Auto China gives foreigners a look at cars barred from US

At Auto China, which opened on Friday, 34-year-old Ethan Robertson shepherded more than a dozen people from Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere through sprawling halls packed with electric SUVs, pickup trucks and futuristic concept cars — offering an up-close look at the vehicles making China’s auto industry increasingly hard to ignore.

- JU-MIN PARK

The North Carolina native is the co-founder of Wheelsboy, a YouTube channel specialising in Chinese cars for English-speaking audiences. For many on his tour, the appeal of the vehicles was obvious: low prices, advanced technology and plenty of variety.

'US WON'T ALLOW THIS CAR'

At one booth, he showed off a luxury electric SUV from Stellantis-backed Leapmotor, which sports wide screens and a fridge in the back seat.

"You're looking at a car that’s maybe $30,000 and that car is fully equipped," he said. “Whereas $30,000 barely gets you into any electric vehicle or hybrid” in the United States.

That price difference is a big reason why his largely American audience reacts with a mix of fascination and frustration.