are new Changan cars for sale in the UAE and used Changan cars for sale in the UAE in case youre looking for one.

4. Jetour

Jetour is one of the several sub-brands under Chery Automobile Co Ltd. It is the ninth-largest car manufacturer in China and Chery was formed in 1997. Jetour on the other hand was created in recent years. Jetour is a brand dedicated to crossovers and SUVs. Notably, the name Jetour was derived from the two words Jet and Tour.

In the UAE, Jetour has partnered with The Elite Cars for exclusive distribution rights. As aforementioned, Jetour is an SUV-only brand and currently retails several SUVs in the UAE.

SUVs sold by Jetour in the UAE:

• X70
• X70 S
• X70 FL
• X70 Plus Comfort
• X70 Plus Luxury
• X90 Plus
• Dashing

Despite the names sounding more like variants of the same car, the SUVs are vastly different and have their own characteristics. If youre looking at purchasing a Jetour car, here are a few Jetour cars for sale in the UAE.

3. Hongqi

Often referred to as the Chinese Rolls-Royce, Hongqi is known for producing some of the most luxurious cars in the world. In Chinese, Hongqi means Red flag and this is no coincidence. It was originally designed and produced only for high-ranking officials in the Chinese government. In fact, the president of China, Xi Jinping is chauffeured around in a Hongqi L5.

Hongqi actually went out of production in 1981 but was revived about a decade later. In the UAE, Hongqi is exclusively distributed by ALTAWKILAT. Hongqi even launched a members club in the UAE for its patrons.

Sedans sold by Hongqi in the UAE:

SUVs sold by Hongqi in the UAE:

EVs sold by Hongqi in the UAE:

Find used Hongqi cars in the UAE and new Hongqi cars in the UAE.

2. Great Wall Motor

Great Wall Motor is the eighth largest car manufacturer in China. However, it is one of the most popular Chinese brands in several international markets. This is because Great Wall Motor and its various subsidiaries have expanded to several countries across the world.

Some of the brands under the Great Wall Motor umbrella include Haval, Tank, Oer, GWM, etc. In the UAE, Great Wall Motors has partnered with the Al Naboodah group for exclusive distributorship.

Currently, Great Wall Motor only retails pickup trucks in the UAE:

Find used Great Wall Motor cars for sale in the UAE and new Great Wall Motor cars for sale in the UAE.

1. BYD

An acronym for Build Your Dreams, BYD Auto is the automotive subsidiary of BYD Company based in China. BYD solely focuses on electric mobility and with the added emphasis on e-Mobility in the UAE, fits in perfectly. It is without a doubt that we can say, BYD makes the best-looking cars compared to all other Chinese brands.

Alongside manufacturing electric cars, BYD also makes modern buses and trucks. In 2022, BYD announced that it had become the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world, beating even Tesla. BYD ended up selling more than a million EVs in 2022.

With products like the Atto 3, Han, Tang, e6, etc, BYD is sure to find unprecedented growth in the UAE. If youre looking to purchase a BYD car in the UAE, here are a few BYD cars for sale in the UAE.

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