German consumers prefer electric cars from German manufacturers over Chinese brands, according to a study by the consultancy firm Bearing Point and the Handelsblatt Research Institute.
The released attractiveness index for electric cars revealed that German car giants Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz secured the first, second, and third positions, respectively.
Meanwhile, despite their lower average prices, the Chinese brands MG, BYD, and GWM performed the weakest.
The survey interviewed 2,042 people in Germany on behalf of Bearing Point and the Handelsblatt Research Institute between May 15-17. The index was based on the statements of drivers who either own or plan to purchase an electric vehicle.
Price was cited as the most crucial factor at 62%, but potential customers also indicated that they would give nearly equal consideration to factors such as range, electricity costs, and brand quality.
According to the study, Volkswagen is offering the best overall package, though it only leads in a few of the study’s individual categories.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW are noted for innovation, with BMW ranking 7th overall behind Tesla, Porsche, and Hyundai.
Opel and Renault follow with lower average prices, while Chinese brands as well as Tesla struggle with trust in quality, the study showed.
Handelsblatt Research Institute analyst Sven Jung said that Tesla is no longer the benchmark for electric mobility, as German manufacturers have surpassed Tesla in technical aspects and benefit from strong brands and extensive service networks.
However, Bearing Point expert Manuel Schuler cautioned that this position was not guaranteed.
#Credit: DPA
