Notice to Detroit: Chinese EV Impresses US Testers
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A new evaluation by the car-shopping website Edmunds has highlighted a Chinese-made SUV that could present serious competition for American automakers if it were ever sold in the United States.
Edmunds recently tested the Geely Galaxy M9, a three-row plug-in hybrid SUV currently sold in China for roughly $25,000. The vehicle was put through the outlet’s full 227-point testing process in Los Angeles, and reviewers came away impressed with what they found.
According to Edmunds editor-in-chief Alistair Weaver, several of the SUV’s features appear to surpass what is commonly found in vehicles currently sold in the U.S. market. He noted that the technology in the vehicle stood out during testing.
The Galaxy M9’s performance numbers were also notable. The SUV is estimated to deliver a total driving range of about 808 miles, including around 100 miles powered purely by electricity. Those figures exceed what many comparable vehicles available in the U.S. currently offer.
Chinese vehicles are largely unavailable to American buyers due to tariffs and other trade barriers. However, Edmunds suggested that if those restrictions were removed, the Galaxy M9 could be competitive even if its price doubled compared with its starting price in China.
Reviewers also pointed to the hybrid system as a key advantage. The extended electric range allows for substantial driving without using gasoline, while the gasoline engine can extend total range for long trips. Edmunds said that combination could make the vehicle appealing to drivers who remain hesitant about fully electric cars.
If Chinese automaker Geely were eventually able to sell vehicles in the U.S. market, Edmunds concluded that the Galaxy M9 could find strong demand among American buyers.
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