The New Year is around the corner and many auto manufacturers have already launched their 2019 models.

What’s different at this year’s Saudi International Motor Show is that there are a host of Chinese manufacturers participating in it. Some even have their stalls set up at prime spots. Their latest cars look no less than those of big-time international manufacturers and are backed by strong local distributors.

Many Chinese car buyers nowadays are reportedly women. While this is plausible considering the fact that marketers are going out all guns blazing on this new segment, one may ask is it really worth buying a Chinese car?

Like most first time buyers, I too was in a dilemma but I took the leap and bought a Chinese car; five years on I have no qualms. Here are some reasons why I believe that as opposed to popular view buying a Chinese car may not be that bad after all.

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Price

The 2nd hand car market right now is probably at the cheapest that it has ever been. Notwithstanding that one can get a brand new Chinese car for the price of a 2nd hand Korean or Japanese made one that is in good condition. Consider this, a brand new SUV by a Chinese manufacturer could cost less than 50K, that’s way less than the 80k one has to shell out for an entry-level SUV by a Korean or Japanese brand.

Speaking of price, many age-old regional distributors of other well established international brands are also trying to get hold of this market that is looking for cheap entry level cars. Mitsubishi Attrage’s entry-level version is being sold for less than 30k! This move has clearly narrowed the price gap between a Chinese sedan and a Japanese one – but there is still a long way to go.

Geely’s first MPV coming soon pic.twitter.com/ULc833CG9Y

— Geely Worldwide (@GeelyWorldwide) September 25, 2018

Warranty & Service

Considering the apprehensions of many first time buyers of buying a Chinese car almost all distributors of Chinese cars are selling their cars with a three-year warranty on the electricals and a five-year warranty on the engine and transmission.

The after sales is not bad either as most of these Chinese brands are being distributed by dealers of many other well established foreign brands that already have a widespread network of service stations. A basic 5000 km service can cost as low as 240 SR. Chinese spare parts are dirt cheap as well.

#Hongqi presentó en el BeijingAutoShow la #LS5.
Hongqi, una subsidiaria de China FAW Car Company pic.twitter.com/kTa3FzAmGa

— ADN Automotriz (@ADNautomotriz) April 27, 2016

Brand China

When one buys a car by a Japanese automobile company they think that they are getting a Japanese car. But the reality is that it is actually “Made in China” pretty much like everything else nowadays. These Chinese manufacturers aren’t new like many would predict – yes new to the local market but not internationally. In fact, in terms of volume, some Chinese manufacturers feature among the largest manufacturers of vehicles in the world. They even seem to be on a merger and acquisition spree as Chinese manufacturer Geely holds a majority stake in Volvo and China’s state-owned SAIC is the proud owner of the British marque MG.