In Pakistan, owning a European car used to be the ultimate status symbol—whether it was a sleek BMW or a luxurious Mercedes-Benz, these cars stood for prestige, luxury, and performance. But as times change, so do tastes. Today, Chinese car brands like Haval, MG, Changan, and BYD are slowly taking over the space once dominated by European giants, offering similar levels of luxury and tech at much more accessible prices.
For example, just look at the interior of the Haval Joilion or H6; honestly, their interiors’ built quality and aesthetic quality are solid and superb, just up to the mark, it doesn’t seem that you’re sitting in a Chinese-origin car, but in a proper European brand car.
Here’s a written documentary on Chinese brands as a new European
Still, Not the Best!
Cars are considered a status symbol in Pakistan. If we talk about German manufacturers, people buy them for their name, not exactly for what they offer; at least, that’s the mindset of the majority in Pakistan.
While the Chinese do offer super value for the money they charge, they can’t change people’s mindsets. Hence, their resale value is never good compared to European or even JDM brands.
Most of their consumers are those people who look for goodies and value deals, not those who look for status symbols.
But here are some pros of Chinese vehicles compared to European brands:
European Luxury for a Fraction of Price Tag
European cars have always been synonymous with premium quality, but that premium came with a hefty price tag. Enter Chinese brands, which offer sleek, European-inspired designs with high-tech features like ADAS, panoramic sunroofs, and plush interiors, all at prices that won’t break the bank.
The best examples are Haval and MG cars. Their looks and interiors do not seem like cheap Chinese products anywhere. Especially on MG HS, the paint quality looks the same as that of expensive JDMs, e.g., Camry and LC300. Although these Chinese offer tiny engines, the turbo compensates for it with good pick-up and power.
Hi-tech Goodies and Modern Tech
When it comes to technology, Chinese automakers have borrowed from the European playbook. Brands like MG and ORA are some of the top local EV manufacturers, offering features like hybrid engines, advanced infotainment systems, and even AI-driven safety features. Although their prices are on the higher side, considering the Li-ion battery production cost and huge taxes that the Pakistani government imposes on the auto sector, it seems fine.
What’s more, the EV game in Pakistan is about to get a serious upgrade when brands like BYD and Deepal begin operating here. These aren’t just any EV companies; BYD is known internationally as a Tesla killer.
European Design, Chinese Badge
From a distance, you might mistake a Haval Jolion for a luxury SUV out of Germany or Italy. No, it’s not just a coincidence but a strategic move. Reportedly, multiple Chinese brands hire European designers so their end product’s design language looks similar to a European branded car, resulting in sleek, attractive cars that could easily be mistaken for a European brand—until you notice the much lower price on the tag. One example is Deepal, the designers of their S07 and L07 models, who were Italian.
Good Customer Service of Chinese Brands
One of the biggest complaints about European cars in Pakistan has always been the high maintenance cost and the availability of spare parts. Chinese brands, on the other hand, are building local assembly plants and ensuring a steady supply of parts and after-sales service. While we’re not saying every Chinese manufacturer has superb resale, most of them do offer good aftersale service. The only problem is the low number of workshops in the cities, as compared to JDM brands, which have around 10-20 workshops in each city.
