Baizhi
Introduced as recently as 2021, Baizhi builds small and affordable (sub-£5,000) electric city cars with imaginative names, such s the Big Cat and Big Bear.
Bestune
Launched in 2006 by the giant FAW (First Automotive Works) group as an import basher, Bestune has an enormous range of conventional family saloon and crossover models for all tastes and budgets.
Brilliance
One-time potential saviour of the Rover Group, and a long-term but now-ex-partner of BMW, Brilliance was one of the first Chinese car makers to present its cars in Europe annually at the Geneva Motor Show, but after much initial promise, European imports as yet have still to materialise.
Ciimo
Launched uniquely in China by Honda in partnership with Dongfeng in 2010, Ciimo now builds modified versions of electric Honda models, including the e-Ny1 for export.
Changan
State-owned, Changan is one of China’s largest vehicle makers, building a vast array of model and brand names (Ruixang, Shenqi, Honor, Deepal, etc.) and also working closely in partnership with Ford, Mazda and the PSA Groupe.
Chery
Chery’s first model was a modified version fo the original Seat Toledo. The marque has come a long way since then, now partnering with JLR, building cars in Italy branded as DR, and selling in huge numbers in China, with its strong-selling Cowin, Exeed and Jetour brands, as well as its own models, including the cute QQ Ice Cream city EV.
Dayun
Originally a producer of enormous truck engines, the Dayun group now builds the classy Tesla Model 3-rivalling electric ES3 premium saloon, plus a wide range of crossovers under the Yuehu and Yuanzhi brands.
Dongfeng
One of the ‘Big Three’ Chinese car makers (along with Changan and FAW), Wuhan-based Dongfeng built its first successful car – based on the old Citroen ZX – in 1992 and has subsequently grown to become a major automotive group, woking closely with Stellantis, Honda and Nissan, and owning a large portfolio of Chinese vehicle brands, including Fengshen, DKSK (which already sells vans in the UK), Aeolus, Fengxing, Forthing, Fengon, Lantu, Voyah, and so on.