I went to the 2025 Greater Bay Area Auto show to explore the new Ultra affordable cars Made in China, good looking and with a lot of tech inside!
Rafa explores China's ultra-affordable cars at the 2025 Auto Show, discovering $7,000 EVs with surprising tech, comfort and range.
Rafa Goes Around! takes us to the 2025 Greater Bay Area Auto Show to see how China's ultra-affordable cars look and feel in person. From the $7,000 BYD Seagull to the quirky Chery QQ Ice Cream, he finds these tiny EVs packed with surprising tech and quality. It’s a fun look at how China is rewriting the rules of budget car design, making once-laughable competitors into global contenders.
I went to the 2025 Greater Bay Area Auto show to explore the new Ultra affordable cars Made in China, good looking and with a lot of tech inside! #China #Chinatech #chinesecars #cars #autoshow
Ultra-Affordable Chinese Cars: BYD, Cherry & More at 2025 Auto Show
Embark on a journey to the Greater Bay Area Auto Show, where Rafa Goes Around! discovers the future of ultra-affordable cars. Witness cutting-edge Chinese automotive technology and design, proving that style and innovation are no longer exclusive to high-end vehicles. This is a must-see for any car enthusiast or anyone curious about China's rapidly advancing manufacturing prowess.
Attractions in this video: Greater Bay Area Auto Show, Shenzhen
In this video, Rafa Goes Around! visits the 2025 Greater Bay Area Auto Show in Shenzhen to examine the rapidly growing segment of ultra-affordable cars in China, a market that has come a long way from the days when Elon Musk laughed at BYD. Now, with BYD surpassing Tesla in revenue and China becoming the world's largest auto exporter, the narrative has completely flipped.
Rafa starts by highlighting the BYD Seagull, a hatchback priced at around $7,000 US, which offers up to 305 km of range and features like electric seats, a central screen, and a wireless charger—features rarely seen at this price point in Western markets. He then looks at the Chery QQ Ice Cream, a tiny $5,200 EV that comes with dual screens, air conditioning, and a sound system. While basic, it’s become especially popular with younger drivers and women in China.
The video also highlights the Jack Uway 3, a $10,000 EV with up to 505 km of range, electric seats, and a surprisingly premium interior finish. Rafa tackles the key question: how can Chinese companies make cars so cheap? The secret lies in economies of scale, localized battery supply chains, and strong government incentives.
Next, he showcases the Beijing BJ30, a hybrid SUV for just $13,000 that comes with accessories for outdoor activities, a fold-out table, and up to 1,000 km of driving range. It’s clearly inspired by the Ford Bronco and Hummer, but at a fraction of the cost. Then there’s the Aura Ballet Cat from Great Wall Motors, a retro-styled EV that looks uncannily like the classic Volkswagen Beetle, complete with vintage AC knobs, a helm-like steering wheel, and LED-lit vanity mirrors. It's priced between $28,000 and $33,000—proof that Chinese brands aren't just cheap; they're also stylish.
Beyond looks, Rafa notes that affordable Chinese cars consistently include features like rear cameras, touchscreens, keyless entry, and voice control—features often absent in similarly priced Western or Japanese models. The Dongfeng Nami, a modern hatchback, and the Gomi Panda Mini, a boxy two-door EV, further show how the micro-EV segment is exploding in popularity, especially among young people commuting in big cities like Shenzhen.
Finally, Rafa looks at the Arfox Koala S, a family-oriented EV with a massive sunroof, plenty of backseat space, and a 500 km range for just $15,000. The video wraps up noting that no country produces or sells more cars than China, with local brands offering models as low as $7,000. As US automakers now view Chinese EVs as a serious threat, Rafa’s tour of these ultra-affordable cars makes one thing clear: China isn't just catching up—it's leading the charge.
