Chinese electric car brands spark privacy fears among older drivers in UK

Some 41% of radical aged 55 and supra person fears implicit information information and privateness risks erstwhile buying Chinese products, a canvass has found

The surge of Chinese electrical car brands into the UK marketplace is causing information information and privateness concerns among older consumers, according to a caller survey.

The poll, commissioned by online conveyance marketplace Auto Trader, revealed that 41% of individuals aged 55 and supra are apprehensive astir information information and privateness risks erstwhile purchasing Chinese products. Additionally, 43% of participants successful the aforesaid property bracket expressed doubts astir the prime of these goods.

However, the younger demographic, specifically those aged 17-34, showed the astir enactment with 57% being drawn to factors specified arsenic innovative technology and affordability. Chinese brands similar BYD, GWM and Omoda are making their people successful the UK automotive market. An Auto Trader study predicts that by 2030, Chinese companies could clasp up to 25% of the UK’s caller electrical conveyance market, coinciding with the Government's pledge to prohibition the merchantability of caller petrol and diesel cars.

Ian Plummer, commercialized manager astatine Auto Trader, commented: "Chinese brands are progressively pivotal players successful the UK’s electrical transition.Their quality to connection affordable, high-quality electrical vehicles is winning implicit the younger drivers who volition play a captious relation successful driving the wide adoption of electrical vehicles.

"But the emergence of Chinese brands comes with challenges. Consumers’ spot successful the prime and information of these caller entrants remains mixed, peculiarly among older buyers."

Dr Andy Palmer, erstwhile caput honcho of Aston Martin and Nissan's erstwhile operating chief, who founded Palmer Energy to supply assorted standard artillery solutions, said: "Smart electronics and AI bundle are a phenomena of our time, and proliferate into astir everything we own.

"For some, this has raised interest astir the maturation successful Chinese EVs and the hazard of spying. We should beryllium cognisant of the hazard but not property this lone to China and lone to EVs. The aforesaid functions tin beryllium connected interior combustion cars, and the hazard from phones is astir apt greater."

– The nationally typical survey of 3,985 UK consumers was conducted by probe institution QuMind successful November 2024.