STORY: American YouTuber Ethan Robertson has his hands full at the Beijing Auto Show on Friday.
He's giving more than a dozen foreign visitors a first-hand look at Chinese high-tech cars.
Robertson is the co-founder of YouTube channel Wheelsboy, which specializes in Chinese cars for English-speaking audiences.
The North Carolina native, who lives in China, said the perception of Chinese cars among U.S. viewers has changed in the six years he has been covering the industry.
"We have a very diverse and international audience but our largest portion of our audience online is Americans. I would say that Americans' response in general to Chinese cars is: why can't I buy this? Our comments section is full of people saying things like: I can't believe the government won't allow them to sell this car in my country. It's so cheap, it's so high-tech. It seems so nice."
The prices are a big reason why his largely American audience react with a mix of fascination and frustration.
"So you're looking at a car that's maybe $30,000 as you say, and that car is fully equipped with, six-seat SUV, with an extended range powertrain, a refrigerator, a TV in the back, giant screens//whereas in places like the United States unfortunately, the market, $30,000 barely gets you into any electric vehicle or hybrid at that price point."
Lei Xing, who hosts the China EVs & More Podcast, is hopeful that Chinese cars will eventually reach American shores.
"Depending on what the Xi-Trump summit, what the outcome of that is, I think we could see this narrative go into a different direction. // But long term, like I said, it's a matter of time. If it's not by 2028, it could be by 2030. It could be in the 2030s. I know in my life, I'm going to be able to buy a Chinese EV in the U.S."
