Study finds: One in four Germans potentially welcoming Chinese automobiles
Chinese Car Brands Gaining Visibility Among German Car Owners, But Market Share Remains Low
A recent survey conducted by the German Automobile Trust (DAT) for the 'DAT Report 2025' has revealed a growing openness among German car owners to the idea of driving a Chinese car. According to the findings, reported by Automobilwoche, 27% of respondents, slightly more than one out of four, can imagine driving a Chinese car.
The survey results suggest that Chinese brands are gaining increased visibility among German car owners. In fact, 37% of respondents have seen Chinese brands on the road, and 41% know them from advertising or the press. Moreover, 10% of respondents have gained personal experiences with Chinese brands through test drives or rental cars.
However, the willingness to drive a Chinese vehicle is still low, especially among private consumers. Uta Heller and Martin Endlein from DAT commented that this is a trend that has persisted for some time. The willingness to drive a Chinese vehicle has grown in recent years, but it remains lower among private consumers compared to other segments.
Despite growing interest, the market share of Chinese brands in Germany is only 1.69% in the first half of 2025. This is a significant increase from previous years, but it still leaves Chinese brands far behind German and other foreign brands in terms of market share.
The three Chinese car brands with the highest sales in Germany in the first half of 2025 are MG Roewe with over 15,600 new registrations, BYD with about 8,500, and Xpeng with around 35 dealerships indicating notable sales figures. MG Roewe leads among Chinese brands by a significant margin.
Interestingly, the survey results indicate that owners of non-German car brands are more open to the idea of driving a Chinese car. In fact, 13% of owners of foreign brands are considering a Chinese car, compared to only 7% of drivers of German vehicles. The survey results also suggest that drivers of Korean car brands have the highest level of openness to switching to a Chinese car, with 21% considering it.
However, it is worth noting that a significant portion of new registrations for Chinese brands in Germany is not going to private buyers. Over 60% of BYD's registrations in Germany are not going to private buyers, with over two-thirds of Great Wall Motor's registrations falling into this category. This suggests that Chinese brands may still face challenges in gaining acceptance among private consumers in Germany.
In conclusion, while Chinese car brands are gaining increased visibility among German car owners, the willingness to drive a Chinese vehicle remains low, especially among private consumers. The market share of Chinese brands in Germany is also still relatively low, despite growing interest. It remains to be seen whether Chinese brands will be able to overcome these challenges and gain a larger share of the German car market in the future.
