Opinion

“You could get a BYD on your driveway before a VW”

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler is excited by the new wave of upstarts - such as BYD and Ora - that are on their way to the UK

BYD opinion

It wasn’t long ago that Kia and Hyundai were the challenger brands making waves by taking on established car makers. Now they’re part of the establishment themselves, producing cars that are among the best you can buy – as their multiple award wins, not least from us, prove.

More than that, in the new world of electrification we’re seeing a levelling of the playing field where buyers are finding the latest Kias and Hyundais just as appealing as models from what we would class as traditional premium brands. The combination of style, quality and tech that these cars offer is as good as – and often better than – what the posh European car makers have on sale.

But now it’s the likes of Kia and Hyundai that are in the cross hairs for a new wave of car makers coming to the UK. MG has been at the forefront of this invasion, with the quality of its cars and the number it now sells propelling it into the mainstream, fast. We rate the new MG4 highly and having now driven it myself, I totally agree – it’s a brilliant car.

We’ve also been behind the wheel of the BYD Atto 3 – another Volkswagen ID.3 rival from China that’s set to offer decent quality, tech and driving manners for less than its VW equivalent. And perhaps even more amazingly, it’s set to be on sale here by the end of the year, so you could get a BYD on your driveway before a VW. The only parts of the Atto 3 that BYD doesn’t manufacturer itself are the glass and tyres – so no component supply issues there, then.

Also coming soon is the Ora Funky Cat, made by another Chinese giant, Great Wall Motors. It follows a similar theme to BYD (and others before), by offering more for less. The upstarts of old were often short on quality and made up for that with low prices and bags of kit. That’s not the case with these new models. Apart from an established name, they seem to pretty much have it all.

Click here for our list of the cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK...

Editor-in-chief

Steve Fowler has been editor-in-chief of Auto Express since 2011 and is responsible for all editorial content across the website and magazine. He has previously edited What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Recommended

BYD is coming: Chinese EV maker to expand European operations with new factory
BYD Dolphin - front grille
News

BYD is coming: Chinese EV maker to expand European operations with new factory

Hungary will be BYD's “centre of European production”
22 Dec 2023
KG Mobility gets green light to use BYD batteries
KG Mobility electric pick-up truck on display at motor show
News

KG Mobility gets green light to use BYD batteries

Battery supplier boost for KG Mobility, the brand formerly known as SsangYong
3 Nov 2023
Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars
Auto Express Munich Motor Show 2023 guide header image
News

Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars

This year's Munich Motor Show saw big reveals from BMW, Cupra, Mercedes, MINI, Renault, Tesla and Volkswagen
6 Sep 2023
BYD to drop ‘Build your dreams’ badging
BYD Atto 3 - rear badge
News

BYD to drop ‘Build your dreams’ badging

BYD has reacted to customer feedback and will drop the controversial ‘Build your dreams’ badging from the rear of the Atto 3 and Seal, but it will rem…
30 Aug 2023

Most Popular

Ford Transit Custom vs Vauxhall Vivaro: who makes the better mid-size van?
FordFord Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro - face-to-face static (doors closed)
Car group tests

Ford Transit Custom vs Vauxhall Vivaro: who makes the better mid-size van?

Commercial vehicle sales are just as crucial to Ford and Vauxhall as cars. We run the rule over their panel vans
27 Dec 2023
New Range Rover Electric shaping up to be the brand’s most luxurious SUV ever
Range Rover EV - exclusive image
News

New Range Rover Electric shaping up to be the brand’s most luxurious SUV ever

The new Range Rover Electric is due to go on sale in 2024 and our exclusive image previews how it could look
27 Dec 2023
What are your toy cars worth now? Rare diecast models and iconic vintage collectables valued
Toy car feature - header
Features

What are your toy cars worth now? Rare diecast models and iconic vintage collectables valued

Many of us used to receive model cars at Christmas as kids. We discover the big business of buying and selling these toys today
23 Dec 2023