The list included the most Chinese models
Seven Chinese-made models have become candidates for the title of European Car of the Year 2024. There are a total of 28 candidates on the list. And 25% of them are Chinese: BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus), BYD Han, BYD Dolphin, BYD Seal, Nio ET7, Smart #1 and Volvo EX30. Yes, Smart #1 and Volvo EX30 have European heritage. But in reality these are Chinese cars.
In 2020, Geely bought a 50% stake in Smart from Mercedes-Benz. Both companies aimed to develop a new generation of all-electric Smart models. In 2021, Geely and Mercedes-Benz formed the Smart Automobile JV, headquartered in Ningbo, Hangzhou Province. In this joint venture, Mercedes is responsible for the design of new Smart electric vehicles, and Geely is in charge of development.
The first electric car from the Smart Automobile JV – Smart #1 – is built on the SEA platform developed by Geely. Viridi E-mobility Technology (a subsidiary of Geely) produces Smart #1 electric motors. CALB supplies the 66 kWh battery (NMC) for Smart #1, and Rept Battero produces the 49 kWh LFP batteries. Mass production of Smart #1 is carried out at Geely's Zhejiang Haoqing plant. As for the Mercedes-Benz team, they worked on the exterior and interior of Smart #1.
The Volvo EX30 is also built on the SEA platform developed by Geely. Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery, a joint venture between Geely and Sunwoda, produces the rechargeable battery (NMC). Viridi E-Mobility Technology supplies the electric motors for the EX30. According to MIIT, the production of this model takes place at the Zhejiang Haoqing plant. This is the same plant that produces Smart #1. Volvo (owned by Geely) plans to produce the EX30 at its Goethe plant in Belgium in 2025. But at the moment, the birthplace of this electric crossover is China.
Here is the full list of candidates:
- BMW 5-Series
- BMW XM
- BYD Atto 3
- BYD Dolphin
- BYD Han
- BYD Seal
- Fiat 600e
- Ford Bronco
- Honda CR-V
- Honda e:NY1
- Honda ZR-V
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Hyundai Kona
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Kia EV9
- Lexus RZ
- Lucid Air
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV
- Nio ET7
- Peugeot E-3008/3008
- Renault Espace
- Renault Scenic
- Smart #1
- Toyota C-HR
- Toyota Prius
- Volkswagen ID.7
- Volvo EX30
Japanese cars account for 21.4% (6), German – 17.8% (5), American – 10.7% (3), Korean – 10.7% (3), French – 10.7% (3) , Italian – 3.7% (1).