Trust in U.S. Autos Plunges as Chinese EVs Dominate Europe

- Interest in U.S. automotive brands in Europe drops sharply from 51% to 44%, as per new research. - Chinese automakers like BYD surge to 47%, driven by affordability, trust, and EV market momentum. U.S. auto brands are losing their reputation in Europe as Chinese automakers rapidly gain favor. This significant shift in consumer sentiment stems from rising geopolitical tensions, trade policies, and affordability concerns. On September 24, 2025, market research firm Escalent reported a significant decline in European consideration of U.S. vehicles. The firm conducted its research between May 21 and July 31, during which interest in American cars fell from 51% to 44%, while favorability toward Chinese brands surged from 31% to 47%. Trust disparities are another key factor shaping this trend, as the study revealed that consumer trust in U.S. products fell from 31% to just 24%. Meanwhile, trust in goods from China, Japan, and Korea grew notably. This tectonic shift is most evident in the European electric vehicle (EV) sector. Chinese automaker BYD, for instance, recorded 13,503 new EV registrations in July—a remarkable 225% year-over-year increase. In contrast, American EV giant Tesla registered 8,837 new vehicles in the same month, reflecting a steep 40.2% drop. Although the European EV market is growing overall, U.S. brands are steadily losing market share to Chinese competitors. Analysts attribute this trend primarily to the affordability of Chinese vehicles, which European consumers increasingly view as trustworthy and financially accessible. This perception has bolstered the competitive position of Chinese automakers, especially in the booming EV segment. On September 24, CoinMarketCap reported that Tesla (TSLA) was trading at $256.83 as of 12:00 UTC. The company's 24-hour trading volume has increased by 3.1%.