In Mexico, Chinese cars are being seen as more premium alternatives, with sales rising. Audi and Mercedes Benz sales in Mexico dropped by 21.9 percent and 9.8 percent respectively. Buyers are moving away from luxury sedans and into cheaper options, as well as EVs. The history of premium cars and how they're perceived is fascinating, and one which shifts over time. Once, not too long ago, Japanese cars were considered inferior to their European counterparts.
And yet, as time went on, those brands started to become more recognized, with Lexus being the brightest example of a successful Japanese premium brand. Could the same transition be about to happen with Chinese cars today? Well, Chinese-made cars are priced out of the market in the US, and incoming President Donald Trump's promise to impose even higher tariffs means that entering America will become practically prohibitive, unless they establish local factories. However, evidence from across the border in Mexico may serve as evidence to back this theory up. The country's premium segment has long been dominated by high-end brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. But the rise of Chinese brands reflects a shift in consumer preferences driven by a mix of affordability, technology, and comfort. Read: In Echoes Of Beetle, VW Might Move Golf Production To Mexico According to the Mexican Association of Automotive Distributors (AMDA), luxury car sales dropped by 8.1 percent from January to November, with Audi and Mercedes-Benz taking hits of 21.9 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, BMW’s sales stagnated in one of Latin America’s largest economies.A New Challenger on the BlockWhile these established players struggled, Chinese brands made bold moves. Motornation, representing names like BAIC, JMC, and Changan, saw an 8.8 percent rise in sales during the same period. Jetour, a relatively new contender, skyrocketed with a staggering 131 percent increase. Now, Chinese brands control