But They Won't Be Able To Anytime Soon
Some Chinese automakers have expressed interest in selling cars in the United States—GAC has even made occasional appearances at the Detroit auto show—but aside from the odd China-assembled Volvo or Buick, we haven't seen a Chinese car on sale in the U.S. Trade policies hostile to imported vehicles—especially those from China—will keep it that way for the time being.
But many Americans are ready to consider Chinese cars, and dealers still anticipate a Chinese brand entering the U.S. market despite tariffs. Those are some of the takeaways from a new report by the David Cantin Group (DCG) and Kaiser Associates. The report surveyed car buyers and found that 40% would consider buying a Chinese-made vehicle.
Disconnect Between Demand And Political Reality
It's unlikely that American consumers will have the opportunity to buy Chinese cars, though. Remarkably, 75% of dealers surveyed expected a Chinese brand to begin selling cars in the U.S. within a year. As the report notes, that's unlikely in the current political climate.
Cars have been a major target of the Trump Administration's trade war, with even vehicles produced in countries friendly to the U.S.—such as Canada, Japan, and the European nations—subjected to heavy tariffs or tariff threats. Relations with China are much cooler, and protectionist policies targeting Chinese cars were already in place under the Biden Administration, which quadrupled tariffs on them to over 100%.
The Biden policies were intended to head off an encroachment of the Chinese auto industry that's already underway in Europe. As the report notes, Chinese brands doubled their European Union market share in the first half of 2025, with sales up 91% year-over year. BYD also outsold Tesla in Europe this spring.
The report called Trump's re-election a "major blow" to Chinese automakers, but added that a "controlled rollout" of Chinese-made vehicles under the current administration was "plausible." It's unclear what conditions would set that rollout in motion, given the Trump Administration's hostility to foreign trade. Even importing cars from Mexico, which once seemed like a potential workaround for Chinese automakers under Biden, is likely no longer viable given Trump's trade spat with that country.
What's The Appeal?
American consumers' interest in Chinese cars is tried to concerns about affordability, the report indicated.
"Affordability is reshaping purchase decisions, driving interest in cheaper Chinese vehicles, and making any manufacturer decision to pass on tariff costs to consumers virtually impossible without the risk of losing market share," DCG president Brian Gordon told Autoweek. And while Chinese brands, benefitting from subsidies, have released affordable EVs like the BYD Seagull, American automakers are still focused on expensive pickup trucks even as consumer demand shifts.
"We've reached peak truck, as consumers finally push back and demand more vehicle options, particularly sedans, that are more affordable, leaving some dealers struggling with their product mix," the report says. While some relief is in sight in the form of the 2026 Nissan Leaf and returning Chevrolet Bolt EV, it will take some time to undo the damage of truck-centric product plans at the Detroit Three.
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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