German EVS lead quality perception in key markets

BERLIN: German carmakers are widely regarded as producing the highest-quality electric vehicles (EVs), even outside their home market, according to an international survey commissioned by the consulting firm BearingPoint.

In the poll, released on Tuesday, consumers in the United States, China, France and Germany rated German brands highest for trust in EV quality, ahead of competitors from other countries.

"We were surprised to see German manufacturers clearly emerge on top," said Manuel Schuler, global automotive lead at BearingPoint.

Depending on the market, German brands led by three to seven percentage points, which Schuler attributes in part to their strong legacy image built over decades.

While some local brands ranked highest individually - such as BYD in China and Honda in the US - German brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche consistently followed closely and outperformed most rivals.

In France and Germany, German brands topped the list.

Chinese manufacturers, despite strong technical offerings, struggled with consumer trust abroad, according to Schuler.

BYD ranked last in France and near the bottom in Germany, reflecting concerns about long-term support and data privacy.

"Customers are uncertain whether the manufacturer will still exist in a few years and if they will have a contact person for service and repairs," Schuler said.