Chinese automakers are not yet selling their models in the US on a mass scale, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. One of the most illustrative examples is the Geely holding company, which has built a complex network of assets around the American market in recent years.
Geely controls about 80% of Volvo Cars shares, owns the Polestar and Lotus Cars brands, and has stakes in Mercedes-Benz Group and Aston Martin. Formally, these are European brands, but the infrastructure can already play into the hands of Chinese business.
Of particular interest is the Volvo plant in Charleston. The enterprise is designed for approximately 150,000 cars per year, but is currently operating at less than 20% capacity. Against this backdrop, Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson did not rule out local production of Chinese-origin cars in the US.
For Geely, this is a potential workaround: a ready-made dealer network, service infrastructure, and local assembly reduce dependence on import duties. Especially against the backdrop of Donald Trump's statements about his readiness to allow Chinese companies into the US provided they create jobs.
Another possible player is the premium brand Zeekr. So far, it has a limited presence in America: Waymo autonomous shuttles already use the Zeekr platform. But analysts consider this brand to be the main candidate for Geely's full-fledged entry into the US.
Significantly, even Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley previously admitted that Chinese cars today surpass Western competitors in technology, cost, and quality. And that is precisely why the American market is being protected with tariffs and restrictions.
The situation is becoming paradoxical: the US is strengthening barriers against Chinese cars, but Chinese automakers are already partially integrated into the local automotive ecosystem through European brands, factories, and service networks.