When I was in China last summer, every taxi I used was an electric car. By far, the worst of these was a Tesla Model 3. You can buy serious luxury vehicles for really very little money compared to western manufacturers. Not electric car specific, but for me, the most impressive thing is that the mapping apps are all synchronised with the traffic light systems.

It’s a nice car but it’s nowhere near as nice as Rolls Royce. You’re not doing your argument any favors by exaggerating this much.

However, I agree that Chinese EVs are a serious competition to other EVs.

Fair, a more apt comparison is the Hongqi E-HS9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4d_-W23mgc

But on a driver experience feature-by-feature comparison the Li-L9 actually competes with a Rolls Royce:

- flat vertical reclinable seats

- 9 point massage chairs

- Heads up display

- advanced self-driving with LIDAR

- chamber to heat and cool food

- OLED back passenger screens with gesture control

- voice control of the vehicle

- quiet closing doors

This is maybe comparable to BMW series 7 or MB s class.

RR is about building each car for the given customer. There’s almost no limit to what you can wish.

I'm sorry but you don't seem to understand what Rolls Royce is really about. I know China is capable of producing quality if the proper price is paid but I seriously doubt anything like this: https://youtu.be/ZcFrFjl-RQs?t=617

Ok, they are not handcrafting fiber optics into the shapes of a star. But what I'm seeing in this video is a lot of argument from authority, posturing, pomp and inefficient bespoke manufacturing processes. When you actually look at the feature set and comfort quality you're getting from the interior of a Hongqi E-HS9... it's actually competitive if not better than a Rolls Royce. In fact the designer of the Hongqi E-HS9 used to work for Rolls Royce.

Can a Rolls Royce turn its wheels 90 degrees to park sideways? Does it have advanced LIDAR self-driving?

Yes China is able to produce tacky designs and fill out a spec sheet just like it has done in tech for decades. Thats not why customers buy Rolls Royce. In fact based on your wording it seems like the point has gone completely over your head.

I don't think anything in life is better than sitting in a Rolls Royce, apart from say having a kid (but even that's debatable lol)

There are zero buttons on the center console. That car would never be considered as an option for me.

And will probably look like trash in 5 years due to the headliner drooping, fabric fraying, electronics crapping out, etc.

Also good luck getting any replacement parts down the road wherever you live.

You sound like Americans talking about Japanese cars 30 years ago.

And then once Australians revered Toyota as the choice of farm utes (Hilux) and bush bashers (Landcruiser, etc), we railed on the Korean brands. And now that the Korean brands have found their place, the Chinese brands cop it next.

Japan makes nice things though. Also the corolla is 60 years old and still a fantastic car.

That's the thing, back in the day Jaoanesd manufacturing was subject to the same silly narrative you mentioned - "yeah, it's low quality stuff, in a few years it will look like crap, etc".

It was bullshit then, and it is bullshit now. Ik fairness, I heard great reports from people that bought Chinese EVs in terms of overall quality.

Perhaps ironically, there were many reports of Teslas actually having issues with poor fit and finishing.

Sorry but this is cope. Why do you assume the build quality must be disastrously bad? In Australia where there is no tariff on Chinese EV's there are many Chinese vehicles on the road now -- this logically suggests an expansion of repair support will trickle into Australia also.

China is not just beating the U.S. on price, they are beating their manufacturers on quality and features. I'm not suggesting Toyota levels of reliability yet, but Tesla doesn't have a track record of reliability either. These Chinese EV's are easily as good as a Tesla, and better given advanced features like LIDAR that Elon cut from Tesla's.

BYD offers great warranties that are 6-10 years where I’m at. And lifetime for some battery details.

Cool, my made in china wrench comes with a lifetime warranty too! I feel safe knowing it's the last i'll ever need!

What? You literally just go to the dealership and they make the changes for you.

"Make the changes"... Lol, here's someone who has never owned a car.

[citation needed] You're making extraordinary claims.