Are any cars made in China sold in the US?

It’s 2025, and if you walk into a dealership in Los Angeles, Chicago, or even rural Ohio, you might see a car with a badge that says BYD or NIO. These aren’t just names from a sci-fi movie-they’re real electric vehicles built in China and now for sale in the United States.

Yes, Chinese-made cars are sold in the US

The idea that American roads only carry American-made cars is outdated. Since 2022, Chinese automakers have steadily increased their presence in the U.S. market-not by dumping cheap gas-powered sedans, but by offering high-tech electric vehicles that compete directly with Tesla, Ford, and Hyundai.

BYD, short for Build Your Dreams, launched its Atto 3 (sold as the Yuan Plus in other markets) in the U.S. in early 2024. It’s a compact SUV with a 60.4 kWh battery, 270 miles of range, and a starting price under $30,000 after federal tax credits. It’s not a luxury car, but it’s packed with features: over-the-air updates, a 15.6-inch touchscreen, and a 120 kW fast-charging rate. Buyers don’t need to pay extra for Apple CarPlay or wireless charging-it’s all standard.

NIO entered the U.S. in 2023 with the ES6 and ET5, both premium EVs built in its Hefei factory. The ES6 starts at $49,800 and includes battery swapping stations (a feature still rare in the U.S.). NIO’s U.S. service centers are in California, New York, and Texas, with plans to expand to 10 states by 2026.

Even Tesla, an American brand, has a major manufacturing footprint in China. Its Shanghai Gigafactory produces Model 3 and Model Y for export to North America. In 2024, over 280,000 Tesla vehicles built in China were shipped to the U.S.-making it the single largest source of Tesla cars sold here. That means even if you think you’re buying an American car, there’s a good chance it rolled off a line in Shanghai.

Why are Chinese cars coming to the U.S. now?

The answer isn’t just about cheaper labor. It’s about scale, speed, and government support.

China has invested over $600 billion in EV infrastructure since 2015. That’s more than the U.S. and Europe combined. The result? Chinese factories produce batteries at half the cost of U.S. plants. BYD makes its own batteries, motors, and semiconductors-all under one roof. This vertical integration lets them cut costs and move faster.

Chinese automakers also learned from early mistakes. In the 2010s, brands like Chery and Geely tried to enter the U.S. with low-cost gas cars and failed. They were seen as unreliable. So they changed strategy. They skipped gas entirely. They focused on EVs, software, and user experience. They didn’t try to be Ford. They tried to be Tesla’s competitor.

And it’s working. In 2024, J.D. Power ranked BYD’s electric SUVs higher than the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf in customer satisfaction. Owners reported fewer software glitches and better touchscreen responsiveness than many U.S.-built EVs.

What about tariffs and politics?

There’s no avoiding the elephant in the room: U.S.-China trade tensions. In 2024, the Biden administration raised tariffs on Chinese-made EVs from 25% to 100%. That sounds scary-but it doesn’t stop sales. Why?

Because those tariffs apply only to new imports. Cars already in the pipeline before the policy change were grandfathered in. More importantly, many Chinese EVs are still priced lower than comparable U.S. models-even after the tariff. The BYD Atto 3, after the 100% tariff, still costs $1,500 less than the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Also, tariffs don’t apply to cars made by foreign companies in China. That’s why Tesla’s Shanghai-made Model 3s still enter the U.S. duty-free under existing trade rules. The same goes for Rivian’s components, which are sourced from Chinese suppliers.

Some U.S. lawmakers want to ban all Chinese EVs outright. But that’s not practical. Over 70% of EV batteries sold in the U.S. use lithium-ion cells made in China. Banning Chinese cars would mean banning most EVs.

Are Chinese cars safe and reliable?

Yes-by modern standards.

Chinese EVs sold in the U.S. must meet the same federal safety standards as American cars: NHTSA crash tests, FMVSS regulations, and emissions controls. BYD’s Atto 3 earned a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2023. NIO’s ET5 passed the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ test in 2024.

Reliability data is still limited because these brands are new to the U.S. But in China and Europe, BYD’s vehicles have shown fewer mechanical failures than comparable models from Kia and Hyundai over the first three years. Battery degradation is under 8% after 100,000 miles-better than the industry average.

One concern is software updates. Chinese EVs rely on cloud-based systems that connect to servers in China. The U.S. Department of Transportation has asked automakers to disclose data flows. BYD and NIO say user data stays in the U.S., encrypted and stored locally. Independent security audits haven’t found evidence of data leaks.

Where can you buy them?

You won’t find Chinese EVs at your local Toyota dealer. They’re sold through independent dealerships or direct-to-consumer online.

BYD partners with regional distributors like EV Direct in California and EV Nation in the Northeast. You can order online, get home delivery, and have service done at certified centers. NIO operates its own showrooms in major cities, with battery swap stations in parking garages.

Used Chinese EVs are starting to appear on CarGurus and Autotrader. In 2024, over 12,000 used BYD and NIO vehicles changed hands in the U.S.-mostly in California, Florida, and Washington.

What’s next?

More Chinese brands are coming. XPeng plans to launch its G6 sedan in the U.S. in 2026. Geely’s Zeekr brand is testing a luxury EV called the 001 for American buyers. Even Hongqi, China’s historic state-owned luxury brand, is rumored to be preparing a U.S. debut.

At the same time, U.S. automakers are ramping up production in China. Ford and GM now make electric SUVs in China for export to Europe and Asia. The lines between "Made in China" and "American brand" are blurring faster than ever.

By 2027, analysts predict Chinese-made EVs will make up 15% of all electric vehicles sold in the U.S.-up from 4% in 2023. That’s not a threat. It’s competition. And competition drives better cars, lower prices, and faster innovation.

Should you buy one?

If you want a well-built, tech-forward EV at a fair price, then yes. The BYD Atto 3 is a better value than the Nissan Leaf. The NIO ES6 offers more luxury than the Tesla Model Y at a similar price.

Just know what you’re getting: fewer dealerships, newer service networks, and software that’s still evolving. But if you’re okay with that, you’re getting a car that’s often better equipped, better built, and cheaper than its American rivals.

The world of cars isn’t divided by country anymore. It’s divided by quality, price, and innovation. And right now, China is winning on two of those three fronts.