Who remembers the trade wars between China and the US, which were exacerbated by then-American President Donald Trump? Well as a tech enthusiast, who was in love with a certain cellphone brand at the peak of the trade wars, I must say, the ripple effects of that war affected me greatly. My smartphone of choice suddenly could not access some of the systems only made by Americans because it was a Chinese product. I vowed then never to lust over Chinese tech or products that need universal software ever again.
However, my vow to only touch major Chinese products with a 10 ft pole didn’t even last a decade as i found myself 6 years later lusting over their cars. Haval came into the market with a marketing and PR budget that I presume is equivalent to the budgets of some countries. The way cars were dished to influencers left right and centre left my head spinning so much I don’t even remember the number of people I know who received Haval cars as influncers. In Zimbabwe, I remember a songstress named Tamy Moyo receiving a Haval and I don’t remember the people who received similar cars in South Africa. However, Haval made headway, giving away cars, and running expensive ads on X(formerly known as Twitter) I would lust over their SUVs for some time but alas I couldn’t afford a Haval.
Then Omoda entered the group chat (market) and of course, they too have been on a gifting spree, giving influencers cars and running paid ads. If you just go on Google you will see so many articles comparing some Omoda Models to Haval Models especially the Chery Omoda 5 and a Haval Jolion. This means Omoda has successfully activated their beast mode and it’s only a matter of time before their cars grace more countries in Africa like Haval.
In case you want to know more about these Chinese Makes, here are 3 interesting things about them:
Haval:
- Haval is a Chinese automotive brand owned by Great Wall Motors, specializing in SUVs and crossovers. Haval has expanded its presence internationally, aiming to compete with established global brands in the SUV market.
- Haval has made great strides in incorporating advanced technology into its cars. Recent models incorporate advanced technology such as smart connectivity features and efficient powertrains. They have continuously improved their vehicle design and engineering, with a focus on meeting global standards for safety and environmental performance
- Haval SUVs have received awards for design, safety, and performance in various markets.
Omoda
- Omoda cars are designed to be affordable and accessible to a wide range of customers in many parts of the globe including in Nigeria, South Africa and other African countries.
- Omoda emphasizes local manufacturing and assembly, supporting local economies and job creation while offering customization options to suit specific regional requirements and customer preferences.
- In April 2024, Omoda sold 2000+. Units in South Africa, it outsold brands like Nissan, Kia and Renault and ended the month in 6th place just below industry gurus like Ford and Hyundai.
This totally shows the dedication of Chinese Car Manufacturers to making their products accessible in more markets globally offering, the same conveniences as the convenience we saw from other makes like Toyota and Volkswagen.