--- title: "Three-Quarters of US Auto Execs Think Chinese Cars Will Be Sold Here" date: "2025-05-13" modified: "2025-05-13" authors: - name: "Byron Hurd" job_title: "Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/three-quarters-of-us-auto-execs-think-chinese-cars-will-be-sold-here" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "News" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" --- # Three-Quarters of US Auto Execs Think Chinese Cars Will Be Sold Here ![New cars park at Changan Automobile Distribution Center in Chongqing, China, on February 10, 2025.]() *New cars park at Changan Automobile Distribution Center in Chongqing, China, on February 10, 2025. \Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images\* The automotive manufacturing landscape has shifted rapidly over the past decade. However, even those who predicted the rise of Tesla and the shift toward electrification likely didn't envision a future where America would be staring down an inevitable shift to Chinese electric cars. According to a recent survey of more than 100 U.S. automotive executives, it's not a matter of whether Chinese automakers will enter the U.S. market but *when*. We're not talking about a slim margin of worrywarts, here, either. Of the bosses who responded to [Kerrigan Advisors' 2025 OEM Survey](), more than three-fourths (76 percent) said they believed Chinese cars would eventually enter the U.S. market. And separately, 70 percent of respondents said they were concerned about the financial impact of China's growing dominance in the global automotive market. Reading between the lines, six percent of respondents believe China's automotive invasion is inevitable, but don't find it financially concerning—or perhaps, more realistically, five percent plus Elon Musk. It's worth noting that the survey did not elaborate on its definition of "executive," though it makes clear that the pool surveyed works directly with OEM, meaning automakers and not other areas of the automotive industry. Whether these are medium-level "account executives" or C-Suite decision-makers. Either way, the sentiment on Chinese cars arriving in the U.S. seems to be shared across the board. It's also important to note that Kerrigan Advisors conducted this survey before the administration announced its [tariff]() plans—the first time, presumably—but automakers have shown reluctance to make any significant moves based on the president's threatened levies, even against [close trade allies](). At most, importers are pressing "pause" on [some of their U.S. programs](). After all, the typical [development cycle for a car]() is longer than a single presidential term. So while the next four years may prove hostile enough to EVs and other automotive ventures to help stave off immediate pressure to import cheaper Chinese electric cars, it's being accelerated elsewhere in the world. Governments that might otherwise engage in a hard-line protectionist stance against Chinese manufacturing have been caving one by one in the face of rising consumer costs and the simple fact that China has [committed itself]() to being the [most prolific manufacturer]() of EVs on the planet. Simply put, [it's working](), and everybody has noticed. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()