Consideration of Chinese Brands Differs With Age

Few Chinese cars are sold in the U.S., and many consumers here say they wouldn’t buy one anyway, but interest rises among younger generations.

A survey by California-based automotive industry data provider and product consultant AutoPacific found that 76% of consumers younger than 40 would consider a Chinese brand, despite privacy concerns. That’s compared to just 26% of respondents 60 and older.

The poll drew almost 800 participants ages 18 to 80.

Cars made in China are subject to high U.S. tariffs, and some members of Congress are calling for an outright ban on their import. Chinese brands are not sold here at all.

If they ever are, younger consumers appear to be open to buying them, according to the survey. They still indicated they’d be concerned about their privacy if they did so. Of those younger than 40, 73% said privacy concerns would be on their minds when considering buying Chinese.

“Privacy concerns about Chinese-brand vehicles are likely to eventually subside given that most of the connected smartphones, smart watches, laptops, connected home devices we are comfortable using every day are in fact manufactured in China,” said AutoPacific President and Chief Analyst Ed Kim in a report on the survey findings.

Some respondents said that assembly of Chinese auto brands in the U.S., if that ever happened, would increase their chances of buying them, including 39% of the youngest respondents.

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