Edmunds, a well-known car shopping site, has recently tested a Chinese vehicle for the first time, and editor-in-chief Alistair Weaver noted a significant impression. He stated, “U.S. automakers have good reason to be concerned.”
Although Chinese vehicles face a sort of ban in the U.S., Edmunds felt it was important to test them because American consumers are showing a growing interest in affordable and well-equipped cars.
Specifically, they evaluated the Geely Galaxy M9, a hybrid SUV that retails for around $25,000 in China. The tests covered aspects like range, acceleration, braking, and other performance metrics.
Weaver remarked that many of the M9’s features are “ahead of anything we drive in the United States,” after experiencing the vehicle on Edmunds’ Los Angeles test track. “The technology is amazing,” he added.
A study by Cox Automotive recently revealed that U.S. consumers are becoming more open to Chinese-branded cars, despite the barriers from regulations, political pushback, and nearly complete tariffs.
It seems some consumers are even considering heading to Mexico or Canada to access these Chinese models, as they are more readily available there due to relaxed trade rules.
Geely provided the M9 to Edmunds to showcase its technological advancements globally, not specifically to push for its entry into the U.S. market. A spokesperson mentioned, “While Geely continually evaluates the global market, the current commercial focus for the Galaxy M9 remains in China.”
Competing with Higher-Priced Rivals
Weaver explained that Edmunds secured access to the vehicle after connecting with Geely representatives at the CES trade show this year. Although new Chinese cars can’t be imported or sold in the U.S., Edmunds is allowed to legally rent vehicles like the M9 and test them on American roads.
The team drove this model for three weeks in daily situations, like grocery runs, assessing its performance on 227 metrics.
They discovered that the three-row Galaxy M9 SUV stands toe-to-toe with vehicles that are often priced much higher, like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Grand Highlander. Even though the M9 would likely cost more if marketed in the U.S., it remains competitive in China even at double its current price of $25,000.
The Galaxy M9 features a 30-inch infotainment screen comparable in responsiveness to a Tesla’s. Along with the core tech, it includes unique Chinese car features, such as a built-in refrigerator, external speakers, and a flip-down entertainment screen for the back row.
Its estimated range of 808 miles surpasses expectations for similar upcoming U.S. models.
This plug-in hybrid operates with a sizeable battery, using a small gasoline engine mainly to recharge it. Edmunds found that the M9 can travel up to 100 miles solely on electric power before needing the generator.
Chinese automakers have been producing long-range hybrids for years. Meanwhile, major companies like Ford and Stellantis are planning to introduce similar vehicles in the U.S., aiming to provide an alternative to the slower-selling EVs.
According to Tu Le, who heads consultancy Sino Auto Insights, the competitive nature of China’s car market necessitates the rollout of increasingly feature-rich models at lower costs. He expressed concern that consumers would be frustrated if these attractive options were denied in the U.S., particularly as prices begin to rise.
“Consumers around the world benefit from being able to access the latest products at the lowest prices,” Le pointed out. “Completely shutting them out? That’s bound to annoy people.”
