In China, a Luxury Car Means Comfort Features, Not Handling
At the Paris Motor Show, Chinese brands pitched interior comfort while buyers praised the value.
WSJ What's News · Have U.S. Cars Lost Their Edge?In China, luxury in a car means massage seats, big screens, and cooling boxes, not how it handles on a curve.
That is how Stephen Wilmot, a Wall Street Journal reporter at the Paris Motor Show, described the difference. He said many Chinese luxury labels had arrived at the show, and China's idea of luxury is about internal comforts, while German makers built their names on driving and handling quality.
Wilmot said he talked with some buyers, and the idea kept coming up: "amazing value for money."
Separately, Britain's top seller last month was Jaecoo, a Chinese brand made by Chery, selling for about half the price. Wilmot said it has become very popular in Britain partly by borrowing the styling of Range Rover.
Questions people ask
Why would Chinese buyers care more about massage seats than handling?
In much of China, wealthy owners are often driven by a driver, so the back seat matters more than steering feel. That puts a premium on reclining seats, legroom, screens, and quiet cabins that make time in traffic comfortable and productive.
Do German luxury cars offer these comfort features too?
Yes, German brands offer massage seats, rear screens, and refrigerated consoles, usually as costly options on top models. The difference is emphasis and price. Chinese brands tend to make that comfort tech standard and central, at much lower prices.